Operation Debt
of Gratitude Donate now
Born Primitive Black Rifle Coffee Company

Operation Debt of Gratitude

Erase the debt.
Restore the future.

Operation Debt of Gratitude is a registered 501(c)(3) that pays off medical bills for U.S. veterans and first responders—restoring dignity, stability, and the opportunity to thrive.

Become a donor

Your donation multiplied 50x

Every dollar you donate will pay off $50 in qualifying veteran and first responder medical debt. How it works

Campaign impact dashboard

Our impact, year by year

How we report impact

Debt eliminated in 2024

$11M Our first campaign year

Debt eliminated in 2025

$35M 2025 campaign impact

2026 campaign goal

$250M Debt we aim to eliminate
2026 campaign progress will be published here after launch. All impact figures will be reported from verified campaign data.

A mission born from service

Standing with those who served.

Founded by former Navy SEAL and founder of Born Primitive, Bear Handlon, Operation Debt of Gratitude has paid off over $50 million in medical bills for over 25,000 veterans in the past two years via ForgiveCo, a public benefit corporation. This was made possible by the financial contributions from Born Primitive and Black Rifle Coffee Company, two veteran-owned brands.

About us

As seen on

The
mission.

Founder and former Navy SEAL Bear Handlon explains the mission live on Fox News.

Born Primitive Black Rifle Coffee Company

Mara’s story · U.S. Army veteran

$341,702 in medical debt erased.

Meet Mara, a U.S. Army veteran and Gold Star spouse from Denver, CO. After losing her husband in Iraq and surviving a devastating car accident, she was left with over $341,000 in medical debt—until now.

Because of Operation Debt of Gratitude, that burden is gone.

Watch Mara’s story on Instagram
View Mara’s story: $341,702 in medical debt erased on Instagram

In their own words

Stories of relief.

Real responses from veterans whose medical debt was eliminated.

It feels incredible—almost like a miracle

The debt was overwhelming, especially due to my medical situation. I suffered a spinal injury that left me temporarily paralyzed and didn’t really know what was going on. As a single father of three, this forgiveness allows me a fresh start and more peace of mind for future medical needs. It feels incredible—almost like a miracle, especially coming out of nowhere.
Wesley M.Fort Worth, TX · Marine Veteran
Debt paid off$182,896

This is such a blessing—a random act of kindness

Wiping out a debt of that size will have a positive effect on my credit. It will help me in the future and in the near term, such as looking for homes and buying a vehicle. This is incredibly positive. I don’t even know why I answered the phone, but I just can’t believe this. The amount of gratefulness I have right now! Debts can pile up on you, and this is such a blessing—a random act of kindness out of nowhere.
Samuel J.Everman, TX · Army Veteran
Debt paid off$23,397

It feels almost unbelievable

It feels almost unbelievable—I’m still processing it. It’s hard to believe it’s real. It means more financial freedom, less stress, and overall, it gives us back a little piece of our lives.
Bri K.TX · Army Veteran
Debt paid off$11,003

This unexpected relief feels like a breath of fresh air

For me, this forgiveness opens the door to finally rebuilding my credit. I hope it means I can eventually qualify for a VA loan to build a small home where I can live out my days and have something to pass on to my kids. Life is full of struggles, and this unexpected relief feels like a breath of fresh air, reminding us we’re not forgotten.
Toni B.De Kalb, TX · Marine Corps Veteran
Debt paid off$2,169

It’s uplifting to know there are people who haven’t forgotten us

For me, this debt forgiveness is a reminder that people out there still care about veterans and recognize the sacrifices we made. It’s uplifting to know there are people who haven’t forgotten us. It makes me proud to have served my country and grateful for this support.
Douglas G.Plainview, TX · US Navy Veteran
Debt paid off$1,096.48

Clear from start to finish

How relief happens.

  1. Funds committed

    Donations are committed to the mission and directed to the debt-relief process.

  2. Debt identified

    ForgiveCo identifies and verifies qualifying veteran and first responder medical debt portfolios.

  3. Debt eliminated

    Qualifying debt is purchased and permanently forgiven. Veteran or first responder balances become $0.

  4. Recipient notified

    Letters and communications notify beneficiaries that the burden is gone.

Accountability you can count on

Built for transparency.

Operation Debt of Gratitude sends 100% of your donation to ForgiveCo and does not take a single penny for operating expenses. ForgiveCo manages the qualifying debt-relief process, notifies the debt relief recipients, and provides the official impact statement.

Make an impact

Founding partners

One mission. A growing coalition.
Partner attribution remains separate from the campaign identity so the coalition can grow.

Start a conversation

Contact the mission.

Partnerships, press, campaign questions, or something else—we’ll route your message to the right person. Please note: Operation Debt of Gratitude works with lenders to pay off medical debt, not directly with veterans.

Your message will be sent to the Operation Debt of Gratitude team.