Tip of the Spear Foundation
Founded by special operations personnel in 2011, Tip of the Spear Foundation (TOS) is an official 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting our nation's operators and their families during times of need. Operating with a low profile and "no-fail approach,"TOS delivers essential, timely, and impactful support to these men and their families.
Tip of the Spear Foundation at a glance
In short: Tip of the Spear Foundation gave $26K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $26,300
- -12.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,150
- -12.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $13,150
- Total assets
- $184,308
- +54.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Tip of the Spear Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Carry the Load ($20K). Together the top 2 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2020) to $30K (2023). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $26K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carry the Load Dallas, TX | General Purpose | $20,000 |
| United States Navy Washington, DC | Food Service | $6,300 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $184,308 | $300,252 | $237,301 | $26,300 | 2 | $60 |
| 2023 | $119,708 | $279,121 | $262,503 | $30,030 | 2 | $25 |
| 2022 | $102,199 | $316,523 | $381,452 | — | — | $1,533 |
| 2021 | $167,128 | $373,977 | $370,627 | — | — | $163 |
| 2020 | $162,863 | $203,755 | $350,598 | $1,000 | Total only | $6,587 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Tip of the Spear Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Tip of the Spear Foundation is a public charity, based in Plano, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $184K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $26K. Net investment income was $60.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Tip of the Spear Foundation is led by Derek Pedersen, Chairman on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Derek Pedersen
Chairman
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph M. Kerr
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark McKinley
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cory Sullivan
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Adams
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Wilson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Mike Zapata (2020–2021) — Managing Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Tip of the Spear Foundation
How much does Tip of the Spear Foundation give each year?
Tip of the Spear Foundation gave $26K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $30K across 2 grants.
How large is Tip of the Spear Foundation?
Tip of the Spear Foundation reported $184K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $300K.
Where does Tip of the Spear Foundation operate?
Tip of the Spear Foundation has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Texas.
What is Tip of the Spear Foundation's EIN?
Tip of the Spear Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3000590. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
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 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from Tip of the Spear 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.
Tip of the Spear Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?