Oregon 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Every Tributary
Leads to Purpose.

Tributary Foundation builds community-driven pathways that help veterans and individuals move from isolation toward regulation, connection, stability, and purpose.

Support the Mission Explore Programs

"Through trusted programs, partnerships, and shared experiences, we create meaningful entry points into lasting support."

Why We Exist

Bridging Isolation and Sustained Support

Tributary Foundation is a Central Oregon-based nonprofit building community-driven pathways that help veterans and individuals move from isolation toward regulation, connection, stability, and purpose. Through trusted programs, partnerships, and shared experiences, we create meaningful entry points into lasting support, especially where existing systems can feel difficult to enter, trust, or sustain.

01

Regulation

Supporting nervous system regulation through movement, nature, and intentional experiences that help participants feel grounded.

02

Connection

Creating opportunities for veterans and community members to build trust, belonging, and meaningful relationships.

03

Stability

Encouraging consistency, healthy routines, and supportive environments that help people move forward with confidence.

04

Purpose

Helping participants rediscover meaning, direction, and identity through community-centered experiences.

Veterans in the outdoors
Oregon 501(c)(3)
EIN: 39-2178455

Seven Years of Showing Up

A legacy built through relationships, trust, and community support, long before Tributary Foundation was formally established.

250+
Veterans Supported
$500K+
Raised Through Community Events & Partnerships
20+
Bikes Donated to the Salem Vet Center
7+
Years of Veteran-Focused Community Experiences
10+
Outdoor, Wellness & Recovery Activities
1,000s
Volunteer & Community Support Hours
Veteran & Family Homefront

A Pathway to Regulation, Connection, Stability, and Purpose

Homefront is a pathway for veterans and their families to reconnect, stabilize, and move forward. Through trusted relationships, guided experiences, and ongoing support, we go beyond one-time events to create lasting change.

See the Pathway
Veteran Ski Club at Mt. Bachelor

Veteran Ski Club

Connection, movement, and community on the mountain. Weekly sessions at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, OR for experienced skiers and snowboarders.

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

Guided outdoor rides that build confidence and connection through shared challenge and natural environments.

Breathwork

Breathwork

Grounding practices that support nervous system regulation and overall wellbeing, led by trained facilitators.

Paddling

Paddling

Water-based experiences focused on presence, movement, and community connection in Central Oregon's rivers and lakes.

Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing

Calm outdoor experiences that encourage patience, presence, and connection in nature. In partnership with Project Healing Waters.

Rafting

Creative Writing

Reflective writing experiences that support expression, storytelling, and personal growth through shared narrative.

How the Program Works

Designed as a Guided Pathway, Not Just a List of Events

Each step helps veterans build connection, stability, and purpose over time.

01

Start with Trust

We begin by building relationships and understanding each veteran's needs, interests, and comfort level.

02

Join Guided Experiences

Veterans participate in nature-based activities like skiing, biking, paddling, breathwork, and seasonal retreats.

03

Build Stability Tools

Programs include grounding, regulation, reflection, and peer connection to support emotional balance and daily stability.

04

Stay Connected

Homefront continues beyond one event through follow-through, community connection, and pathways toward future opportunities.

From the Field

Real Programs. Real Veterans. Real Community.

Veterans outdoors
Outdoor activity
Group veterans
Ski club
Veterans in nature
Veteran experience
Community event
Board of Directors

Leadership Rooted in Service

Every board member brings lived experience as a veteran, clinician, or community builder. This is not advisory distance. This is direct commitment.

Dylan Gaar

Dylan Gaar

President & Founder

Outdoor expedition leader and pain-care advocate who works to restore purpose and connection for veterans through nature and community.

Javier Romo

Javier Romo

Executive Director & Co-Founder

Marine Corps combat veteran who draws from his own journey of recovery to help veterans reconnect with purpose through nature and shared experiences.

James Drury

James "Jimmy" Drury

Board Treasurer

Marine Corps veteran and firefighter. Continues his mission of service by helping veterans build connection, resilience, and community through the outdoors.

Melissa Clay

Melissa Clay

Board Secretary

Physical therapist of 24 years, dedicated to helping veterans and military families build strength, resilience, and healing.

Veteran Advisory Committee

Lived Experience at the Table

The Veteran Advisory Committee serves in a strictly advisory capacity, reviewing potential partnerships, evaluating anonymized participant feedback, and providing recommendations to strengthen program development. The VAC does not make governing, financial, operational, or clinical decisions on behalf of the Foundation.

Matthew Cerniglia

Matthew Cerniglia

Marine Corps Veteran | LAPD Officer

Marine Corps combat veteran and LAPD officer who has dedicated his life to serving others through military service, law enforcement, and mentoring youth.

David Tucker

David Tucker

Retired U.S. Army Major | Author

Award-winning writer and photographer who blends art and lived experience to foster healing, reflection, and community.

Lou Bauer

Lou Bauer

Retired U.S. Army Major | Bronze Star

25-year military career with four combat deployments. Brings decades of leadership and lived experience to supporting veterans in their healing and recovery.

Sean Davis

Sean Davis

Purple Heart Recipient | Army Veteran

Committed to helping fellow veterans navigate PTSD and find support through connection and shared experience.

Hector Matascastillo

Hector R. Matascastillo

Retired Army First Sergeant | Ph.D.

Infantry First Sergeant and mental health professional supporting veterans through a holistic approach that connects physical challenge with psychological healing.

Christopher Thier

Christopher Thier

Marine Corps & Army Veteran | Bend, OR

11 years of military service. Certified breathwork facilitator and 200-hour yoga teacher dedicated to getting veterans outdoors and creating connection.

Eight Years of Showing Up

Where It Started

Before Tributary Foundation formally became its own nonprofit, this work was already taking shape through relationships, trust, and community support. For years, Javier and Dylan organized and supported veteran-centered experiences simply because they believed in the value of connection, outdoor engagement, and community.

Many of those early events were operated through established nonprofit partners, including LifeAid Hope and Save the Brave, before Tributary Foundation officially launched in 2025.

In 2025, the founders temporarily paused events to establish Tributary Foundation as its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit, creating a long-term structure for the work they had already been leading for years.

Community Partners

Realty Connection Group  |  Together With Veterans  |  Perseus Learning Center  |  Cog Wild  |  Oregon Adaptive Sports  |  Sun Country Tours  |  Oregon Bungee  |  Writers Guild  |  LifeAid Hope  |  Save the Brave

250+
Veterans Supported
$500K+
Raised Through Community Events & Partnerships
20+
Bikes Donated to the Salem Vet Center
7+
Years of Veteran-Focused Community Experiences
2019
Grassroots veteran gatherings began
2025
Tributary Foundation officially launched as 501(c)(3)
Veterans and partners
Every Tributary Leads to Purpose

Become a Tributary

A "tributary" is any external pathway or partnership structure that advances the Foundation's mission while remaining accountable to its governance, scope boundaries, and measurement discipline. Partnership with Tributary Foundation means joining a network committed to veteran wellness and purpose-driven community impact.

Financial Support & Sponsorship

Direct funding that enables veteran activities, program supplies, access, and community outreach.

Professional Services

Physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, breathwork facilitation, and other wellness services that amplify program impact.

Corporate Partnership

Strategic alignment between your organization's values and veteran wellness through structured partnership models.

Apply to Partner