Herman Ybarra // U.S. Air Force photo, Stacey Lockhart, executive director of The Shade Tree, pictured here Rachel Aston // Las Vegas Review Journal, Tech. program, combining counseling, education, self-development, and recreational therapy to help build well-adjusted families. We also conduct charity assessments to help charities improve their practices and demonstrate trust. Charity Navigator Rating: 97.62% (82% of their expenses goes towards their programs) Bob Woodruff was a journalist and co-anchor for ABC's "World News Tonight." In 2006, while he was reporting in Iraq, his . Financial score: 78.49 We work with veterans, active-duty service members, and their families with our exclusive three part A.R.T. Jerome S. Tayborn // U.S. Air Force photo, Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alan Gragg // U.S. Navy, Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Brizzell // Wikimedia Commons, Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley // Wikimedia Commons, Army Staff Sgt. It's hard . Mission: NEADS World Class Service Dogs ("NEADS Inc."formerly known as National Education for Assistance Dog Services and Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans) was established in 1976. Overall score: 90.38 (View our beacon methodology.) While others on this list address homelessness and animal cruelty, this animal charity addresses the financial cost of owning an animal. The children can attend any accredited college they are accepted to attend. Stacker distribution partners receive a license to all Stacker stories, Mission: Soldiers' Angels is a national nonprofit organization providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, their families and a growing veteran population. The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. The foundation also offers a Community Outreach and Education program designed to build relationships between military and civilian communities. Focus: Military Family Support Program expense ratio: 84.8%. However, the only donation the IRS has ever been able to trace to . See the metrics below for more information. Focus: Military Social Services Financial score: 76.91 Your email address will not be published. Accounting and transparency score: 93.00 DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust, Executive director for Officers Christian Fellowship pictured here Christopher DeWitt // U.S. Air Force photo, #44. Program expense ratio: 91.7%. Incorporated in 1904, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has been meeting the needs of Navy and Marine Corps members, their families, widows and children for more than a century. Goal Two: Surge response for 40M+ people affected by climate crisis and conflict. CFC# 25131. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar has gone directly to our program services for Veterans. Overall score: 93.15 Mission: Freedom Alliance was founded in 1990 by Oliver North, who now serves as the organization's honorary chairman. Overall score: 93.12 These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. Program expense ratio: 69.3%. Their goal has been to support veterans who require healthcare and need to travel to receive it by eliminating housing worries. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. Overall score: 83.85 This organization builds mortgage-free and specially adapted houses for veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Mission: National Military Family Association is the only national organization that for more than 45 years has represented officer and enlisted families of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health Service. Mercy Medical Angels provides free transportation nationwide to and from medical care for qualifying in-need individuals and their families. Program expense ratio: 85.5%. Signature services also include group workshops and connecting the job seeker with veteran-friendly companies and employment opportunities through the Hire Heroes USA Job Board. Sgt. -CAREs partnerships with companies, corporate foundations and entrepreneurs help us develop socially responsible initiatives that build stronger communities. Mission: The National World War II Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the worldwhy it was fought, how it was won, and what it means todayso that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. For more than 150 years, the Armed Services YMCA has been making military life easier for our troops and their families. A diversion of assets any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. Program expense ratio: 85.5%. Therefore, Hope for the Warriors is an organization committed to supporting this process. TAPS has assisted over 80,000 surviving family members, casualty officers, and caregivers. This sounded very fishy and I donate to legitimate veterans' groups, such as Wounded Warriors, Disabled American Veterans, etc. Mission: Founded in 1904, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society operates nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the world. Simply enter the organization's name (CARE) or EIN (131685039) in the 'Search Term' field. These unique and fun experiences include learn-to-ski camps, specialized programs for people living with autism, retreats for injured military servicemen and women, which include their family members, and children's art and music camps in the summertime. You're faster than our page! Accounting and transparency score: 100.00 The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) established the National Home in 1925 to care for the children and families of our nation's veterans. -preserve and exhibit the material history of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz; and, Focus: Military Social Services All rights reserved. Mission: Blue Star Families (BSF) strengthens military families every day. Accounting and transparency score: 96.00 Focus: Wounded Troops Services Learn more about our criteria and methodology. As reported by charities on their IRS Form 990, this measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on overhead, administrative staff and associated costs, and organizational meetings. Gary Sinise is an American actor, musician, and humanitarian. We made a pledge to the special operators serving and we are 100% committed to keeping that pledge. Overall score: 87.25 (Less). We rely 100% on private donations and receive no government funding. Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has these governance practices in place. "Providing support and assistance to the U.S. military'sspecial operations community". Program expense ratio: 79.7%. Overall score: 94.41 Financial score: 78.67 Visit their website here: www.GarySiniseFoundation.org. Financial score: 84.22 -Through grassroots partnerships CARE helps support and strengthen small-scale organizations and coalitions in the interest of our common goals. Partial Credit: There has been a diversion of assets within the last two years and the charity has used Schedule O on the Form 990 to explain: the nature of the diversion, the amount of money or property involved and the corrective action taken to address the matter. Focus: Military Social Services Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization makes this information easily accessible. We facilitate lasting change by: strengthening capacity for self-help; providing economic opportunity; delivering relief in emergencies; influencing policy decisions at all levels; and addressing discrimination in all its forms. Top Choices Among Veterans Charities. Designed and executed by our staff of certified therapists and dedicated professionals, each program helps our participants build physical and social skills they can take with them for a lifetime. We work closely with the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association to do that. There are a few guidelines and Mission: At Operation Finally Home, we provide homes and home modifications to America's military Heroes and the widows of the fallen who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms and values. Since our founding, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has awarded more than 40,000 scholarships valued at nearly $125 million. Mission: Operation Homefront builds strong, stable and secure military families so they can thrive in the communities they work so hard to protect. HFOTs goal is to provide veterans with severe injuries from post-9/11 wars with homes that are custom built to accommodate their specific disabilities. Could you pass the U.S. citizenship test? According to Charity Navigator, ALSAC/St. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics. When faraway parents read stories to their children and send the video recordings and books home: Do get a receipt showing how much you've given. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years. The USO is a congressionally chartered, private organization that relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of over 30,000 volunteers to accomplish our mission. The dogs involved in Paws and Stripes are all from local animal rescues and shelters. Financial score: 96.81 Mission: ThanksUSA "thanks" the men and women of the United States armed forces by awarding need-based college, technical, and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses. No Credit: The charity did not have its audited financials prepared by an independent accountant. -Provide integrated therapeutic assistance when matched with caring professionals in settings like classrooms, hospitals, courthouses, mental health practices, and the ministry. In this case, we deduct 15 points from the charity's Accountability and Transparency score. Making a difference for Sailors, Marines, and their families. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Overall score: 86.77 Hope for the Warriors was founded by military families atCamp Lejeune, North Carolina, in 2006, as they witnessed, firsthand, the effects war imparts on service members and their families. To achieve this, the organization provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans and military families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement and connections to community resources. Since our founding in 2004, we have assisted 22,000 service members with $185 million in grants. CARE has earned a 93% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. Accounting and transparency score: 100.00 Financial score: 82.50 . Most charity watchdog organizations state that a minimum percentage of 70 percent of an organization's revenue should be used for its program delivery. Focus: Wounded Troops Services Accounting and transparency score: 97.00 The founder of the National Veterans Foundation, Floyd Shad' Meshad has been working with Veterans since 1970. We help charitable givers make intelligent giving decisions by providing information on over five thousand . Charities specifically support military children, military spouses, and survivors. (It is not necessary that the audit committee be a separate committee. Financial score: 88.71 The Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans is a non-profit organization and considered one of the best charities in support of homeless veterans. We check the charity's last two Forms 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets. we advise families about finances medical care mental health respite care and other available aid as they cope with the lingering effects of war and the military lifestyle. Overall score: 100.00 The fund also helps to provide housing assistance to injured soldiers and their families, opportunities for children ofwounded warriors to attend summer camp, canine assistance and ongoing transportation assistance, along with several other unique programs aimed at easing the transition for wounded soldiers and their families. Treatment for post-service mental health services, Drivers rehabilitation services for veterans with traumatic brain injury, Access to food, shelter, and other necessary items for homeless or at-risk veterans and their families. We identify and work with others to resolve emerging military family-related issues. 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