VETERANS,
FISHING & CIGARS
MENTORSHIP ON THE OPEN SEAS
VETERANS,
FISHING & CIGARS
MENTORSHIP ON THE OPEN SEAS
OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTY
TAMPA, FL
Team House Tampa
On June 25, 2026, Meritorious Foundation officially launched Veterans, Fishing & Cigars, bringing together veterans, executives, and community partners in celebration of mentorship and impact, with 20 fishing charters scheduled between now and year-end.
A MENTORSHIP INITIATIVE POWERED
BY THE MERITORIOUS FOUNDATION
A MENTORSHIP INITIATIVE POWERED BY THE MERITORIOUS FOUNDATION
Veterans, Fishing & Cigars matches transitioning service members and active-duty personnel with company executives on donor-funded fishing charters in Florida.
REDEFINING VETERAN NETWORKING
Traditional networking can feel forced and formal. This program breaks that mold with an immersive experience where veterans can open up, share stories, and build the trust that drives real opportunities, from jobs and business ventures to long-term support networks that ripple through entire communities.
REDEFINING VETERAN NETWORKING
Traditional networking can feel forced and formal. This program breaks that mold with an immersive experience where veterans can open up, share stories, and build the trust that drives real opportunities, from jobs and business ventures to long-term support networks that ripple through entire communities.
SCALING MISSION IMPACT
Your donations make a direct impact. Every contribution helps cover essential costs like supplies, fuel, and logistics—ensuring we can continue providing meaningful experiences for veterans at no cost to them. Together, we can reach more heroes and keep our mission moving forward.
SCALING MISSION IMPACT
Your donations make a direct impact. Every contribution helps cover essential costs like supplies, fuel, and logistics—ensuring we can continue providing meaningful experiences for veterans at no cost to them. Together, we can reach more heroes and keep our mission moving forward.
ANCHOR YOUR SUPPORT: JOIN OUR 2027 MISSISSIPPI TO LEJEUNE TRANSITION TOUR
WHAT IS VETERANS, FISHING & CIGARS
WHAT IS VETERANS, FISHING & CIGARS
Meritorious Foundation is proud to present Veterans, Fishing & Cigars, a new mentorship program pairing three transitioning service members with three business executives on donor-funded fishing charters starting in the Tampa Bay area. In its inaugural year, the program will directly engage approximately 120 veterans through 20 charters, including active-duty special operations personnel within the USSOCOM community. The series will expand in 2027 to serve veterans at military bases across Florida.
Meritorious is now partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor TAP program on 50+ military installations worldwide.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
- Small-group fishing charters (6 participants per trip).
- Fully funded charters covering lunch, charter, fuel, and equipment.
- Transitioning veterans paired with executive mentors in relevant industries.
- Audience includes transitioning service members, business owners, corporate executives, and military-connected professionals.
Trusted by top corporate brands, we have sponsored 400+ veterans and military spouses through outdoor programming hosted in 8 states. The new Veterans, Fishing & Cigars event expands this mission, fostering mentorship on the open waters starting in Florida.
COLLABORATIVE IMPACT
COLLABORATIVE IMPACT
- Meritorious Foundation is known for its collaborative approach within the veteran nonprofit ecosystem, working alongside partner organizations to expand shared impact.
- Select charters are reserved for partner nonprofit organizations, enabling direct participation from their mentors, mentees, and leadership.
- Collaborative partnerships help extend program reach across trusted veteran and military-connected communities.
- Partners are integrated into events, mentorship programming, and community engagement initiatives throughout the charter season.
Trusted by top corporate brands, we have sponsored 400+ veterans and military spouses through outdoor programming hosted in 8 states. The new Veterans, Fishing & Cigars event expands this mission, fostering mentorship on the open waters starting in Florida.
ABOUT MERITORIOUS
ABOUT
MERITORIOUS
Creating Opportunity Through Connection
The Meritorious Foundation is a national nonprofit supporting veterans, transitioning service members, and military-connected professionals through mentorship, networking, and community-based programming designed to expand access to opportunity.
the Foundation engages military-connected communities through structured mentorship initiatives, virtual industry programming, and immersive outdoor experiences focused on long-term professional connection, peer support, and economic mobility. Over the past three years, Meritorious has connected thousands of participants with organizations across technology, defense, government contracting, entrepreneurship, and skilled industries while sponsoring hundreds of veterans through curated experiential programming across multiple states.
CONNECT WITH A HIGHLY ENGAGED, MISSION DRIVEN AUDIENCE
Meritorious Foundation engages a nationwide community of veterans, military-connected professionals, and industry leaders.
CONNECT WITH A HIGHLY ENGAGED, MISSION DRIVEN AUDIENCE
Meritorious Foundation engages a nationwide community of veterans, military-connected professionals, and industry leaders.
BE PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT'S CONNECTING VETERANS EVERYWHERE
BE PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT'S CONNECTING VETERANS EVERYWHERE
CONTACT US
Katherine Kostreva
Katherine@Meritorious.us
727-492-6421
206 17th Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
CONTACT
Katherine Kostreva
Katherine@Meritorious.us
727-492-6421
206 17th Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701