About Us
Since 2014, it has been our privilege to serve the military community through our programs that support Veterans, military service members and their families.
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The Cost of Courage Foundation is a non-profit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501c(3) corporation and as such all donations are tax deductible in accordance with IRS tax codes applicable to same.
We are an all-volunteer organization that proudly directs the resources we are provided to Military Service Members, Veterans, Military Families, and Gold Star Families in need.
Tax ID#: 47-1991589
We are an all-volunteer organization that proudly directs the resources we are provided to Military Service Members, Veterans, Military Families, and Gold Star Families in need.
Tax ID#: 47-1991589
Our Mission
In honor and recognition of those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our nation and to honor the memories of those who have given their lives in combat for our freedom, the foremost goal and mission of The Cost of Courage Foundation is to support the needs of deserving service members, veterans and their families in our community. Through its offering of scholarship and emergency assistance programs, The Cost of Courage Foundation works to ensure a successful transition back into civilian life for Veterans and relief from food insecurity and economic hardship for those currently serving.
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Contact Us
For more information, please feel free to call us at (408) 614-2116 or (844) 839-1291.
The Cost of Courage Foundation
1315 Piedmont Road #32909
San Jose, CA 95132
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P.O. Box 32909
San Jose, CA 95152-2909
kelly@thecostofcouragefoundation.org
Community Recognition
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About Our Founder
Kelly Estes is the Author of The Cost of Courage, a military fiction novel depicting the service of her great uncles who served in the Pacific and European Theaters of WWII. She is a graduate of Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce Management. She also holds a Paralegal Certification from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Masters Degree in Public Administration. She also holds a First Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and was named Instructor of the Year in 2003.
Her journey with veterans initiatives began at the age of fifteen when she produced and directed a documentary detailing her great uncle's service in the Doolittle Raid as part of a local organization dedicated to preserving the stories of United States Veterans. For this effort, she was awarded the History Channel Community Historian Award on November 11, 2006. After serving for 4 years as an Board of Supervisors appointed member of the Santa Clara County Youth Task Force where she was Chair of the Research Committee, in 2009, at the age of 19, she was appointed by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors as the youngest serving Human Relations Commissioner. While serving on the Commission, Kelly was appointed as Chair of the Justice Review Committee and in that capacity founded and lead the Santa Clara County Veterans Proactive Assistance Task Force which focused on assisting veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In this capacity, Kelly lead a team of representatives from government, non-profit, and Veterans agencies throughout the County that assessed the effectiveness of funded community resources that were tasked with assisting Veterans. Over the course of three years, the task force conducted interviews and collected data regarding Veteran incarceration statistics and preventative programs. The findings were eventually compiled into an official report and presented to the Board of Supervisors Public Safety and Justice Committee with the full backing of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
In recognition of her achievements, continuing efforts on behalf of Veterans returning from war and dedication to the community, in 2012 Kelly was awarded a City of San Jose, California Commendation presented on behalf of the City of San Jose and its citizens by its Honorable Mayor and City Council. Kelly was also awarded Commissioner of the Year in 2011 by the County of Santa Clara Office of Human Relations for her success in leading the Justice Review Committee.
While Kelly had been donating a portion of all novel, audiobook and merchandise proceeds from The Cost of Courage to deserving organizations supporting Veterans initiatives including Blue Star Mom's and Eagles Up Foundation, it had long been her goal to establish her own non-profit offering educational assistance to deserving veterans in the name of her great uncle Sgt. Donald Fitzmaurice who was killed in action April 18, 1942 as a member of the esteemed Doolittle Raiders and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Board of Directors
Carole Stanford
Carole Stanford is a Veteran of the US Navy where she served with alongside United States Marines during The Persian Gulf War. She is also the daughter and mother of Navy veterans. Her family has been servicing this country through military service since the Civil War. Carole comes from a family of both military and public service, and it has been instilled in her since she was a child. Her parents served in various capacities throughout their lives and mine. Her father worked for the VA hospital and served on the board that influenced the recognition of PTSD as a disability. Carole continues the family tradition of service by volunteering at St. Vianney women's shelter as well as other organizations. Carole’s background is in Ophthalmology where she currently works as a Patient Experience Manager for a Refractive Surgery Center. Carole enjoys traveling, spending time with her children, and competing as US Masters Athlete in Track and Field. She met Kelly at the Center on a joint project to help veterans receive Laser Eye Surgery at no cost to them. When the opportunity presented itself to be a part of such a great cause, I asked what I could do to help. “Being a part of this foundation is an honor that allows to me to carry on the family tradition of service to those who put their lives on the line to serve us.”
Rich Alvari
Rich Alvari was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, but he has called the Bay Area home since 1986. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, and a Master’s Degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Rich was a successful college athlete, an NCAA Division 1 Basketball Coach, and he served as General Manager for two local Bay Area Athletic Clubs that catered to corporate clientele, and their families. However, over the past 25+ years, Rich has earned a reputation as a highly respected marketing professional in the South Bay. He has served as Director of Marketing with the world-famous San Jose Flea Market since 1996, where he utilized a mix of marketing strategies to promote one of the most successful open-air shopping destinations in U.S. history. In this capacity, he has also been responsible for producing, promoting, and hosting more than 150 family-friendly special events and festivals. The San Jose Flea Market is celebrating 64 years in business in 2024. For the past 17 years, Rich has also concurrently served as Director of Marketing for another successful local Bumb Family-owned business, Bay 101 Casino. Bay 101 will celebrate 30 years as “Silicon Valley’s Place To Play” in 2024. In 2018, Rich started his own LLC Business, RICH RESULTS MARKETING & PROMOTIONS. This company is devoted to assisting non-profits with their marketing and promotional needs. The primary beneficiary to date has been MILPITAS CHARITY BINGO, a four-year old local non-profit that partners with, and financially helps support more than 35 local community organizations. “I am humbled and honored to join The Cost Of Courage Foundation Board of Directors.
I am a very patriotic person, and I have always unconditionally loved and respected members of our U.S. Military Community. My father (USAF), and of two of my uncles (USAF, US Army) all proudly served this country. I look forward to serving in my own way, supporting Kelly and her incredible Foundation, and doing my part to support our veterans, currently serving military, and their families.” Rich also has a strong belief in giving back, and he has paid it forward and supported many non-profit organizations, including The Cost Of Courage Foundation over the past 25+ years. “A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt has always resonated with me, and seems apropos as I join The Cost Of Courage Foundation Team.” “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.” “I intend embrace that responsibility by bringing my years of marketing and promotions experience, and my love of our military and veteran communities to The Cost Of Courage Foundation. I will strive to ensure our Foundation reaches an exponentially larger audience going forward. This will allow us to focus on our responsibilities and continue to meet the needs of the ever-growing Veteran, active Military Service members, and their families in need.”
I am a very patriotic person, and I have always unconditionally loved and respected members of our U.S. Military Community. My father (USAF), and of two of my uncles (USAF, US Army) all proudly served this country. I look forward to serving in my own way, supporting Kelly and her incredible Foundation, and doing my part to support our veterans, currently serving military, and their families.” Rich also has a strong belief in giving back, and he has paid it forward and supported many non-profit organizations, including The Cost Of Courage Foundation over the past 25+ years. “A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt has always resonated with me, and seems apropos as I join The Cost Of Courage Foundation Team.” “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.” “I intend embrace that responsibility by bringing my years of marketing and promotions experience, and my love of our military and veteran communities to The Cost Of Courage Foundation. I will strive to ensure our Foundation reaches an exponentially larger audience going forward. This will allow us to focus on our responsibilities and continue to meet the needs of the ever-growing Veteran, active Military Service members, and their families in need.”
Carolyn Ferrari
Carolyn Ferrari is a graduate of Santa Clara University, and navigated a career in market research, marketing communications, and supplier relationship management for over 22 years at tech giant Hewlett-Packard (HP). At HP, she participated and/or assisted with United Way campaigns and associated employee activities. Currently, Carolyn is a management analyst at the County of Santa Clara Health System and has been with the County for over 14 years. She has participated in group volunteer events with County colleagues at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. She partnered with friends in donating and preparing dinner for caregivers, patients, and their families staying at JW House (Santa Clara) during medical crises. She also hosted a donations luncheon event with a local non-profit to collect much needed undergarments and toiletries for disadvantaged women in Santa Clara County. Through relationships with County colleagues, Carolyn was introduced to Kelly Estes, the young and dynamic author of The Cost of Courage, and founder of The Cost of Courage Foundation. She appreciates and supports the mission and valuable programs for the military community provided by the foundation and believes the dedicated, focused, and passionate leadership of its founder, Kelly Estes, is an inspiration to her and others to be more proactive in giving back to those who make countless sacrifices to preserve the security and freedom of people in America and those abroad.