Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Professional services
UnclaimedIraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is a United States nonprofit that connects post-9/11 veterans with support services and advocates for veterans’ policy reform.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is a United States 501(c)(3) nonprofit veterans organization founded in 2004 by Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff. It was created in response to the practical and social difficulties encountered by veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including fragmented access to health care, employment and education barriers, homelessness, family pressures, psychological injuries, and the stigma surrounding mental-health treatment. The organization describes its mission as uniting, empowering, and connecting post-9/11 veterans through community, education, research, and advocacy. IAVA operates as both a membership community and a policy organization. Its membership is free and is open not only to post-9/11 veterans but also to veterans from other eras, military families, and civilian supporters. The organization is headquartered in New York City and maintains a policy presence in Washington, D.C., allowing it to combine direct member engagement with federal legislative advocacy. IAVA has reported a membership base of more than 425,000 people, although membership totals can change over time. A central part of IAVA’s work is nonpartisan advocacy before Congress and the executive branch. It publishes policy agendas and supports legislation concerning veterans’ education benefits, transition assistance, suicide prevention, military sexual assault, toxic exposures, women veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs reform, and access to medical care. Its frequently cited priorities have included combating suicide among troops and veterans, improving the VA for post-9/11 veterans, recognizing illnesses connected with burn pits and other airborne toxins, protecting the Post-9/11 GI Bill, improving services for women veterans, and supporting veterans who seek medical-cannabis treatment where legally available. The organization also provides practical assistance. Its Rapid Response Referral Program connects service members, veterans, and families with resources involving health care, housing, employment, finances, legal matters, and benefits. IAVA’s community-building work has included VetTogether gatherings and online activities intended to reduce isolation and create local peer networks. Research and member surveys are used to document the needs of post-9/11 veterans and to support policy recommendations. Topics covered in its research have included invisible wounds, employment and education after combat, housing instability, military families, women veterans, and administrative barriers to care. IAVA became a prominent voice in national veterans debates through frequent congressional testimony, media appearances, coalition work, and grassroots mobilization. It helped advocate for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and later education-benefit improvements, mandatory mental-health screening for returning service members, transition-to-employment legislation, suicide-prevention measures, and protections for veterans exposed to burn pits. It also worked with 9/11 first responders and survivor organizations on health and compensation legislation. In 2019, founder Paul Rieckhoff stepped down as chief executive and moved to the board; chief operating officer Jeremy Butler, a Navy veteran, succeeded him as CEO. IAVA’s identity is therefore built less around consumer products than around trusted veteran representation, peer connection, research, referral services, and legislative influence.
History
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America was established in 2004 by Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq War veteran who had served as an Army National Guard first lieutenant and infantry platoon leader. The organization emerged during the early years of the post-9/11 wars, when a new generation of veterans faced distinctive transition problems and often lacked a unified national voice. IAVA’s founding purpose was to create a community for these veterans while helping them obtain benefits, health care, employment assistance, education, and other forms of support. From its beginning, IAVA combined membership organizing with public policy work. Rather than functioning solely as a local service provider, it sought to represent post-9/11 veterans in Washington and to make their experiences visible in national discussions. The organization developed an advocacy model based on congressional meetings, testimony, media engagement, coalition building, member petitions, and an annual policy agenda. It also used surveys and issue research to identify obstacles confronting veterans and their families. Education and transition assistance became early priorities. IAVA supported the creation and expansion of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, including the landmark 2008 legislation and later improvements often referred to as the New GI Bill 2.0. It also backed the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which strengthened transition counseling and encouraged veteran employment. In parallel, IAVA advocated mandatory mental-health screening and suicide-prevention policies, reflecting concern about post-traumatic stress, depression, traumatic brain injury, and the reluctance of some service members to seek care. The organization’s policy portfolio broadened during the 2010s. It campaigned against the backlog of veterans’ disability claims, supported reforms addressing military sexual assault, and worked to preserve education benefits when proposed cuts or new charges threatened them. IAVA also became involved in the health consequences of military burn pits and other airborne toxins, arguing for improved Department of Defense accountability, better research, and recognition of service-connected illness. Its She Who Borne the Battle campaign focused on the visibility and care of women veterans and supported the Deborah Sampson Act and related measures. IAVA’s legislative work frequently involved partnerships. It worked with 9/11 first responders, survivors, and organizations such as the FealGood Foundation on reauthorization of health and compensation programs. It also supported the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, the Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, the Forever GI Bill, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, and measures concerning veterans’ disability claims and military sexual-assault protections. These efforts established IAVA as a recurring participant in veterans legislation across multiple congressional sessions. Direct services developed alongside advocacy. The Rapid Response Referral Program connects veterans, service members, and family members with organizations and public resources for medical, financial, housing, legal, employment, and benefits needs. VetTogether events and online communities provide opportunities for peer connection and local organizing. IAVA also publishes member surveys and research reports covering housing, employment, education, family life, psychological and neurological injuries, women veterans, and administrative barriers to care. IAVA is headquartered in New York City and maintains a policy office in Washington, D.C. It has presented itself as a nonpartisan organization open to veterans, families, and civilian allies. In early 2019, Rieckhoff stepped down as CEO and joined the board, with former COO Jeremy Butler taking over the chief executive role. The leadership transition marked a change in day-to-day management while preserving the organization’s established focus on veteran connection, practical assistance, research, and legislative advocacy.
- 2019
Leadership transition and permanent 9/11 fund authorization
[1]Jeremy Butler succeeded Paul Rieckhoff as CEO, and IAVA supported legislation permanently authorizing the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
- 2017
Forever GI Bill enacted
[1]IAVA supported the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which expanded Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
- 2015
Clay Hunt SAV Act enacted
[1]The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act became law after an IAVA-led advocacy effort.
- 2013
Claims backlog and sexual-assault advocacy
[1]IAVA campaigned for VA claims-processing reform and supported military sexual-assault reforms included in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.
- 2008
Post-9/11 GI Bill advocacy
[1]IAVA helped advocate for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a major education-benefit program for the post-9/11 veteran generation.
- 2007
Joshua Omvig suicide-prevention advocacy
[1]IAVA supported legislation addressing veteran and service-member suicide, including improved crisis support and suicide-prevention training.
- 2004
Organization founded
[1]Paul Rieckhoff founded IAVA to provide community, resources, and a national voice for veterans of the post-9/11 wars.
Products and positioning
A nonpartisan, post-9/11 veteran-led organization combining direct support, peer community, research, and high-visibility federal advocacy.
Veteran support service
Rapid Response Referral Program
A referral and transition-assistance service for service members, veterans, and families. Transition managers help users locate appropriate resources for health care, housing, employment, financial problems, legal matters, benefits, and related needs. The program is designed to help people navigate a complex network of government and nonprofit services rather than replace those specialized providers.
Community program
VetTogether
A community-building initiative through which IAVA members organize local gatherings and related activities. VetTogether events are intended to create peer relationships, reduce isolation, strengthen local veteran networks, and connect participants with broader IAVA advocacy and support resources.
Advocacy program
IAVA Policy Agenda
An annual policy framework that identifies legislative and administrative priorities for Congress, the executive branch, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the private sector, states, and nonprofit partners. Recurring priorities include suicide prevention, VA reform, toxic-exposure care, education benefits, women veterans’ services, and medical-cannabis access.
Research program
Research and member surveys
IAVA produces reports and surveys documenting the experiences and needs of post-9/11 veterans. Topics have included employment and education, housing and homelessness, military families, psychological and neurological injuries, women veterans, and difficulties obtaining care and benefits. The findings are used to inform public discussion and the organization’s legislative agenda.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Burn Pits Accountability Act
United States
IAVA raised awareness of exposure to burn pits and other airborne hazards during deployments and advocated stronger military reporting and VA research.
Outcome. The legislation was reintroduced and the toxic-exposure issue remained a central IAVA policy priority.
- 2018Defend the GI Bill
United States
IAVA opposed proposed reductions to education benefits and resisted a proposed fee on new service members intended to fund GI Bill expansions. It also challenged restrictions on transferring unused benefits to family members.
Outcome. The organization reported helping prevent proposed benefit cuts and mobilizing more than 50,000 petition signatures against transfer restrictions.
- 2017She Who Borne the Battle
United States
A campaign to improve recognition of women veterans and address gaps in their Department of Veterans Affairs services, including support for the Deborah Sampson Act.
Outcome. The campaign continued through subsequent congressional sessions and related legislative proposals.
- 2015Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans
United States
IAVA developed and led a campaign to improve mental-health access, strengthen oversight, and address suicide among veterans and service members.
Outcome. The Clay Hunt SAV Act was signed into law on February 12, 2015.
- 2008Post-9/11 GI Bill
United States
IAVA led and supported advocacy for a major education-benefit program serving veterans of the post-9/11 era.
Outcome. The Post-9/11 GI Bill was enacted and later expanded through additional legislation.
Brand decisions
2019
Change in chief executiveOtherBackground
After founding and leading IAVA for many years, Paul Rieckhoff stepped down from day-to-day executive leadership.
Action taken
Chief operating officer Jeremy Butler was elevated to chief executive officer, while Rieckhoff transitioned to the board.
Aftermath
The organization continued its advocacy, referral, research, and community programs under Butler’s leadership.
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