01
Build relationships
Form real relationships with military service members and veterans across the state.
A LockLeed International Nonprofit · Est. 2025
Serving those who served America.
The LockLeed Outdoor Foundation brings military service members and veterans together in the outdoors — on the ice, in the field, and around the fire — to build relationships, share stories, and refocus after service.
Founded by Joel Peterson · U.S. Army Ranger · Purple Heart
2025
Founded
U.S. Army
Veteran-Led
Minnesota
Statewide Focus
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Core Commitments
Our Mission
Camaraderie is a mission that never ends.
The LockLeed Outdoor Foundation is the newest addition to the LockLeed International family of companies and nonprofits dedicated to helping military personnel and veterans. Our focus is simple and human: building relationships and fostering camaraderie in our community.
We create space for service members and veterans to get to know one another, spend time thinking about life, and reground themselves after their military experiences — in the places that make Minnesota feel like home.
Relationships
Real connections with the service members and veterans around us.
Camaraderie
Places to gather, share stories, and belong to something again.
Refocus
Time to reground and refocus on the road ahead, together.
What We Stand For
Four commitments to those who served
Everything we build comes back to these goals — set by our founder and shared by everyone who joins us.
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Places to gather
Build recognition of the need for places where veterans can gather and share their stories.
03
Support other nonprofits
Support the organizations already providing vital services for service members and veterans.
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A community of service
Create a community of people who believe that serving others is important.
Joel PetersonFounder · U.S. Army
Our Founder
Meet Joel Peterson
Joel is a U.S. Army veteran who leads this new foundation with the heart of a leader and the eye of an operator. His background as an NCO and Ranger gives him the leadership skills and operational expertise to bring this foundation to life.
Like so many in his generation, Joel's service began after 9/11. He was in college earning straight A's but searching for purpose. He joined the Army hoping to fly helicopters and instead found himself in the Infantry with an Airborne specialty — with plenty of stories to tell, from learning to surf in Hawaii to his time in Ranger School.
In 2007 he was wounded in Iraq and spent months recovering and rebuilding his life, retiring in 2009 with a Purple Heart. Joel credits the many organizations that gave him the support and encouragement he needed to find stability — and that's exactly what he's paying forward now.
“I've met so many great people over the last 15 years, and each of them played a part in making my life better. I have three kids now, and they're the best thing that ever happened to me.”
— Joel Peterson, Founder
It's time to create an environment that normalizes a soldier's return to civilian life — and embraces the unique challenges they face when they come home.
The heart of the LockLeed Outdoor Foundation
What We Do
Getting outdoors, together
The emphasis is always on getting to know each other and refocusing after service. Here's what we're building for the seasons ahead.
Ice Fishing
Winter outings on the hardwater — augers, heaters, and hours of good conversation on the ice.
This WinterHunting & Fishing Outings
Days in the field and on the water where camaraderie comes as naturally as the outdoors itself.
SeasonalGun Raffle
A community raffle that rallies supporters and helps fund the outings and gatherings ahead.
In PlanningFundraising
Opportunities for individuals and businesses to invest in relationships that change lives.
LaunchingAn Inaugural Gala
A first-of-its-kind evening to launch the foundation, honor those who served, and rally our community.
Coming Soon— · —
Have an idea of your own?
We're just getting started, and the best outings come from the people who show up. Tell us what you'd like to see.
Get Involved →
Get Involved
Join us — the foundation is just beginning
We're building our board, forming partnerships, and launching our first outings and fundraising. There's a place here for everyone who believes that serving others matters.
Partner with us
Are you a nonprofit or business serving veterans? Let's find ways to support each other's work.
Join the team or board
We're assembling a founding board and crew of volunteers. If you want in, we want to meet you.
Sponsor & support
Fuel the outings and the gala. Our giving portal is on the way — reach out and we'll show you how to help today.
Come to an event
Ice fishing, outings, and an inaugural gala are all in the works. Tell us you'd like an invite.
Part of the LockLeed International family. LockLeed builds companies and nonprofits dedicated to helping military personnel and veterans thrive in civilian life.