Combat Support Institute - CSI Combat Support Institute - CSI | Government Grant Application

Combat Support Institute - CSI | Application Preview

Combat Support Institute (CSI) is applying for a $500,000 government grant to launch and expand holistic support programs for U.S. military veterans and their families. The funds will go toward wellness retreats, adaptive therapy programs, accessible facilities, professional staffing, transportation, outreach, and core operations. Their mission is to offer evidence-based, faith-informed healing services that address not only the physical and mental health needs of veterans, but also their moral and spiritual injuries—areas often neglected by traditional systems like the VA.

The funding request breaks down as follows:

- $200,000 for direct program services like yoga, outdoor therapy, and subsidized access for low-income veterans. - $125,000 for leasing and improving facilities. - $100,000 to hire staff such as wellness instructors and case managers. - $50,000 for transportation and outreach. - $25,000 for administrative support.

CSI has a five-year plan to grow from a single hub into three fully operating centers across California, beginning with a Northern California site in Year 3 and expanding to Central and Southern California by Year 5. These facilities will serve as state-wide models of holistic veteran care, integrating direct services with research and policy advocacy.

Led by Dr. Neysa Holmes and a team of veterans and wellness professionals, CSI positions itself as a unique alternative to existing players like the VA and national nonprofits. Its edge lies in the integration of mind-body-spirit healing, emphasis on moral injury recovery, inclusion of families in the healing process, and a scalable, research-backed service model.

The case for funding is grounded in CSI’s ability to fill critical gaps in veteran care, deliver measurable community impact (reduced homelessness, suicide risk, family distress), and serve as a national leader in transforming veteran treatment practices. Their approach blends credibility, innovation, and deep compassion, creating not just services—but a long-term movement for change.

• General Information

  Business Registration Number: Combat Support Institute - CSI

  Location: Mendocino, CA, United States

  Length of Operation: 1-5

  Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees

  Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k

  Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k

  Open to Loans: YES

• Funding Usage

  Use of $500,000 in Funding – Combat Support Institute (CSI) Combat Support Institute (CSI) will apply $500,000 in funding to establish and expand its holistic programs for veterans, service members, and their families. Funds will be allocated to direct services, facilities, staffing, outreach, and operations as follows: 1. Program Services & Veteran Support – $200,000 (40%) Wellness retreats, outdoor therapy, yoga, and mindfulness programs. Supplies and adaptive equipment for veterans with physical and cognitive challenges. Subsidized participation for low-income veterans and families. 2. Property & Facilities – $125,000 (25%) Lease, purchase, or improvement of program space for retreats, therapy sessions, and educational activities. Utilities, maintenance, insurance, and accessibility modifications. 3. Personnel & Professional Services – $100,000 (20%) Salaries or stipends for program coordinators, wellness instructors, case managers, and administrative staff. Professional services for compliance, legal, accounting, and grant management. 4. Transportation & Outreach – $50,000 (10%) Vans or shuttles for veteran/family access to programs. Fuel, maintenance, and travel for outreach, community events, and research partnerships. 5. Administrative & Operational Costs – $25,000 (5%) Office supplies, computers, software, insurance, and licensing fees. Marketing, awareness campaigns, and communication tools. Summary: This $500,000 investment will allow CSI to launch sustainable, veteran-centered programs while building capacity for long-term impact. Every dollar will be directed toward advancing CSI’s charitable mission of healing, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

• Business Plan

  Five-Year Growth Plan – Combat Support Institute (CSI) Vision: Over the next five years, CSI will expand from a single service hub into a multi-site organization with three fully operational facilities in California. These centers will serve as flagship models of veteran healing, rehabilitation, and reintegration. Year 1: Foundation & Stability Secure 501(c)(3) status and establish strong governance. Launch core programs (wellness retreats, family support, research advocacy). Build donor base through grants, fundraising events, and strategic partnerships. Pilot services in temporary or leased space to demonstrate impact. Year 2: Strengthening Programs & Partnerships Expand service capacity and refine best practices based on pilot outcomes. Formalize partnerships with universities, VA hospitals, tribal communities, and local governments. Begin fundraising campaign specifically targeted toward facility development in California. Year 3: First Facility Launch (Northern California) Secure land or long-term lease for the first California site. Renovate or construct program space designed for retreats, outdoor therapy, and caregiver support. Establish full-time staff team on-site. Develop a research hub in collaboration with university partners. Year 4: Growth & Replication (Central California) Use lessons learned from the first facility to replicate operations in Central California. Increase staff training programs to build leadership pipelines. Scale donor and grant funding through demonstrated impact and measurable outcomes. Year 5: Expansion & Sustainability (Southern California) Open third facility in Southern California, ensuring statewide access. Launch a state-wide veteran wellness conference to solidify CSI as a leader in integrative veteran care. Diversify revenue with publications, training certifications, and long-term contracts with partner institutions. Establish sustainable funding streams for long-term viability across all three facilities. Summary: By Year 5, CSI will operate three dedicated facilities in California, each serving as a regional hub for veteran rehabilitation, family resilience, and holistic wellness. This growth will be sustained through diversified funding, strong partnerships, and measurable outcomes that demonstrate both community impact and national leadership in veteran care. Why Investors Should Invest in Combat Support Institute (CSI) 1. Unique & Urgent Mission CSI addresses one of the most pressing yet underserved national challenges: the rehabilitation and reintegration of U.S. combat veterans. While billions are spent on traditional VA systems, many veterans still lack effective, accessible care. CSI fills this critical gap with holistic, evidence-based, and faith-informed solutions that directly improve veteran and family outcomes. 2. Proven Leadership CSI is led by Dr. Neysa Holmes, Ph.D., and a team of veterans and professionals with decades of combined expertise in psychology, wellness, international program development, and military service. This unique leadership blend ensures both credibility and the ability to execute on a large scale. 3. Scalable Model CSI’s programs—wellness retreats, family support, outdoor therapy, and research collaborations—are designed to be replicable and sustainable. The five-year plan includes three California facilities, each serving as a hub that can be replicated nationwide. Early investment accelerates this growth. 4. Community & Policy Impact Investing in CSI is more than funding a nonprofit—it’s fueling systemic change. CSI’s advocacy, research, and partnerships with universities, tribal communities, and healthcare providers position it as a national voice for veteran care reform. 5. Strong Return on Mission While financial investors often look for profit, social impact investors and donors look for measurable change. CSI delivers: reduced veteran homelessness, improved family stability, lowered suicide risk, and stronger communities. Every dollar invested creates ripple effects across generations. In short: Investors should invest in you because you offer vision, credibility, a scalable model, and the chance to create lasting change for America’s veterans.

• Self Identified Competition

  Potential Competitors for CSI 1. Veterans Affairs (VA) Programs Why: The VA offers medical, mental health, and reintegration services, but many veterans report barriers (wait times, stigma, lack of holistic options). Relevance: CSI positions itself not as a replacement, but as a complementary, integrative solution filling gaps in VA care. 2. Large National Nonprofits Examples: Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Why: These groups have strong fundraising networks and brand recognition. They provide some wellness and advocacy, but often with a broad focus. Relevance: CSI differentiates by specializing in holistic healing, moral injury recovery, family resilience, and faith-informed practices—areas these larger organizations rarely emphasize in depth. 3. Regional Veteran Wellness Centers Examples: Local vet centers, state-based nonprofits, or university-affiliated veteran programs (e.g., UCLA Operation Mend, Stanford veteran health research). Why: They compete for grants, partnerships, and donor dollars. Relevance: CSI’s model integrates research + faith-based healing + family programs + policy advocacy, making it more comprehensive and scalable. 4. Private Sector & For-Profit Clinics Examples: Psychedelic therapy startups, private wellness retreats, or alternative medicine centers. Why: Some attract veterans with high-cost, out-of-pocket treatments. Relevance: CSI’s nonprofit approach ensures accessibility, equity, and affordability—serving veterans who would otherwise be excluded. Why CSI Stands Out Niche Expertise: Focus on moral injury, spiritual healing, and holistic reintegration. Integration: Combines wellness services, family programs, research, and advocacy under one roof. Scalability: Five-year plan for three California facilities shows vision beyond local impact. Credibility: Veteran-led and research-backed, with leadership that blends academic, professional, and lived combat experience. By framing competitors this way, you show funders that you understand the space—but also that CSI is not “duplicating services” but rather filling the critical gaps others leave behind. What Makes CSI Different 1. Holistic, Whole-Person Healing Competitors (VA, large nonprofits) often focus narrowly on medical treatment, benefits navigation, or specific services. CSI Difference: We integrate mind, body, and spirit — blending evidence-based practices (yoga, mindfulness, functional neurology) with faith-informed healing, outdoor therapy, and family resilience programs. 2. Moral Injury & Spiritual Care Most organizations avoid or overlook moral injury — the deep spiritual wounds from combat decisions and trauma. CSI Difference: We directly address moral injury with spiritual, therapeutic, and faith-centered approaches that honor veterans’ values and restore identity, not just manage symptoms. 3. Family-Centered Model Many veteran organizations primarily serve the individual veteran. CSI Difference: We recognize families and caregivers as critical to long-term healing. Our programs include spouse/caregiver workshops, children’s resilience training, and family retreats. 4. Research + Advocacy + Direct Services Most nonprofits either run programs or do policy work or conduct research. CSI Difference: CSI does all three — implementing services, documenting impact through research, and advocating for systemic change in veteran care at state and federal levels. 5. Scalable & Replicable Facilities Model Other groups are often location-bound or limited to one-off programs. CSI Difference: Our five-year growth plan creates three flagship facilities in California as hubs that can be replicated nationally, providing a clear roadmap for sustainable expansion. 6. Veteran-Led, Expert-Driven Leadership CSI is co-founded and guided by combat veterans and professionals with decades of experience in psychology, education, global consulting, and wellness. This blend of lived experience + professional expertise ensures programs are credible, culturally competent, and deeply effective. In summary: What makes CSI different is that we are not simply a “service provider” — we are a movement combining holistic healing, family resilience, spiritual restoration, evidence-based research, and national advocacy to transform how America supports its veterans.

• Contact Applicant

  Subscribe to our Administrator Dashboard to gain full access to this application. Learn More