Hope for the Warriors
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Hope For The Warriors is to enhance the quality of life for United States Service Members and their families who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty. See Schedule O for continuation
- Income
- $5.9 million
- Spending
- $7.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 979
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 49% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 46% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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.
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 September 30, 2025, 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 (6)
- $3.3 million spent. Well-Being: HOPE's overarching goal is to enhance the quality of life for the entire post-9/11 Warrior Community. HOPE views well-being, or wellness as positive and affirming; an active process in which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more prosperous and purposeful life. HOPE's well-being model integrates six well-being domains that were developed to meet the complex needs of the Warrior Community. See Schedule O for continuation Physical Wellness: Engages the warrior community in staying active and physically fit through competitive sports and recreational events. HOPE connects warriors and family members to a variety of opportunities to support personal fitness and recreation goals. Whether its running, cycling, hiking, fishing, or hunting, HOPE helps warriors to set goals and track milestones with a healthy competitive spirit. Emotional Wellness: Often, a veteran or family member is not able to obtain treatment within their community or is hesitant to seek services from the VA or other sources of mental health care available locally. HOPE's supportive counseling is designed to provide short-term counseling to augment other treatment. Licensed Social Workers provide supportive clinical services to service members, veterans, caregivers, and adult family members needing interim support where a gap in services is identified. Financial Wellness: Financial wellness programs assist and support clients during times of crisis and transitions. Clinical case management is provided throughout the process. Program staff provide support through financial grants, referrals, information about resources, supportive counseling, and sharing of knowledge and education. The assistance provided is intended as a temporary support. These programs assist service members, veterans, and their families in two specific ways. First, program coordinators provide integrated case management, financial education with an emphasis on long-term financial stability, and resource referrals that assist the client both today and in the future. Second, if the client meets program eligibility criteria, financial support may be provided to assist the family in the short-term. Life Roles: Life Roles programs support active-duty warriors and their family members primarily as they transition to veteran status. These programs address career transition, employment, and educational needs and benefits unique to warriors and military families. Many warriors and their family members face drastically different and new challenges if medically retired or designated as unemployable due to combat or service-connected injuries. Finding meaningful and satisfying work or impactful volunteer opportunities after service is critical to a warrior's overall health and wellness. Social Support: Led by a licensed clinical social worker, this domain is the entry point for all of HOPE's wellness services supporting our Warrior Community. In less than three days from initial inquiry, the Intake Coordination team conducts intake interviews with a focus on expressed need and well-being, and then connects each applicant, as appropriate, to HOPE's physical, emotional, financial, and transition health supports, as well as community and peer support resources. Community Connection: Integral to HOPE's continuum model, HOPE's all-veteran Military Relations team individually engages with warriors throughout their journey as part of the HOPE family. The team connects warriors to new opportunities provided by HOPE along with those of HOPE's community partners. Hope's Ambassador Program offers opportunities for warriors to give back and support their comrades by providing 1-1 peer support. The Military Relations team helps warriors to find new ways to serve and to help warriors find where they fit and can engage in the larger community, outside of military service.
- $1.3 million spent. Cohen Veterans Network: The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Hope for The Warriors provides confidential, high-quality behavioral health care services at little to no cost without long wait times to post-9/11 veterans, active duty service members with a TRICARE referral, and military families. The Clinic is a local resource connection for the community, including Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, and the greater Onslow County area. See Schedule O for continuation Services are available regardless of discharge status, role in uniform, combat experience, ability to pay, or insurance. Military families can find care for: depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep problems, adolescent behavioral issues, relationship and family stress, and transitional challenges. Families also have access to case management support and local referrals to help with other stresses like unemployment, finances, housing, and legal issues.
- $607,919 spent. Cultural Awareness: HOPE's communications team drives the initiative to bridge the military-civilian divide through understanding of the needs of the veteran community and military families, and how the public at large can support them. The team facilitates dialogue, primarily through digital platforms, that brings awareness of and respect for the existing cultural differences and experiences. Additionally, sustained awareness of the needs of the military community results in effective programming for the DOD, Department of Veteran's Affairs, and socially-responsible corporate entities. This team informs HOPE and its partners with metrics and engagement strategies that continue that connection.
- $684,814 spent. Community Engagement:HOPE works directly at the community level to engage both military and civilian communities, uniting corporate and civil leaders, school districts, military agencies, and more to work together with a shared goal of embracing the military families within their communities. HOPE provides education and resources, both in person and virtually, to service members and their families as they transition out of the military. By developing relationships within the community - through both events and program work - HOPE establishes connectedness to community that is also a key component of the warrior culture.
- $864,422 spent. Community Development:HOPE strives to build educated communities that understand the unique needs and challenges of today's military family. HOPE collaborates with military organizations, corporations, civic groups, foundations, and individuals to improve military and veteran education and engagement. HOPE's corporate partners enjoy a rich relationship that is beneficial to their culture and feeds their military employee programs, while HOPE's individual supporters derive a personal touch to their giving.
- $306,194 spent. Other Programs:The Executive Team plays an integral role in the near fight and far fight of HOPE. Participating in conversations that drive change to protect the future of HOPE military families, while maintaining a personal touch with those HOPE serves, is critical in developing and maintaining relevant programming. The excellence of the HOPE team stems from the daily focus on team development. Specifically addressing the nature of HOPE work, advances in support, and the vision of HOPE, every staff member is immersed in opportunities to enhance their skill sets and work laterally across the spectrum providing a cohesive and consistent experience for HOPE service members and their families.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.
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 2006.
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.