Statements
Mission
At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities. We address our defenders' complex and ever-changing needs before, during and after service.
Uplifting the spirits of our heroes is at the very heartbeat of everything we do. We work each day to keep our heroes and their families who sacrifice along with them, strong in their greatest times of need and darkest moments, ensuring they have what they need to deal with their complex physical and invisible wounds from their service. It's up to us to give them comfort. To give them support. To give them hope.
The Foundation's mission and purpose is inspired by President Calvin Coolidge's famous quote, "A nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten".
Background
The Gary Sinise Foundation was founded in 2011 by actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, most notably known for his role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump. Following nearly forty years of advocacy and volunteerism on behalf of our nation's service members. Each of the Foundation's programs originated from Gary's personal relationships with our nation's service community he had supported with a desire to help fill the gaps of support our deserving heroes and their families encounter to extend America's gratitude wherever possible. Gary says that "while we can never do enough for our defenders and their loved ones, we can always do a little more."
The American people benefit daily from the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of our nation's defenders. The Gary Sinise Foundation offers these grateful Americans a trusted conduit to show their appreciation and love to those who willingly go into harm's way to provide our freedom and security. With their support, the Gary Sinise Foundation continues to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families; providing support in their greatest times of need, and ensuring they know that their service is never taken for granted or forgotten.
The Gary Sinise Foundation delivers impact through four programmatic pillars: Relief & Resiliency, RISE (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), Community Outreach & Education, and First Responders Outreach. Under these four pillars the Foundation operates numerous initiatives and services and events to serve, honor and show gratitude to our American heroes and their loved ones.
In recognition of our impact and financial transparency, the Gary Sinise Foundation holds the GuideStar Platinum Transparency Seal and a 4-Star rating from America's top charity watchdog, Charity Navigator.
Your generous support helps care for our heroes and their families' needs.
Impact
The Gary Sinise Foundation has made life changing impact on over 1 million individuals since 2011. Our Mission Impact Highlights include:
• 81 specifically adapted smart homes completed for our severely wounded heroes…these homes are 100% mortgage free.
• 82,000 attendees of our Invincible Spirit Festivals
• 967,011+ meals served to our nation's defenders across the country
• 12,446 children of fallen military heroes and their surviving parent /guardian joined us for Snowball Express
• 13,680 pieces of essential equipment donated by the Gary Sinise Foundation
• 1,121 veterans and their guardians participated in our Soaring Valor experiences.
• 456 emergency relief grants were awarded to police, firefighters and EMTs.
• 86 homes modified or retrofitted for veterans from any war
• 64 mobility devices provided to deserving heroes.
• 52 adapted vehicles provided to improve everyday life.
Financially Healthy and Sustainable - https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/financials
•81% of every dollar contributed was applied directly to support our nation's defenders and their loved ones
•$13,185,130 endowment for long-term sustainability
•2021 Revenue $58,000,000
•GuideStar Platinum Transparency Seal and 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator
Needs
Over 1M defenders returned from recent wars with visible and invisible wounds of war.
The experiences of war and service leave an indelible impact on our defenders, military and first responders. They volunteer to go into harm's way and for thousands of them, life can change instantly. The physical, emotional and psychological challenges, they survive are difficult. We are committed to supporting their physical and emotional health and well-being.
Thousands of our defenders have been seriously wounded from burns, amputations and paralysis while performing their duties. Their recovery is forever, as they endure surgeries and follow-up surgeries for the rest of their life. Their family and caregivers are affected by their injuries and their lives revolve around their spouse and parent's surgeries.
When a hero pays the ultimate price, their spouse, children and others must figure out how to go on without them or grow up never knowing a parent. The loss and grief are very lonely and isolating.
We also provide programs focused on innovative and empowering mental wellness treatment methods for our defenders, veterans and first responders..
Service Categories |
|
| Primary Category: | Human Services - Human Services |
| Secondary Category: | Health Care - Patient & Family Support |
| Tertiary Category: | Mental Health & Crisis Intervention - |
Areas Served
The Gary Sinise Foundation is a nationwide organization with its headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee. We have two chapters in San Diego and Florida.
| TN - Davidson |
