Gary Sinise Foundation does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.
GSF does not meet this Standard because:
- Two members out of the six member board of directors (33%), including the chair, are indirectly compensated as the parents of a paid staff member.
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
GSF does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 19 (Cause Related Marketing)
Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).
GSF does not meet this Standard because, in the past year, the organization participated in promotions for the sale of consumer goods or services which indicated that the organization would benefit from these purchases. The promotions, however, did not specify:
- The actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price that will benefit the organization.
Gary Sinise Foundation meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
2010, DE
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Stated Purpose
"to serve the nation by honoring its defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need."
Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF) creates and supports programs designed to entertain, education, inspire, strengthen and build communities. The organization's R.I.S.E programs aim to ease the daily challenges faced by the nation's injured, wounded, ill and aging heroes by providing the resources they need to regain their mobility and independence. GSF builds mortgage-free specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded heroes and provides home modifications, mobility devices, and adaptive vehicles to help improve life for defenders and their families. GSF's Relief and Resiliency programs aims to ensure the nation's defenders and their families stay strong through hardships by offering support before, during, and after battle. Through the organization's Invincible Spirit Festivals, Mental Health, H.O.P.E., the Gary Sinise Foundation's Snowball Express, and Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band programming, the organization celebrates and honors the nation's heroes and helps their families find the strength to persevere and heal. GSF's Community Outreach and Education programs strive to bridge the gap between defender and civilian communities by honoring America's heroes, both past and present, and inspiring the next generation to do the same. Through the organization's Soaring Valor, Serving Heroes, Arts and Entertainment Outreach, Ambassadors Council, and Center for Education and Outreach programming, GSF celebrates and shows gratitude to the nation's defenders and educates communities about the importance of service over self. The organization's First Responders Outreach programs honor firefighters, police, and EMTs. Through this program, GSF provides funding for emergency relief, training, and essential equipment to ensure first responders are able to perform to the best of their abilities.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, Gary Sinise Foundation's program expenses were:
| R.I.S.E. |
$13,377,707 |
| Relief and resiliency |
$9,580,141 |
| Community outreach and education |
$2,916,888 |
| First responders |
$715,984 |
| Military support concerts |
$412,768 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$27,003,488 |
*2019 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Radio, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Television, Other
Fundraising costs were 3% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $35,185,333, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Gary Sinise Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.
| Source of Funds |
| Individuals |
$13,936,972 |
| Foundations |
$10,872,073 |
| In-kind donations |
$6,007,480 |
| Corporations |
$3,372,738 |
| Board contributions |
$1,504,192 |
| Indirect public support |
$977,289 |
| Investment income, net |
$468,095 |
| Bequests |
$393,295 |
| Performances |
$296,500 |
| Merchandise sales |
$82,907 |
| Other income |
$34,774 |
| Realized/unrealized loss on investments |
($939,353) |
| Total Income |
$37,006,962 |
- Programs: 90%
- Administrative: 7%
- Fundraising: 3%
| Total Income |
$37,006,962 |
| Program expenses |
$27,003,488 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$1,130,329 |
| Administrative expenses |
$1,915,915 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$30,049,732 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$6,957,230 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$36,335,540 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$43,292,770 |
| Total Liabilities |
$3,395,749 |
| Total Assets |
$46,688,519 |
Note: According to GSF's 2018 audited financial statements, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $6,007,480 in the form of donated services ($4,708,599) and donated materials ($1,298,881).