Troops Direct
Troops Direct is a public charity based in McKinney, Texas. It provides mission-critical equipment to U.S. service members at no cost to them, responding to requests for supplies that may be unavailable or delayed through conventional military supply channels.
Troops Direct at a glance
In short: Troops Direct gave $4.8M across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $396K), top state North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,755,184
- +624.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +1100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $396,265
- -39.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $146,888
- Total assets
- $2,629,943
- -13.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (38% 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 Troops Direct
- Contact
Mailing address: 6951 Viginia Pkwy Suite 211, Mckinney, TX 75071
Phone: (877) 978-7667
Website: https://troopsdirect.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Troops Direct funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Camp Pendleton ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $4.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 10 grants of 16 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Troops Direct says it serves U.S. service members worldwide and accepts requests from any branch. Its 2025 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states; the largest shares went to North Carolina (38%) and California (37%), followed by Oklahoma (9%), Arizona (3%), and South Carolina (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Troops Direct gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $656K (2024) to $4.9M (2022). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $4.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Camp Pendleton Oceanside, CA | — | $1,476,652 |
| Buncombe County Weaverville, NC | — | $1,468,875 |
| OK National Guard Mustang, OK | — | $440,663 |
| MCAS Cherry Point Cherry Point, NC | — | $211,518 |
| MCAS Yuma Yuma, AZ | — | $146,888 |
| MCAS San Diego San Diego, CA | — | $146,888 |
| MCX Parris island Parris Island, SC | — | $146,888 |
| National Guard Nashville, TN | — | $146,888 |
| USO Chicago Carol Stream, IL | — | $146,888 |
| Joint Expeditionary Base Virginia Beach, VA | — | $141,012 |
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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 | $2,629,943 | $5,615,534 | $5,823,701 | $4,755,184 | 12 | $105,826 |
| 2024 | $3,026,806 | $1,564,617 | $1,755,591 | $656,053 | 1 | $102,268 |
| 2023 | $3,057,253 | $2,533,616 | $2,929,870 | $1,748,917 | 1 | $4,164 |
| 2022 | $3,337,210 | $6,548,064 | $6,775,692 | $4,899,948 | 2 | $8,155 |
| 2021 | $1,749,204 | $6,174,707 | $6,343,179 | — | — | $6,663 |
| 2020 | $1,905,237 | $4,270,945 | $4,229,527 | — | — | $18,196 |
| 2019 | $1,824,744 | $3,306,941 | $3,187,667 | — | — | $11,877 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Troops Direct’s stated mission is to augment the U.S. military supply chain by providing American forces with critically needed items that cannot be accessed through conventional government channels. Its 2024 filing describes a request-based model that supplies military units in bulk, particularly units based at or deploying to smaller or more remote locations where needed supplies may be unavailable or difficult to obtain.
The filing says shipments primarily include medical, nutrition, hygiene, equipment, and canine items. The organization’s website also describes providing items such as tactical medical supplies, communications equipment, protective gear, and landmine-diffusing tools. Troops Direct says requests are vetted and that equipment is provided without charge to service members or requesting units.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Troops Direct reported 12 grants totaling $4,755,184. Grant amounts ranged from $141,012 to $1,476,652, with a median of $146,888.
The largest listed grants were $1,476,652 to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, and $1,468,875 to Buncombe County in Weaverville, North Carolina. Other listed grants included $440,663 to the Oklahoma National Guard in Mustang, Oklahoma, and $211,518 to MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina. The remaining listed grants ranged from $141,012 to $146,888.
The organization’s website describes a process for service members to submit equipment requests and says requests are vetted before items are sourced and sent. It also says donors may, whenever possible, direct donations toward types of requests such as medical, communications, tactical, or K-9 needs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Aaron Negherbon as Executive Director; Steve Cannatella as Secretary; Bill Hu as Treasurer; and Kent Cleaver, Ron Espana, Keith Forkin, Helen Gates, Jonny Gomes, Jake Zweig, and Sean Herrero as directors.
Troops Direct is led by Aaron Negherbon, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Aaron Negherbon
Executive Director
President → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$144K (2019) → $180K (2025)
Keith Forkin
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jake Zweig
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ron Espana
Director
Secretary → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Gates
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonny Gomes
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kent Cleaver
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Herrero
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Hu
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Cannatella
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Don Pederson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Mike Beaven (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Kathy Hanson (2019) — Director
- Former: Lindsey Pederson (2019) — Director
- Former: Todd Newman (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $180K, to Aaron Negherbon (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Troops Direct
How much does Troops Direct give each year?
Troops Direct gave $4.8M across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $656K across 1 grant.
What is Troops Direct's typical grant size?
Troops Direct's median grant in 2025 was $146,888, and its average grant was $396,265, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Troops Direct give grants?
Troops Direct's top state is North Carolina, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (37%) and Oklahoma (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (2 grants).
Who are Troops Direct's largest grantees?
Troops Direct's largest 2025 grantees include Camp Pendleton ($1,476,652), Buncombe County ($1,468,875) and OK National Guard ($440,663), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Troops Direct?
Troops Direct reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.6M.
What does Troops Direct fund?
Troops Direct’s stated mission is to augment the U.S. military supply chain by providing American forces with critically needed items that cannot be accessed through conventional government channels. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Troops Direct?
Troops Direct has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check troopsdirect.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Troops Direct's EIN?
Troops Direct's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3046842. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 1, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 19, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Live grants for the work Troops Direct funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Troops Direct's focus areas in our free grants database
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Troops Direct'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.
Troops Direct down — hundreds of funders to go?