When Todd Murphy walks through the doors of USA Cares every morning, he carries deep Louisville pride and a straightforward mission: turn passion into action for the military families who need it most. As Director of Development, a proud University of Kentucky graduate, and a devoted family man to his wife Holly, sons Colin and Grant, and "four-legged fury son" Beau, Todd leads the charge in providing post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families with emergency financial assistance and post-service skills training to create a foundation for long-term stability.

As Todd explains, "Our services improve the quality of life for veterans and their families and reduce potential factors that can contribute to veteran suicide."

The organization’s story began locally through a grassroots partnership between WAVE-3 TV, the Mid-South Division of Kroger Food Stores, and the Association of the United States Army Fort Knox Chapter. Initially named Kentuckiana Cares, the initiative set out to raise emergency funds for military families in financial crisis by selling "Support Our Troops" yard signs. In October 2003, in response to an increasing number of requests for help, it evolved into USA Cares, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in J-Town. Since then, the organization has assisted more than 200,000 veterans and military families across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military branches, including the Reserves and National Guard, providing millions of dollars in financial and job search assistance.

What truly sets USA Cares apart is its journey from a local Kentucky effort into a national organization serving active military and veterans across the entire country, paired with an incredible commitment to transparency. Meeting all 20 Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance standards for charity accountability, the nonprofit holds Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency, a top 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and the Best in America Seal of Excellence. Furthermore, based on audited financial statements, USA Cares’ functional allocation for programs and services reached an exceptional 89.67%, proving that donations directly fuel their mission.

Connecting locally through social media, radio, TV, podcasts, and community partnerships helps USA Cares navigate the unique hurdles of the non-profit sector. "The non-profit world can be a very rewarding and challenging area to work," Todd shares. "Our growth and success are a direct result of a dedicated team that shows up daily with energy and passion. Our supporters include Corporations, Businesses, individuals, and Foundations that have allowed us to help more and more people in need of assistance." Community advocates like Bill R., a retired business and vital community leader, help champion this effort, witnessing firsthand how a passion to help creates an infectious momentum that spreads across the nation.

While Todd humbly insists, "I am no expert. I am a person who is passionate about helping those in crisis," his takeaway message for readers is simple: "I hope that my actions inspire people to help others."