Writing Sample: Business Executive Summary

Executive Summary of The Noble Cause Fund

July 22. 2003

In its 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, the Department of Defense stated that, "The Department must forge a new compact with its warfighters and those who support them." This report goes on to detail an extensive quality of care system, to include:

	A world-class health care system
	Eliminating inadequate housing by 2007
	Emphasizing life-long learning and connectivity with its members

These promises ring hollow when we consider the sobering fact that over 500,000 veterans are homeless in the United States. Despite endless speeches lauding the bravery and valor of the men and women in the United States Armed Forces, this country and its leaders have failed to honor the debt owed to those who risked their lives in defense of our freedom. The enormity of the problems facing many veterans is a hidden shame of a great nation. In addition to the physical wounds caused by the weapons of both our enemies and our own forces, U.S. veterans are subjected to the tremendous stresses of family disruption, societal readjustment and memories that may haunt and disable. Some are unable to cope, losing their place in society, losing their mental stability and losing their sobriety.

The result of such burdens is seen in the gruesome statistic cited above: Half a million homeless veterans roam the streets of our rich nation. Nearly as shocking is the suicide rate of the veteran population. Since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 more than 200,000 ex-military personnel have taken their own lives. Because many homeless suicides go unnoticed and unreported, that 200,000 figure is an underestimate. Most Americans would be unable to accept the image of the homeless, suicidal war hero, but that reality often goes unseen. Its effects, though, cannot be disguised by empty speeches and forgotten promises.

The support structure provided for veterans is grossly under-funded and under-staffed. The Veteran's Administration is capable of assisting only 40,000 people annually, less than 8% of the homeless veteran population. Even if funds were increased substantially, the V.A. simply doesn't have the trust of many ex-military people. It can take longer than six months to get an appointment in some V.A. hospitals, and the medical care offered frequently is viewed as insufficient. Sick, homeless and waiting for a physician to find an opening in his schedule, some veterans elect to end their lives.

The responsible path is to honor our commitments to our homeless veterans. We can do this by stabilizing their medical conditions, providing them with shelter, training them for a job and helping them to realize their rightful part of the American dream. Unfortunately, while our leaders rally us to war, they neglect to raise the budget of the Veteran's Administration, leaving our soldiers without a meaningful safety net. One can only feel disgust and disgrace at the specter of so many homeless veterans.

The Noble Cause Fund has been formed to address this sorrowful state. Apart from the V.A., there are a mere 200 smaller support groups throughout the entire United States. None of them has the capacity to raise enough money to impact the enormous challenges involved. The Noble Cause Fund intends to structure an organization to raise and distribute significant funding for all of these support groups, and to help create even more. Currently, there is no major fundraising entity devoted entirely to veterans. We believe that the government has failed in its responsibilities, and that it will continue to fail in the foreseeable future. Noble Cause is dedicated to accepting that responsibility and changing the lives of our veterans. Their lives are truly in our hands, and we ask that you be a part of this effort.

The structure of The Noble Cause Fund is that of a non-profit corporation. We are seeking the support and recognition of a number of distinguished Americans to serve in a variety of roles, including supervisory. We intend that all funds raised by Noble Cause should be under the control of an independent Board of Trustees. The administration of Nobel Cause will restrict its costs to 10% of any monies raised.

Noble Cause has started operating with initial donations from its founding members. To provide a more substantial source of revenue, The Noble Cause Fund is seeking both individual and corporate sponsorship. Aside from the true nobility of the Noble Cause enterprise, corporate association will earn the substantial benefit of public recognition for addressing a true societal stigma. Such sponsorship will be seen as genuinely noble.

After sponsorship is attained, The Noble Cause Fund will begin a national Public Service Announcement campaign. We have scripted an initial PSA to feature a recent military hero and a popular entertainer. It is our projection that such a PSA would earn a minimum of five million dollars, with a majority of the costs donated. Many powerful people in Hollywood have been exceptionally vocal in support of U.S. servicemen and women, and films depicting our courageous military have been tremendously well received. The American public has demonstrated a new love affair with its military, and we believe they will open their wallets generously when they learn the startling facts about our homeless veterans.

Future plans include a television series featuring the lives of different Medal of Honor winners. There are many wonderful stories waiting to be told to a public that truly wants to hear them. Noble Cause intends to get commitments from a minimum of 12 Medal of Honor winners. We believe this will be a tremendous source of revenue and will further support new PSA's and other fundraising initiatives such as large, regional concerts.

Obviously, our plans are great and our hopes are high. But no matter our success, the problems we attack are daunting and continue to grow each year. We ask that you join us in The Noble Cause Fund's efforts to reduce, and even eliminate the terrible problems our veterans face.

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