Esprit de Corps Foundation
THE MISSION CHANGED.
THE UNIT DIDN’T.
Chicago’s veterans, service members, and families are building what comes after the uniform. Real programs. Real events. A permanent campus on the way.
~132K veterans live in Cook County. 16.2M across the country. The work has only started.
Why this matters
The system is missing veterans. We’re building where the gap lives.
What we build
Four pillars. Everything we build sits under one of them.
Recreation & Adventure
Operation Adventure™
Hikes, kayaking, rucks, the Muster. Get outdoors, move together, have fun again.
Explore
Community & Service
Operation Serve™
We find a veteran already doing something for their block, then mobilize the coalition they need to do more.
Explore
Growth & Opportunity
Operation Next Mission™
Education, careers, entrepreneurship, benefits, leadership. Translation for what you've already earned.
Explore
Family & Belonging
Operation Anchor™
Spouses, kids, caregivers, the friends who stayed. Service is a family thing. So is the community you build after it.
Explore
A recent story - Operation Serve
344 backpacks.
One block. One coalition.
Back to School 2026 started with a veteran already doing something for their block in Back of the Yards. We asked what they needed. Then we brought the coalition.
344 backpacks delivered. 25+ partner organizations showed up. One Saturday morning. The whole neighborhood on the same corner.
Voices
In their own words.
“Watching Damian pour his heart and soul into creating a safe space for veterans is nothing short of inspiring.”
On the calendar
Show up.
Operation Serve
Autumn in Action: Pitch In at Humboldt Park
Sat Oct 24, 2026 — 10am–12pm
Humboldt Park Boathouse — 1301 N Humboldt Dr, Chicago
EDC is volunteering alongside the Chicago Parks Foundation to close out a successful volunteer season. Woodchip resurfacing, tree mulching, trash pick-up — pick your project.
Operation Adventure
Esprit de Corps Hot Cocoa Run
Sun Nov 1, 2026 — 7:30am
Grant Park — 301 S Columbus Dr, Chicago
EDC is fielding a run/walk team at the Skechers Hot Chocolate Chicago. 45 roster spots, race fees fully covered by Wells Fargo. Invite-only until Oct 18.
Ranks - The community
The community doesn’t end when the event does.
Ranks is the digital home for Chicago’s military-connected community and the people building alongside them. Find your people. Find what comes next.
People
Introduce yourself. Meet your unit again.
Chapters
Neighborhood, city, or affinity communities.
Groups
Interests, missions, and shared work.
Events
See who’s going before you show up.
Opportunities
Careers, mentorship, and next missions.
Resources
Benefits and answers, in plain English.
Our impact
Chicago, in motion.
Our North Star
Every great community builds a home.
A permanent Chicago home for those who serve. Recreation, wellness, service, and family programming under one roof, every day. Then a network of Campuses in the cities that call for one next.
Sponsors.
Partners.
Community supporters.
Get in
Pick your first move.
Every version of yes counts. Show up to an event. Join the community. Fund the work.