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
No grants recorded for .
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
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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