Today, the non-profit Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) announced the establishment of the Janice B. Brittingham Endowment for Veteran Healing. The $3 million fund will be used to expand VETS’ capacity to provide Foundational Healing Grants to veterans seeking treatment with psychedelic-assisted therapies.
The endowment is made possible by a major gift from the estate of Janice B. Brittingham. Janice was born to Toby and Sarah Burks; her father was an Air Force officer who retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel. As an “Air Force brat,” Jan lived in many different locations while she was growing up, finally moving to Dallas, Texas, in her mid- 20’s where she met Robert M. Brittingham, whom she married soon after. She remained by his side for more than 30 years.
“Before my mother passed, she asked me to find the very best organization where her donation would do the most good for our vets and wounded warriors,” says Janice’s son, Jack Brittingham. “I believe I have fulfilled her wishes by placing her generous donation in the hands of VETS!”
The endowment is the largest gift that VETS has received since its founding in 2019. Since 2019, VETS has provided direct financial support and coaching to hundreds of U.S. Special Operations Forces veterans and their significant others struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, and substance use, with the goal of ending the ongoing epidemic of veteran suicide.
“VETS is incredibly honored to be chosen as the recipient of Janice Brittingham’s charitable endowment,” says VETS co-founder Amber Capone. “This gift will allow us to continue impacting the lives of U.S. veterans year after year, and her legacy will live on in perpetuity.”
In 2021, VETS awarded $431,662 in Foundational Healing Grants to 150 U.S. Special Operations Forces veterans and their spouses, along with 685 hours of individual integration coaching and 150 hours of group integration sessions. Applications for Foundational Healing Grants are now open .
About VETS
Founded in 2019, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to end the veteran suicide epidemic by providing resources, research, and advocacy for U.S. military veterans seeking psychedelic-assisted therapies for traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, and other health conditions. VETS envisions a world where our veterans have access to the most advanced healthcare options to heal from the mental and physical wounds of war.