Foundation for Brain Health Advances (Center for BrainHealth)

Pictured above: Center for BrainHealth's Jennifer Zientz and Thad King stand with service members participating in Optimal BrainHealth for Warfighters, following a SMART seminar with the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) at MacDill AFB, FL. The JCSE is a joint command (Army, Navy, Airforce and Marines).

Center for BrainHealth® – part of The University of Texas at Dallas – is a nonprofit research institute redefining how people understand and enhance brain health and performance. Through advanced research and science-backed programs, we empower individuals to take a proactive approach to improving their brain health. Our mission is driven by discovery, innovation, and a deep commitment to making brain health accessible to all.

Our Needs for Strategic Military Brain Health

The brain – your most vital organ – faces extraordinary challenges in military life. The transition from combat to home can be abrupt and jarring, often leaving lasting impacts. Many service members return home carrying the invisible wounds of prolonged stress, including traumatic brain injury effects, sleep disturbances, long-term pain, mood disorders, and other brain health challenges.

Your gift to Center for BrainHealth on North Texas Giving Day 2026 will help deliver Optimal BrainHealth for Warfighters to support our Special Operations Forces (SOF) and veterans through our partnership with U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). This program provides essential tools to strengthen brain resilience and performance, including the BrainHealth® Index and Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Tactics (SMART™) training.

Just as physical training builds strength and recovery, brain training helps protect and optimize cognitive health and rebound from injury. Through on-site programming and embedded “brain health coaches,” we’re working directly with warriors to measure, monitor, and improve their brain performance – helping them thrive both during and after service.

Your Gift Goes Further in 2026

Thanks to a $1 million challenge match from retired U.S. Navy four-star admiral and former UT System chancellor William McRaven, recipient of the Bezos Courage & Civility Award, and his wife, Georgeann, your contribution will be fully matched.

This is an exciting opportunity to turn your support into twice the impact. Together, we can help strengthen the brain health, resilience, and performance of those who serve and their families. Your matched gift will help us bring life-changing brain health resources to more warriors and their families. A gift today is a meaningful way to honor those who serve our nation with courage and sacrifice while helping ensure they have the brain health support they need to thrive.