Gary Sinise Foundation
The Gary Sinise Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee (with offices in Nashville). Founded in 2010, the organization serves the nation by honoring defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need through programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$85.6M
+10.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.6M
+120.8% YoY
Grant Count
145
+504.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$66K
-63.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To serve the nation by honoring its defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Relief and Resiliency Outreach: Financial aid and support for wounded, ill, and injured veterans; families of fallen heroes; and those coping with trauma and loss
- Veteran Support: Programs serving veterans from all conflicts, including severely wounded heroes and post-9/11 injured service members
- First Responder Support: Assistance for active first responders and their families
- Specialized Programs:
- Adapted smart homes for severely wounded heroes
- Adapted vehicles and mobility devices
- Mental wellness and suicide prevention support
- Mentorship programs for injured heroes
- Snowball events for families of fallen military and first responder heroes
- Soaring Valor program (in partnership with The National WWII Museum)
- Oral history documentation of WWII veterans
Grantmaking
The foundation provides direct grants and financial assistance to individuals and first responder departments:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates nationally, serving communities across the United States. Recent grant activity documented in multiple states including Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024-2025):
- Total Revenue: $85.5 million (2025)
- Total Expenses: $82.7 million (2025)
- Total Assets: $89 million (2025)
- Total Liabilities: $5.61 million (2025)
2024 Tax Year:
- Total Revenues: $81,363,373
- Total Expenses: $75,061,687
- Total Assets: $85,641,059
- Program Spending: 86.1% of budget
- Overhead: 13.9% of budget
Staffing: 68-89 employees
Rating: Four-Star rating with 100% score on accountability and finance metrics
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $85,641,059 | $77,522,630 | $83,884,656 |
| Revenue | $81,363,373 | $10,672,674 | $61,342,171 |
| Expenses | $75,061,687 | $15,917,661 | $59,160,035 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,907,987 | $172,656 | $820,138 |
| 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
224 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Gary Sinise Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Avalon Action Alliance ($2,000,000), Cu Anschutz Advancement Office ($500,000), Municipal Emergency Services ($499,256).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AVALON ACTION ALLIANCE ATLANTA, GA | VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS SUPPORT | $2,000,000 |
| CU ANSCHUTZ ADVANCEMENT OFFICE AURORA, CO | EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT | $500,000 |
| MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY SERVICES SANDY HOOK, CT | FIRST RESPONDER EQUIPMENT | $499,256 |
| ANGELS OF AMERICA'S FALLEN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | SUPPORT CHILDRENS OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS | $450,000 |
| FRIENDS OF FIREFIGHTERS INC BROOKLYN, NY | MENTAL WELLNESS INITIATIVES SUPPORT | $400,000 |
| WARRIORS HEART BANDERA, TX | SOBER LIVING SUPPORT | $302,920 |
| TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION COLLEGE STATION, TX | VETS FOR SERVICE ANIMALS SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| WARRIORS REUNION FOUNDATION COCKEYSVILLE, MD | REUNIONS SUPPORT | $170,000 |
| CREATIVETS NASHVILLE, TN | ART + MUSIC PROGRAMMING FOR VETERANS | $165,791 |
| SAFE INDUSTRIES EASLEY, SC | FIRST RESPONDER EQUIPMENT | $158,007 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Executive Director: Donna Mercier
- Board Members: Include Vincent Brooks and others
- Key Staff: James Ravella (Executive Vice President), Barbara Titus (Vice President Business Operations)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOIRA SINISE | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| PASTOR VELASCO | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| GREGORY D GADSON | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| ROBERT PENCE | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| PATRICIA HOROHO | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| ANDREA MANDELL | DIRECTOR (FROM 8/2023) | 10 | — |
| JIM SHUBERT | DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 10 | — |
| VINCENT BROOKS | DIRECTOR/VICE CHAIR OF THE | 10 | — |
| GARY SINISE | CHAIR,PRESIDENT,DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| JOHN D HEUBUSCH | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 10 | — |
| BARBARA TITUS | SR. VP - OPERATIONS/BUSINESS | 40 | $227,195 |
| DONNA MERCIER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $376,287 |
| JAMES RAVELLA | SR. VP OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $217,552 |
| ROBERT KILDUFF | CFO (UNTIL 8/2023) | 40 | $152,653 |
| CRISTIN K BARTTER | VP OF MARKETING | 40 | $208,081 |
| GILBERT M BOSWORTH | VP OF OUTREACH & EDUCATION | 40 | $149,937 |
| HANNAH LUPPINO | VP OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $154,525 |
| RAVEN STRINGER | ACCOUNTANT | 40 | $108,009 |
| SHANNON WOODWARD | VP OF PHILANTHROPY | 40 | $163,631 |
| ROBERT GEORGE | SR. DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH | 40 | $135,564 |
| SARAH HOLLIS | VP OF PHILANTHROPY | 40 | $189,411 |
| DAVID KAHLE | SENIOR PHILANTHROPIC ADVIS | 40 | $196,433 |
| CHRISTINA A KREISEL | SENIOR DIRECTOR-CORP/COMMU | 40 | $142,699 |
| LAURA M KRIEGER | DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH-PHILA | 40 | $135,245 |
| ERIN DANCER | SENIOR PHILANTHROPIC ADVISOR | 40 | $159,938 |
| MEGAN RIEL | SR. SALESFORCE SPECIALIST | 40 | $129,855 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking to first responder departments for equipment and training needs. Recent grant announcements include support for fire rescue dive teams, EMS services, and fire department extrication equipment across multiple states. The organization maintains ongoing programs including annual snowball events for families of fallen heroes and mentorship retreats for injured veterans.
Clarksville Fire Rescue receives $33K grant for dive team ... - WSMVSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gary Sinise Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** To serve the nation by honoring its defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities. **Primary Focus Areas:** • **Relief and Resiliency Outreach:** Financial aid and support for wounded, ill, and injured veterans; families of fallen heroes; and those coping with trauma and loss • **Veteran Support:** Programs serving veterans from …
How do I apply for a grant from Gary Sinise Foundation?
The foundation provides direct grants and financial assistance to individuals and first responder departments: • **Individual Grants:** Provided over 557 grants to service members, veterans, and families in urgent need (2023-2024) • **First Responder Department Grants:** Recent grants to fire and rescue departments include: • $40,000 to West Hazleton Fire Department for rescue equipment • $35,000 to Rutherford County EMS • $33,000 to Clarksville Fire Rescue for dive team equipment • Grants to B…
Where does Gary Sinise Foundation make grants?
The foundation operates nationally, serving communities across the United States. Recent grant activity documented in multiple states including Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.
What size grants does Gary Sinise Foundation award?
In 2024, Gary Sinise Foundation awarded 145 grants totaling $9.6M — an average of about $66K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gary Sinise Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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