NGS Insider - March 2026 Edition

Partner Spotlight: LKQ Corporation as 2026 BootCamp Title Sponsor

We are proud to announce LKQ Corporation is once again stepping up in a big way as a Title Sponsor for the 2026 NGS BootCamp, contributing a generous $100,000 to support our Scholars for the third year in a row!

With partners like LKQ, we are equipping the next generation with the tools they need to honor their families' legacies and build their capacity for greatness.

A special thank you to NGS Board Member and LKQ Senior VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Ian Musselman, and the entire LKQ team for their continued commitment to the NGS mission.

Thank you, LKQ, for making a difference and investing in Freedom's Future!

Want to make an impact? Join us in supporting NGS BootCamp 2026 by emailing events@nogreatersacrifice.org for more information on sponsorship opportunities.

NGS Freedom Award Reception — June 25

Please join No Greater Sacrifice (NGS) and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) for our Freedom Award Reception to support the NGS mission of providing for our nation's fallen and severely wounded military families through education. It is a special time to meet and recognize the sacrifice of our 2026 NGS Scholars and Families, who include Gold Star Families and Veterans.

Don't miss the chance to contribute and enjoy this unique experience and support a tremendous cause.

For more information or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact events@nogreatersacrifice.org / 713-419-6718.

Scholar Spotlight: Josilyn Burkett

NGS Scholar Josilyn Burkett

This March, we were proud to recognize a remarkable legacy of service and aviation through NGS Scholar Josilyn Burkett.

Josilyn is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management at Florida Institute of Technology with the goal of becoming a commercial pilot. As she works toward her instrument rating, she continues a proud third-generation aviation legacy. Her grandfather served as a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) pilot, and her father also flew for the Marines before being severely wounded while serving as a USMC Cobra pilot, resulting in his medical retirement.

Josilyn is also inspired by her mother, Melissa Burkett, a USMC Veteran who served as a calibration technician supporting the air wing. Together, her parents' service has shaped Josilyn's commitment to excellence and purpose.

At Florida Tech, Josilyn is an active leader on the executive board of Gamma Phi Beta, participates in Women in Aviation, and has earned Dean's List honors every semester.

Through the generous support of partners like the Gary Sinise Foundation and the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, No Greater Sacrifice is honored to support Scholars like Josilyn as they pursue their dreams and carry forward a legacy of service.

Melissa Burkett and NGS Scholar Josilyn Burkett

Scholarship Applications — Deadline April 1st

The NGS 2026 Application deadline is quickly approaching on April 1, 2026.

If you know a child of a fallen or severely wounded Service member who may be eligible, please encourage them to request an Eligibility Application by contacting info@nogreatersacrifice.org.

Special thank you to the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, Gary Sinise Foundation, LKQ Community Foundation, Microsoft, Spookstock Foundation, UBS Manhattan Market, Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, The Veterans Summit, and all of you who make these scholarship opportunities possible.

Charity Tip of the Month: A Tax-Smart Way to Give

As you plan your charitable giving this spring, new 2026 tax law changes create meaningful opportunities to maximize your impact. With many standard-deduction filers now able to deduct up to $1,000 in charitable gifts ($2,000 for couples), even modest recurring contributions can be both impactful and tax-advantaged.

For example, a minimum monthly gift of $84 would reach this threshold over the course of the year — while symbolically honoring the nearly 84,000 children impacted by combat casualties since 9/11 who are likely to pursue higher education.

As always, we encourage you to consult your tax advisor to determine what approach is best for you, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support of No Greater Sacrifice's mission.