Starbucks commitment to those who serve and their families
As a people-first company, Starbucks is committed to enhancing the lives of all who touch the business and contributing positively to every community.
Join us in supporting those who serve this Military Appreciation Month. For every military eGift card purchased in May, Starbucks will donate $5 to Blue Star Families to support their ongoing work with military communities. Give an eGift here.
As of 2025, Starbucks has hired more than 45,000 Veterans and military spouses. In July 2023, Starbucks announced its strengthened support of the military community through new relocation services, community building efforts and mental health support. Starbucks investment in Veterans and military spouses – and every community we serve – is grounded in our belief that we’re at our best when we uplift one another with dignity, respect and kindness.
“We are proud to partner with Starbucks this Veterans Day to honor our nation’s heroes and ensure they’re connected with each other and their communities. Supporters like Starbucks help us keep the promise to always be there for those who bravely served, including their families and caregivers. Our free programs and services in mental and brain health, career counseling, benefits, physical health and wellness, advocacy and long-term rehabilitative care are changing and saving lives every day, thanks to partners like Starbucks, and generous supporters across the country.”
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walt Piatt, CEO of Wounded Warrior Project
By The Numbers
Turning Intention into Impact
We recognize the invaluable contributions of those who serve – our Veterans and their families – many of whom we call partners (employees). These partners aren’t just part of our workforce and neighborhoods; they’re part of our story. That’s why Starbucks continues to invest in these communities, offering stability, opportunity and connection every day.
Our Support
Community Hubs: Across the country, more than 250 Military Family Stores, on or near military bases, serve as gathering places for active-duty service members, Veterans, families and caregivers – creating spaces for connection and belonging.
Relocation Support: We’ve built a centralized relocation service so partners can continue their Starbucks careers when orders change – providing stability during transitions.
Military Service Pay: For partners serving in the National Guard or Reserve, we offer up to 80 hours of pay annually – recognizing their dual commitment to country and community.
Customized Care: Through resources like Lyra’s Veteran Toolkit and Headspace, we provide tailored support to help military families and Veterans.
Education Opportunities: Through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP), eligible partners can earn a bachelor’s degree online through Arizona State University, with full upfront tuition coverage. Veteran partners can even extend this benefit to an eligible family member.
I’m proud that Starbucks encourages us to do so much for the community and create a way to remember the people that served our country for us to be able to live the way we do. Whether it’s one year or 20 years, everyone in the military community has sacrificed something. It’s about giving our Veterans, military service members and military spouses that recognition and time to say I see you, I recognize what you’re going through and I appreciate it.”
Jess C., Starbucks Coffeehouse Leader
Our partnerships
Starbucks is proud of our support for Military and Veteran Service Organizations that foster connection and improve well-being within military communities and provide Veterans with a renewed purpose through continued service opportunities. Learn more about our partnerships.
Blue Star Families
Our longstanding partnership with Blue Star Families focuses on connecting military families with their neighbors and providing resources so they can thrive within their communities. Throughout our partnership, Starbucks has impacted over 26,000 military families through hundreds of military-spouse coffee connects and programs designed to impact key military family issues such as isolation and food insecurity.
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Starbucks partners with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to help advocate for the needs of military caregivers through awareness and resource development. This partnership aims to increase visibility for the challenges faced by military caregivers – promoting programs that provide respite, education and community support to help them navigate their unique experiences.
Operation Gratitude
With a focus on bridging the military-civilian divide, our partnership engages Starbucks partners and customers in opportunities to show gratitude for those who’ve served. Starbucks has impacted over 625,000 individuals through letter writing campaigns, care package assemblies and in-kind donations in partnership with Operation Gratitude.
Travis Manion Foundation
Through community service and leadership development, our partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation focuses on empowering Veterans and families of the fallen. Starbucks supports initiatives that inspire Veterans to engage with their communities, fostering a sense of purpose and connection. This partnership includes programming that encourages service projects, mentorship opportunities and leadership training for Veterans, helping them to reintegrate and thrive in civilian life.
USO
Our partnership will help strengthen the USO’s work around the well-being of service members and their families. The USO is the leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families. Since 1941, the USO has been by the side of service members through their military service. Impactful support is provided through their 250+ locations around the world, a robust care package delivery program, entertainment, military spouse and youth programming, and much more – all made possible by donors, corporate partners, volunteers and staff.
Wounded Warrior Project
With support from Starbucks, Wounded Warrior Project® provides, at no cost, innovative programs and supportive services that empower the mental and physical health of injured post-9/11 Veterans and their families. This partnership focuses on helping to provide programs, advocacy and awareness efforts to help wounded warriors thrive, provide essential lifelines to families and caregivers, and prevent Veteran suicides.
We are deeply grateful for Starbucks’ support for America’s service members and their families, shown not only through a simple cup of coffee but also through their ongoing commitment to the USO.” – Ben Leslie, USO Chief Development Officer
“At the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, we are committed to honoring and supporting those who care for our wounded Veterans and service members. With this partnership, Starbucks underscores its deep commitment to improving the lives of America’s military and veteran families and recognizing the vital role caregivers play in support of wounded warriors.”
STEVE SCHWAB, CEO OF THE ELIZABETH DOLE FOUNDATION