Gary Sinise Foundation
The Gary Sinise Foundation is a public charity based in Franklin, Tennessee. Founded in 2010, it supports veterans, military members, first responders, their families, and others in need through programs intended to honor, assist, and build community among America’s heroes.
Gary Sinise Foundation at a glance
In short: Gary Sinise Foundation gave $17.0M across 169 grants in 2025 (avg $100K), top state Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $16,963,328
- +77.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 169
- +16.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $100,375
- +51.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $89,011,140
- +3.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (28% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Gary Sinise Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Formal requests or referrals from trusted partner organizations are reviewed, with supporting information gathered based on the applicant’s specific needs. First responder departments may apply for the First Responders Outreach Grant once per calendar year; the grant excludes building costs and weaponry.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 40726, Nashville, TN 37204
Phone: (615) 575-3500
Website: https://garysinisefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Gary Sinise Foundation
Who Gary Sinise Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boulder Crest Foundation ($4.5M). Together the top 10 received $10.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
566 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 429 grants of 566 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes programs serving heroes and communities nationwide. In 2025, the largest shares of its grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia (28%), Tennessee (16%), California (15%), Florida (5%), and New York (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 169 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Gary Sinise Foundation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.3M (2023) to $17.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 169 grants totaling $17.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder Crest Foundation Bluemont, VA | Alliance - Fund Struggle Well/BC Retreats | $4,500,000 |
| Hyperformance Foundation Duck River, TN | Sports/Rec Provider Grant | $2,000,000 |
| Metanoia Films LLC Playa Del Rey, CA | Mental Health Seminars | $1,841,750 |
| Friends of Firefighters Inc Brooklyn, NY | Alliance Support-FDNY | $570,000 |
| Training to Perform Under Pressure LLC Cape Coral, FL | Training for First Responders | $427,254 |
| Travis Mills Foundation Mount Vernon, ME | Supporting TM Mission/Programs | $350,000 |
| Lighthouse Family Retreat Inc Alpharetta, GA | Retreat for Military/FR W/Childhood Cancer | $284,625 |
| Centerstone Nashville, TN | Alliance Support - Mental Wellness | $250,000 |
| No Greater Sacrifice Foundation Washington, DC | Scholarships for Children of Fallen | $250,000 |
| Mes Service Company LLC Sandy Hook, CT | Equipment Grant Fulfillments | $229,920 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $89,011,140 | $85,518,656 | $82,713,579 | $16,963,328 | 169 | $7,220,056 |
| 2024 | $85,641,059 | $81,363,373 | $75,061,687 | $9,584,376 | 145 | $2,907,987 |
| 2023 | $77,522,630 | $10,672,674 | $15,917,661 | $4,341,042 | 24 | $172,656 |
| 2022 | $83,884,656 | $61,342,171 | $59,160,035 | $10,629,421 | 90 | $820,138 |
| 2021 | $79,715,180 | $58,070,139 | $36,643,851 | $8,094,604 | 138 | $2,222,164 |
| 2020 | $61,399,972 | $48,867,816 | $39,064,882 | $6,940,037 | 60 | $321,878 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it serves the nation by honoring defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. It does this through programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.
Its 2025 grants included support for organizations addressing post-traumatic growth, firefighter and family wellness, veterans’ programs, respite for families caring for a child with cancer, scholarships, and first responder training. For example, Boulder Crest Foundation describes its mission as facilitating posttraumatic growth through programs, training, education, research, and advocacy. Friends of Firefighters says it provides confidential counseling, wellness services, and other support to FDNY firefighters and their families. Travis Mills Foundation describes its work as supporting recalibrated veterans and their families through long-term programs. Lighthouse Family Retreat says it provides respite for families caring for a child with cancer. No Greater Sacrifice Foundation says it provides scholarships and resources for children of fallen and wounded service members.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 169 grants totaling $16,963,328. Grants ranged from $5,200 to $4,500,000, with a median grant of $30,000.
The largest grants included $4,500,000 to Boulder Crest Foundation for an alliance supporting Struggle Well and Boulder Crest retreats; $2,000,000 to Hyperformance Foundation for a sports and recreation provider grant; and $1,841,750 to Metanoia Films LLC for mental health seminars. Other grants included $570,000 to Friends of Firefighters Inc for FDNY alliance support, $427,254 to Training to Perform Under Pressure LLC for first responder training, and $350,000 to Travis Mills Foundation for its mission and programs.
The foundation says grants are provided to those who submit formal requests or are referred by trusted partner organizations. It reviews applications and obtains supporting background information based on recipients’ specific needs; written memoranda of understanding are used when appropriate.
The currently active First Responders Outreach Grant supports first responder departments with equipment and training. Departments may submit one application per calendar year, whether or not a prior application was approved. Building costs and weaponry are excluded.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Gary Sinise as chairman and founder; Vincent Brooks as vice chairman; John Heubusch as secretary; and James Shubert as treasurer. Listed directors are Gregory Gadson, Patricia Horoho, Andrea Mandell, Robert Pence, Moira Sinise (through March 2025), and Pastor Velasco.
Gary Sinise Foundation is led by Donna Mercier, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 13 of 23 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Donna Mercier
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$376K (2024) → $454K (2025)
Gary Sinise
Chairman & Founder
Chair, President & Director → Chairman & Founder, 2025
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina A. Kreisel
Senior Director - Corporate & Community Relations
Senior Director-Corp & Community Development → Senior Director-Corp & Communications, 2024
Senior Director-Corp & Communications → Senior Director - Corporate & Community Relations, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$127K (2022) → $158K (2025)
Laura M. Krieger
Senior Director - Philanthropic Strategy
Director of Research-Philanthropy → Director of Research-Phila, 2024
Director of Research-Phila → Senior Director - Philanthropic Strategy, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$120K (2022) → $156K (2025)
Gregory D. Gadson
Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Moira Sinise
Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pastor Velasco
Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Horoho
Director
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Pence
Director
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Mandell
Director
On filings since 2024
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Titus
Senior Vice President - Operations & Businesss
Senior Vice President - Operations & Bus → Senior Vice President - Operations & Business, 2024
Senior Vice President - Operations & Business → Senior Vice President - Operations & Businesss, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$67K (2023) → $230K (2025)
Hannah Luppino
Vice President - Programs
Director of Events → Vice President of Programs, 2024
Vice President of Programs → Vice President - Programs, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$113K (2020) → $157K (2025)
James Ravella
Executive Vice President
Vice President of Programs → Senior Vice President of Programs, 2024
Senior Vice President of Programs → Executive Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$159K (2020) → $259K (2025)
Gilbert M. Bosworth
Vice President - R.i.s.e. Program
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives → Vice President of Outreach & Education, 2024
Vice President of Outreach & Education → Vice President - R.i.s.e. Program, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$123K (2021) → $162K (2025)
Robert George
Vice President - Outreach
Director of Outreach → Senior Director of Outreach, 2024
Senior Director of Outreach → Vice President - Outreach, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$124K (2022) → $154K (2025)
Sarah Hollis
Vice President - Philanthropy
Vice President of Philanthropy → Vice President - Philanthropy, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$159K (2022) → $209K (2025)
Erin Dancer
Senior Philanthropic Advisor
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$160K (2024) → $119K (2025)
Megan Riel
Salesforce Manager
Senior Salesforce Specialist → Salesforce Manager, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$130K (2024) → $140K (2025)
Cristin Bartter-Kampsnider
Vice President - Marcomms
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$226K (2025)
Elizabeth Dolan
Philanthropic Advisor
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$197K (2025)
John D. Heubusch
Secretary
Director & Secretary → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vincent Brooks
Vice Chairman
Director & Vice Chair of the Board → Director & Vice Chair of the, 2022
Director & Vice Chair of the → Vice Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Shubert
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Jim Shubert (2020–2024) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Cristin K. Bartter (2021–2024) — Vice President of Marketing
- Former: Robert Kilduff (2021–2024) — CFO
- Former: David Kahle (2022–2024) — Senior Philanthropic Advisor
- Former: Shannon Woodward (2022–2024) — Vice President of Philanthropy
- Former: Raven Stringer (2024) — Accountant
- Former: Donna E. Palmer (2021–2023) — Executive Director · Filing note: From 092021
- Former: Michael R. Thirtle (2021–2022) — CEO
- Former: Colleen E. Mollica (2022) — Hr Director
- Former: Kimberly M. Payne (2022) — Hr Director
- Former: Yates Bryant (2022) — Controller
- Former: Akweta Bereal (2020–2021) — Director of External Relat
- Former: Elizabeth Fields (2020–2021) — Chief Ops. Officer
- Former: Gary Starr (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Robin Rand (2020–2021) — CEO
- Former: Jeanine C. Cavicchia (2021) — Director of Development
- Former: Andrew Ozurovich (2020) — CFO
- Former: Raymond Sands (2020) — Director of Chapter Development
- Former: Ricardo Chavira (2020) — Senior Director of Marketing
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $454K, to Donna Mercier (Executive Director). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Gary Sinise Foundation
How much does Gary Sinise Foundation give each year?
Gary Sinise Foundation gave $17.0M across 169 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $9.6M across 145 grants.
What is Gary Sinise Foundation's typical grant size?
Gary Sinise Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $100,375, across 169 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Gary Sinise Foundation give grants?
Gary Sinise Foundation's top state is Virginia, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Tennessee (16%) and California (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants), Nashville, TN (4 grants), Walnut Creek, CA (3 grants) and Portage, MI (3 grants).
Does Gary Sinise Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 169 grants with a stated purpose on Gary Sinise Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Equipment Grant Fulfillment" (93 grants).
Who are Gary Sinise Foundation's largest grantees?
Gary Sinise Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Boulder Crest Foundation ($4,500,000), Hyperformance Foundation ($2,000,000) and Metanoia Films LLC ($1,841,750), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Gary Sinise Foundation?
Gary Sinise Foundation reported $89.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $85.5M.
What does Gary Sinise Foundation fund?
The foundation says it serves the nation by honoring defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. It does this through programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gary Sinise Foundation?
Formal requests or referrals from trusted partner organizations are reviewed, with supporting information gathered based on the applicant’s specific needs. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gary Sinise Foundation's EIN?
Gary Sinise Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 80-0587086. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 16, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gary Sinise Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gary Sinise Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gary-sinise-foundation-morg_f443047f8d624a21ab1050bb57822fa0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_800587086_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gary Sinise Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gary-sinise-foundation-morg_f443047f8d624a21ab1050bb57822fa0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Gary Sinise Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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