Gen. Joseph Dunford Chairs the Semper Fi & America's Fund
#250FOR250, Nex-finityNews

A Former Joint Chiefs Chairman’s Second Mission: Gen. Joseph Dunford and the Semper Fi & America’s Fund

June 9, 2026June 9, 2026By Dominick Bianco, Editor-in-Chief
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Gen. Joseph Dunford Chairs the Semper Fi & America's Fund
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., who served as the nation’s highest-ranking military officer as the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, now chairs the board of directors of the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a charity that cares for wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and their families.

This profile is part of #250for250, a NexfinityNews series marking America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 by recognizing 250 veterans and the leaders who serve them — Americans whose commitment to country did not end when they left the uniform. Gen. Dunford is honored for extending a career of responsibility for service members into caring for the most severely wounded among them.

A Marine’s Career at the Top

Commissioned in 1977, Dunford served as an infantry officer at every level of the Marine Corps. He commanded the 5th Marine Regiment during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, where his leadership under fire earned him the nickname “Fighting Joe.” He went on to command the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan from 2013 to 2014.

In 2014 he became the 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps, the service’s top officer. The following year he was elevated to the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving from 2015 to 2019 as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. In simple terms, for four years he held the senior-most uniformed position in the U.S. armed forces.

Leading the Fund’s Board

Dunford was named chairman of the Semper Fi & America’s Fund board on January 21, 2020. Beyond the Fund, he currently serves as chief executive officer of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a senior fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, and a board member at several corporations and foundations.

What the Fund Does

The Semper Fi & America’s Fund was founded in 2004 as the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund by a group of Marine Corps spouses at Camp Pendleton who began providing bedside support to early wounded and injured service members from Iraq and Afghanistan. The organization, which now supports families from all branches of the armed forces, is known for one-on-one case management and lifetime support rather than one-time grants.

Its financial discipline is notable. The Fund has maintained an operating overhead of roughly 7 percent since its inception, holds an A+ rating from CharityWatch, and has earned top four-star ratings from Charity Navigator for more than a decade. In fiscal year 2022, the Fund provided 45,400 grants totaling about $31.6 million to roughly 11,000 service members and their families.

That scale reflects steady growth from the organization’s origins as a small bedside-support effort. In fiscal year 2023, the Fund reported 38,400 grants totaling roughly $29.5 million to about 11,700 service members and families. Its assistance ranges from immediate financial help — covering travel, lodging, and lost wages so families can be at a wounded service member’s bedside — to long-term support for the transition back to civilian life.

Analysis

The presence of a former Joint Chiefs chairman atop the Fund’s board reflects a broader pattern: marquee military leaders lend credibility and fundraising reach to veterans charities. For an organization built on the trust of donors and the loyalty of the military community, a chairman of Dunford’s stature signals both gravity and accountability.

Conclusion

For Dunford, chairing the Fund extends a career defined by responsibility for service members — from leading them in combat to advising presidents to, now, helping ensure the most severely wounded among them are not left to face recovery alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. chairs the board of the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a post he assumed on January 21, 2020.
  • Dunford was the 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps (2014–2015) and the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2015–2019).
  • He commanded the 5th Marine Regiment in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, earning the nickname “Fighting Joe.”
  • He currently also serves as CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
  • The Fund, founded in 2004, maintains about 7% overhead and provided some 45,400 grants worth $31.6 million in FY2022.

Sources

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