Philanthropist and entrepreneur Morad Shaker has announced the public launch of the Shaker Foundation for American Service Heroes, a Wyoming nonprofit corporation headquartered in Cheyenne. The Foundation is notable for being entirely founder-funded: it will not solicit or accept donations from individuals, governments, political groups, religious groups, companies, organizations, or foreign entities. This self-funded model means the Foundation can operate independently, free from the pressures of fundraising cycles or donor expectations, and focus solely on its mission.
The Foundation's mission is to honor, recognize, and build future opportunities for America's military, veterans, first responders, public-safety personnel, government service communities, and their families. Its eligibility framework includes active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve personnel, veterans, Gold Star Families, federal law enforcement, homeland security personnel, intelligence professionals, state and local police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, corrections officers, and the families of these service heroes. By encompassing such a broad range of service communities, the Foundation acknowledges the diverse ways individuals contribute to national safety and security.
A key implication of this launch is its long-term, five-generation commitment. The Foundation is designed to support not only current service members but also those who served years ago and are now retired, discharged, disabled, or rebuilding life after service. This intergenerational approach ensures that service is valued indefinitely, and that retirees, veterans, and former first responders are not treated as an afterthought. When programs open, current and former eligible service heroes will be able to seek consideration through the same structured eligibility framework, subject to verification and program requirements.
The Foundation's future work is expected to include structured pathways related to recognition, family support, education support, emergency assistance, military and veteran support, and financial-stability planning. However, the Foundation is deliberately not making promises of automatic benefits, cash assistance, employment, placement, certification, or recognition. Each future opportunity will be communicated clearly, responsibly, and with appropriate eligibility requirements. This cautious approach suggests a commitment to responsible governance and realistic expectations.
More than 20 years ago, Shaker made a private decision to create an organization to honor and stand beside those who stand between America and danger. "This vision stayed with me for more than two decades," Shaker said. "I gave it time, planning, thought, and purpose. Now, in 2026 and 2027, the dream is beginning to become real." The Foundation's website remains under active development as it prepares additional legal documentation, administrative contact channels, and future communications. Its official website is https://www.shakerfoundationforamericanserviceheroes.org/.
The Foundation is one of eight nonprofit organizations founded and funded by Shaker, whose wider work includes humanitarian, educational, integrity, animal-protection, community, and international service initiatives. He is also leading Shaker Global Poverty Reduction, with its pilot program Operation Bangladesh preparing for its next stage. This launch adds a significant domestic focus to Shaker's philanthropic portfolio, specifically dedicated to the United States and its service heroes. The Foundation's founder-funded model could serve as an example of how private resources can be directed to support service communities without relying on public donations or government funding.
In a statement, Shaker expressed gratitude: "Our country is safer because of people most Americans will never meet. The soldier on duty, the veteran carrying the memory of service, the police officer on the night shift, the firefighter entering danger, the paramedic responding to an emergency, the corrections officer, the sheriff, the Border Patrol agent, the TSA officer, the federal investigator, and the families who stand behind them—we thank you. Your service matters. Your sacrifice matters. Your family matters. This Foundation exists because we want you to know that you have not been forgotten."
