Honor. Support. Restore.

MISSION STATEMENT - "Operation Hat Trick generates awareness and support for the recovery of wounded service members and veterans through the sale of OHT branded merchandise and products, proceeds of which are donated to selected organizations that fulfill the OHT mission."

OHT is dedicated to American service members as they recover from the visible and invisible wounds of war. We help them move past the traumas of battle so they can focus on their lives and families at home.


Operation Hat Trick is recognized by GuideStar as a Platinum seal of transparency organization for its responsible stewardship (https:/learn.guidestar.org/platinum). Dedicated to Nate Hardy and Mike Koch, two Navy SEALs who were killed in Iraq in 2008 and are buried side by side at Arlington National Cemetery, OHT never forgets their sacrifice.

OHT is differentiated from other veteran-focused nonprofits by its innovative operating model. OHT pioneered the first national philanthropic co-branded cause marketing retail apparel licensing program. Rather than relying on donations to raise money, OHT receives a royalty on every product purchase of co-branded apparel and merchandise in conjunction with over 500 supporting American colleges and universities, as well as many NHL, NBA and MiLB teams. Its products are also available via online retailers such as Fanatics, Amazon and national retailers including Cracker Barrel, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Kohl’s, Lids, Scheels and more.


OHT provides critical support to those who defend us

Thousands of service members and veterans who have returned wounded from war and conflict have needs that conventional organizations and government programs don’t cover. Operation Hat Trick helps fill critical gaps in care.

We pay for adaptive equipment for amputees; service dogs; shoes for prosthetic legs; critical care; emergency rent, heating oil or car payments. We’ve built a cabin for a veterans’ summer camp, sponsored hunting, fishing and skiing trips,and supported a bed in a substance abuse center solely for those veterans with for veterans with substance abuse … almost anything veterans need to work through their injuries and rebuild their lives.


An innovative approach

Born at the University of New Hampshire, we got our start by giving hats to service members with head and brain injuries, but soon realized that we could do even more by selling our merchandise and products — hats, gear, etc. — and using the proceeds to support the recovery of service members and veterans. We’re a 501(c)3 non-profit and work with colleges and universities, leagues, companies and fans across the U.S. to honor active duty military and veterans.

OHT has donated over $5 million to selected organizations and has helped fill some critical gaps in care. OHT is truly making a difference in the lives of those in need.


Remember our nation’s duty to its war veterans. We have the responsibility to restore lives. As Travis Mills, Retired SSGT and one of 5 surviving quadruple amputees has aptly said, "The biggest threat to our freedom is the lack of supporting those who have provided it"

It’s our duty to serve our service members and veterans by helping them address the visible and invisible wounds of war. Support Operation Hat Trick today, and show veterans their lives off the battlefield are just as important to our country as their service on it. A generation moved shall not become a generation removed.


How OHT differs from other veteran focused 501c3’s:

  • Many Americans express support for our nation’s military and veterans, but not everyone converts those sentiments into action. That’s the beauty of OHT – supporting the cause is as simple as making a purchase.

  • OHT fills a critical financing gap that exists between conventional organizations and government programs that don’t cover (and/or can’t quickly meet) a wide range of personal needs that help vets, yet regularly fall through the cracks.

  • Dot rallied around a different operating model in forming OHT: be a “pass-through” 501c3 that funds carefully selected (typically) smaller military support organizations – compatible with OHT’s mission. The organization works with dozens of its college and university partners to identify worthy organizations in their own communities.

  • The organization is transparent and lean. A decade since its founding (2018 is OHT’s 10-year anniversary), Dot remains the only employee. She believes in OHT so much she retired from the University of New Hampshire in 2016 to focus 100% on the cause. Hundreds of volunteers and an actively engaged Board of Directors help spark the cause.

  • OHT pioneered the first national philanthropic co-branded cause marketing retail apparel licensing program in conjunction with America’s colleges and universities. Hats and gear feature the college logo in addition to the OHT brand. A royalty paid by the manufacturer for the sale of each OHT product generates the revenue stream OHT uses to fund carefully selected organizations that fulfill the OHT mission.