What's happening.

The Minnesota Secretary of State filed our Articles of Incorporation on 12 December 2025. The LockLeed Outdoor Foundation now legally exists as a Minnesota nonprofit corporation under Chapter 317A, with Joel Peterson as incorporator and registered agent.

In plain English: the paperwork that turns an idea into an organization is done. There is now a real entity that can hold a bank account, accept support, sign agreements and stand up a board.

What this is not: it isn't our 501(c)(3). That's a separate application to the IRS, and it is still pending. Our Articles are written for 501(c)(3) purposes — that's a requirement of applying, not an approval. Until the determination letter arrives we won't tell anyone their gift is tax-deductible. The day it does, you'll read it here.

What's next

• Building the founding board — details here if that's you
• The 501(c)(3) application
• Getting the first outing onto the ice
• Planning the inaugural gala

The LockLeed Outdoor Foundation is the newest addition to the LockLeed International family of companies and nonprofits dedicated to helping military personnel and veterans. Joel Peterson, a U.S. Army veteran, leads it — his background as an NCO and Ranger gives him the leadership skills and operational expertise to bring this venture to life.

Joel's service began, like so many in his generation, after the 9/11 attacks. He was in college earning straight A's but frustrated by a lack of purpose. He joined the Army hoping to fly helicopters and instead went into 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. He credits the many organizations that gave him the support and encouragement he needed to find stability.

“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

The emphasis is on getting to know each other, spending time thinking about life, and refocusing as people reground themselves following their military experiences. As Joel puts it: 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.

Ideas already on the table: ice fishing this winter, hunting and fishing outings, a gun raffle, fundraising, and an inaugural gala. Our four goals are here, and you can hear Joel tell his own story on the “Strength From Service” podcast.