American Warrior Initiative Inc. is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to supporting military families, veterans, and first responders. The organization operates as a private nonoperating foundation with a national reach across all 50 states. AWI's work centers on funding service dogs, conducting educational outreach, and supporting community-based initiatives that serve America's military community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$885K
+0.6% YoY
Grant Count
134
+7.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-6.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of American Warrior Initiative is to Educate, Inspire, and Give Back to Military Families and Veterans.
The organization's primary focus areas include:
- Service Dogs: Funding life-changing service dogs for veterans and first responders, with a focus on restoring independence, confidence, and hope
- AWREP (American Warrior Real Estate Professional) Boot Camps: Training real estate professionals to better serve active duty and veteran clients navigating home purchases
- Community Outposts: Empowering local communities through fundraising events and initiatives
- Give-Back Initiatives: Supporting wounded veterans through mortgage-free housing, business grants, home upgrades, and additional assistance programs
- Nonprofit Support: Providing grants to nonprofit organizations that serve military veterans
Grantmaking
American Warrior Initiative has established a significant grantmaking track record:
Grant Range
$4,000
Average Grant
$8,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
American Warrior Initiative funds organizations nationally across all 50 states. Primary funding concentrations include:
- Madison, Wisconsin (headquarters location)
- Texas
- Indiana
- Virginia
- Louisiana
The organization's grantmaking reaches organizations across 42 states, with particular concentration in Wisconsin, Texas, and Indiana, which account for approximately 25% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $3,413,772
- Total revenues: $1,139,521
- Total expenses: $977,389
- Annual giving: $879,944 to $885,001
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $1.7 million in 2019 to $3.4 million in 2024.
Giving Rate: Approximately 25.3% of assets distributed annually.
Governance: The foundation is governed by 5 officers and trustees with 0 employees listed.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Custom Canines Service Dog Academy Inc ($305,303), Brigadoon Service Dogs ($30,000), Dog Training Elite Oklahoma ($24,739).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFJROTC W CONVINA WEST COVINA, CA | SUPPORT EXEMPT PURPOSE | $150 |
| AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION OF THE UNITED SPORTS ACADEMY CHESAPEAKE, VA | SUPPORT EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| ANDERSON LINDSEY HUTCHINSON, MN | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | $885 |
| ANDERSON REBECCA GRANBURY, TX | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | $2,306 |
| ANDREWS TONYA ARGYLE, TX | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | $3,118 |
| ARSENAULT WILLIE CARLSBAD, CA | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | $505 |
| BARER CHRISTIAN TEMPLE, TX | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | $761 |
| BARR JAY CHEYENNE, WY | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | $1,010 |
| BARRETT MICHAEL ELIZABETH CITY, NC | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | $825 |
| BARRY JAMES GRANDY, NC | GRANT - FLOOD | $6,484 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Louise Thaxton - National Speaker & Author, Veterans Advocate, Mortgage Professional, CEO/Founder
Todd Gavinski - Principal Officer, Treasurer
Steven Jacobson - President
Leonard Krupinski - Director
Jason Redman - Retired Navy SEAL, National Speaking Team Member
Karen Vaughn - Gold Star Mother, Freedom Tours Co-Leader
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN JACOBSON | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| LEONARD KRUPINSKI | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| TODD GAVINSKI | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JULIE FRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LOUISE THAXTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Service Dog Placements:**
AWI has helped place 438 service dogs to date, restoring independence, confidence, and hope to veterans and first responders
**Educational Outreach:**
AWREP Boot Camps have reached over 35,000 real estate agents and business professionals nationwide, raising awareness about challenges veterans face when returning home from war
**Community Initiatives:**
Hundreds of give-back initiatives have been spearheaded to support wounded heroes of America
Freedom Tours launched in 2018 with Gold Star mother Karen Vaughn, sharing perspectives on honoring military sacrifice
**Recent Campaign:**
AWI22Challenge campaign launched to provide service dogs for U.S. veterans
American Warrior Initiative launches #AWI22Challenge campaign to provide"10 Service Dogs in 10 Days" initiative presented service dogs to 10 U.S. military veterans
American Warrior Initiative Presents 10 Service Dogs in 10 Days to 10 U.S.Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does American Warrior Initiative Inc fund?
The mission of American Warrior Initiative is to Educate, Inspire, and Give Back to Military Families and Veterans. The organization's primary focus areas include: • **Service Dogs**: Funding life-changing service dogs for veterans and first responders, with a focus on restoring independence, confidence, and hope • **AWREP (American Warrior Real Estate Professional) Boot Camps**: Training real estate professionals to better serve active duty and veteran clients navigating home purchases • **Com…
How do I apply for a grant from American Warrior Initiative Inc?
American Warrior Initiative has established a significant grantmaking track record: **Grant Activity:** • Total grants made: 610 grants totaling $4.8 million (historical) • Median grant size: $4,000 • Average grant size: $8,000 • Grant range: $103 to $340,000 • Number of unique organizations supported: 431 **Recent Annual Giving:** • 2023: $879,944 to $885,001 across 86 grants • 2022: $2.1 million across 314 grants (highest grantmaking year) • 2021: $1.8 million **Application Process:** The fou…
Where does American Warrior Initiative Inc make grants?
American Warrior Initiative funds organizations nationally across all 50 states. Primary funding concentrations include: • Madison, Wisconsin (headquarters location) • Texas • Indiana • Virginia • Louisiana The organization's grantmaking reaches organizations across 42 states, with particular concentration in Wisconsin, Texas, and Indiana, which account for approximately 25% of all grants.
What size grants does American Warrior Initiative Inc award?
In 2024, American Warrior Initiative Inc awarded 134 grants totaling $885K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is American Warrior Initiative Inc's EIN?
American Warrior Initiative Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3566126. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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