Special Operations Association of America
The Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) is a public charity based in Ashburn, Virginia, formed in 2021. It advocates for the policy and political interests of the Special Operations community and reports work supporting evacuation, housing, and healthcare access for Afghan refugees, alongside policy advocacy.
Key facts about Special Operations Association of America
- EIN
- 87-1216564
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Total assets
- $466,461
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$466K
+313.0% YoY
Revenue
$896K
+332.9% YoY
Expenses
$542K
-14.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
SOAA says it is committed to American interests at home and abroad, and to enhancing national security and enriching democracy by elevating the Special Operations community’s voice and advancing the policy and political interests of its members. Its strategic plan describes a mission of sustained advocacy, research, education, and community building for the Special Operations Forces community and their families.
The organization identifies issues including Operator Syndrome, support for Afghan and Iraqi interpreter allies, burn-pit exposure, eligibility for veterans’ benefits, and rules of engagement. Its website also describes crisis evacuations and humanitarian aid, non-lethal aid and training for allies, career-transition programs for operators, and medical care and suicide prevention.
Grantmaking
The available filing data lists one grant in 2023, totaling $15,100. No grantee or grant amount breakdown is provided. The filings list zero grants in 2024 and 2025.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SOAA states that it is committed to American interests both domestic and abroad. Its website describes crisis-response and evacuation work overseas as well as advocacy in the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2023) to $2.3M (2021). In 2024 it reported $332K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2025.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $466,461 | $895,637 | $542,124 | 0 |
| 2024 | $112,948 | $206,882 | $634,648 | 0 |
| 2023 | $559,836 | $691,798 | $512,612 | 1 grant; $15,100 total |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $466,461 | $112,948 | $559,836 |
| Revenue | $895,637 | $206,882 | $691,798 |
| Expenses | $542,124 | $634,648 | $512,612 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Daniel Elkins as president; Newton Howard, Scott Mann, Jess Monago, Keith Pellegrini, and Jaclyn Scott as directors; Christopher Lay as treasurer; Douglas Livermore as vice president; Christopher Miller as chairman; and Alex Plitsas as secretary.
Special Operations Association of America is led by Daniel Elkins, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Daniel Elkins
President
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$25K (2025)
Christopher Miller
Chairman
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jaclyn Scott
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Pellegrini
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jess Monago
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Newton Howard
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Mann
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Anthony Livermore
Vice President
Vice President → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex Plitsas
Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Lay
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Austin Higgins
CFO
New on the 2025 filing
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: David Cook (2023–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Stephen Patterson (2023–2024) — Chief Communications Officer
- Former: Chris Lay (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jean-Paul Carcenac (2023) — Director
- Former: Randy Morser (2023) — Director
- Former: Ryan Ziegler (2023) — Director
- Former: James Andrew Marr (2021–2022) — Vice President
- Former: James Conwey Casillas (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Joe Barnard (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $25K, to Daniel Elkins (President).
Contact
Mailing address: 44715 Prentice Drive, Ashburn, VA 20146
Phone: (771) 888-4224
Website: https://soaa.org
Frequently asked questions about Special Operations Association of America
How large is Special Operations Association of America?
Special Operations Association of America reported $466K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $896K.
What does Special Operations Association of America fund?
SOAA says it is committed to American interests at home and abroad, and to enhancing national security and enriching democracy by elevating the Special Operations community’s voice and advancing the policy and political interests of its members. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Special Operations Association of America?
Special Operations Association of America has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check soaa.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Special Operations Association of America make grants?
SOAA states that it is committed to American interests both domestic and abroad. Its website describes crisis-response and evacuation work overseas as well as advocacy in the United States.
What is Special Operations Association of America's EIN?
Special Operations Association of America's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-1216564. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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