Ten established nonprofits that offer free or low-cost help with resumes, mentoring, and job connections as you move from uniform to a civilian paycheck.
The short version
Plenty of nonprofits help service members and veterans find civilian work, and most charge nothing. This list gathers 10 that are established and currently operating, covering resume coaching, mentoring, training, and hiring events. It is not a ranking, and listing a group here is not an endorsement. Programs and eligibility change, so confirm the current details on each org's own site before you commit time.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor VETS
How to use this list
These are vetted nonprofits that generally offer their services free or at low cost to the military community. They are listed alphabetically, not ranked, and no single group fits everyone. VetraFi does not endorse any organization here, and inclusion is informational only. A 501(c)(3) status, a Charity Navigator rating, or a GuideStar seal can help you size up a group, but confirm the current program, cost, and eligibility on the official site before you lean on it.
The 10 organizations
- American Corporate Partners (ACP): Pairs veterans and active-duty spouses with a professional mentor from a major company for a yearlong, one-on-one mentorship at no cost. Good fit if you want steady career guidance instead of a quick fix. Eligibility generally covers post-9/11 veterans and certain spouses, so check the criteria and apply on the ACP site.
- Corporate Gray: Runs free virtual and in-person military-friendly job fairs plus a job board that connect transitioning members, veterans, and spouses with employers. Good fit if you want to meet hiring companies directly. Start by registering for an upcoming job fair and uploading your resume on their site.
- FourBlock: Offers a free, cohort-based career readiness course, built with Columbia University, that teaches transition skills, networking, and how to translate your service into civilian terms. Good fit if you learn well in a structured program with peers. Sessions often run each fall and spring, so check the schedule and apply on their site.
- Hire Heroes USA: Provides free one-on-one career coaching, resume help, and interview prep for service members, veterans, and military spouses. Good fit if you want a personal coach to work your job search alongside you. Start by creating a free account and requesting a coach on their site.
- Hiring Our Heroes: A U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation program that runs hiring events and corporate fellowships connecting the military community with employers. Good fit if you want employer connections or a fellowship near your transition date. Start by browsing events and fellowship options on their site.
- Onward to Opportunity (IVMF): A free career training and certification program from Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, with tracks in fields like IT, business, and customer service. Good fit if you want an industry certification before you separate. Start by reviewing the learning pathways and enrolling on their site.
- RecruitMilitary (a DAV partner): Hosts free in-person and virtual career fairs and a job board for veterans, transitioning members, Guard and Reserve, and spouses, often in partnership with DAV. Good fit if you want to work hiring events across many cities. Start by finding an event and creating a candidate profile on their site.
- Still Serving Veterans: A 501(c)(3) that offers free career planning, resume and interview prep, and job search help, along with VA benefits counseling. Good fit if you want employment and benefits support in one place. Start by requesting services on their site.
- VetJobs: The employment program of the nonprofit Corporate America Supports You, offering free one-on-one placement help, resume work, and interview prep for the whole military family. Good fit if you want hands-on help landing a specific role. Start by connecting with an employment specialist on their site.
- Vets2Industry: A veteran-led 501(c)(3) that runs a large free resource library plus networking events, mentoring, and career tools. Good fit if you want many resources and connections gathered in one hub. Start by exploring the resource library on their site.
Do these cost anything?
Most charge nothing. The groups on this list generally provide their core services free to service members, veterans, and often military spouses. Some training or certification tracks may have limits or waitlists, so confirm the current cost and eligibility on the org's site.
Which one should I start with?
That depends on what you need. If you want a personal coach, a coaching-focused group can help; if you want to meet employers, a job-fair group may fit better; if you want a mentor, a mentorship program can match you. Many veterans use more than one at the same time. A strong LinkedIn profile helps no matter which one you pick.
Do they help military spouses?
Many do. Several of these organizations serve spouses alongside service members and veterans, though eligibility varies by program. Check each org's spouse eligibility before you apply.
Do they help with security-clearance jobs?
Some can. Cleared roles are common in defense and government contracting, and several job boards and hiring events on this list include employers hiring for cleared positions. Your clearance status and its currency still matter, so confirm requirements with the employer.
When should I start?
Earlier generally helps. Many programs, including DoD SkillBridge, are built for the months before you separate, and mentoring or training can take time to pay off. Starting about a year out gives you room to work the process.
Are these the only options?
No. This is a sample of 10 established groups, not a complete list. Your installation transition office, the Department of Labor, and the VA also connect you with employment help, and other reputable nonprofits exist.
Where to get help
Verification Notes
- All 10 organizations were confirmed active and operating as of July 2026 by checking each group's official website.
- Veterati, a free mentorship platform, was considered but excluded: it shut down in August 2024 and is no longer operating. Some successor platforms have appeared, but they fall outside the scope of this list.
- Programs, costs, and eligibility change often. Details like which spouses qualify, whether a certification track is open, and event schedules should be confirmed on each org's site before you rely on them.
- No outcome statistics or placement numbers are stated as claims here. Any figures a group publishes appear on its own site and can change.
Sources & links
VetraFi does not provide financial, investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. The content provided is for informational purposes only. You should consult your own advisors before engaging in any transaction.
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