Spirit of America Worldwide
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Spirit of America's mission is to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life.(Continued on Schedule O)We are a privately funded nonprofit that unites the American people with our troops and diplomats in common cause: to defend freedom, strengthen security, and save and improve lives. We work with US troops and diplomats to identify where America's help is needed most, then deliver assistance with flexibility and speed. We harness the power of the American people and private philanthropy to fill the gaps between what is needed and what government can do.
- Income
- $25.9 million
- Spending
- $25.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 11.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $353,391, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $19.8 million spent. Spirit of America is a privately-funded nonprofit citizen service organization founded in response to the attacks of 9/11. We have pioneered a new model of providing philanthropic private assistance to support national security and the safety and success of America's troops and diplomats. We unite the American people with US troops and diplomats in common cause; to defend freedom, strengthen security, and save and improve lives. Spirit of America's partnership with the US military results in asymmetric impact: we are able to deliver targeted private assistance efficiently and at scale in the world's toughest places. (Continued on Schedule O)In 2024 we prioritized assistance that met the highest needs and priorities of US troops and diplomats, align with top national security objectives, and help save and improve the most lives.1. Eastern Europe: To save lives and help Ukraine defend its freedom against Russian aggression, Spirit of America provided nonlethal assistance that enables Ukrainian soldiers to identify threats, provide protection to the frontlines, and help them stay alive. Our assistance included investing in a high-impact program that helps the Ukrainian military safeguard billions of dollars in equipment and protect tens of thousands of troops and civilian lives; computers, mobile phones, and other communications equipment to support a secure communications network that identifies threats, saves soldiers' lives, and spares attacks on Ukrainian people and critical infrastructure; and high-priority nonlethal needs for elite units, including surveillance drones, drone jammers, tactical gear, and advanced medical equipment. We also supported an educational program to teach entrepreneurial skills to Ukrainian youth and provided funding to help them implement projects to rebuild their war-affected communities.2. Middle East and Central Asia: To promote regional stability, strengthen security, and create opportunity for youth and families in vulnerable communities, Spirit of America provided assistance to partners and programs across the Middle East and Central Asia. In Iraqi Kurdistan, we strengthened the Peshmerga's capabilities by providing surveillance tools to detect ISIS and proxy groups operating in remote areas; by expanding a Peshmerga English language program to improve tactical interoperability with US Special Operations Forces; and by supporting a new, centralized medical force readiness system to strengthen Peshmerga health services and reporting. In Syria, we provided life saving mine removal equipment to expand landmine removal operations. We provided blankets and food assistance to Syrian families who were displaced by conflict. Through educational programs and community engagement, we empowered thousands of Afghan refugees and students to build a better future in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.3. Asia-Pacific: To protect frontlines of democracy and deter aggression across the Asia-Pacific region, Spirit of America worked with US troops and diplomats to provide nonlethal assistance that strengthened relationships and built the capacity of host nation governmental and nongovernmental entities, including host nation armed forces. In Taiwan, we helped citizens take action to preserve their way of life in the face of threats to their security and democracy. We partnered with the Taiwanese government and civil society to train thousands of citizens in crisis preparedness skills to build Taiwan's resilience to any crisis. We also partnered with local nonprofits to educate Taiwanese people on the skills they need to keep their families safe in the event of a crisis, as well as to educate people on ways to address the spread of false information. We also provided nonlethal assistance to partners of the US military in the Philippines.4. Africa: Spirit of America helped US troops strengthen partnerships to protect communities under threat in West Africa, where terrorist groups have destabilized the Sahel region and now threaten the democratic countries of the coast. We provided humanitarian and economic assistance to vulnerable communities, building trust, cooperation, and security between local communities and those who serve them. In Benin, we provided medical supplies to thousands of families at temporary medical field clinics in rural communities; improved schools and access to clean water; treated the livestock of tribal groups who are particularly vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups; and helped the Beninese military educate local people on terrorist threats and where they can go for help. In East Africa, we supported an agriculture project in Comoros to strengthen the island nation's economic resilience.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.