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Passes our checks

Sentinels of Freedom Scholarshipfoundation

EIN 20-8139201 · San Ramon, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation (the Foundation) is a Colorado notprofit organization formed in 2007 for the purpose of assisting veterans who have suffered severe duty-related injuries resulting in permanent physical disability since September 11, 2001 in their efforts to become productive, self-sufficient, integrated members of their community, and to raise awareness of the sacrifice these veterans have made in order to motivate the local community to rally behind these young men and women and ensure their success. The Foundation develops a scholarship package for each sentinel that may include providing a home or an apartment adapted to the specific disabilities of the veteran, employment and employment training, reliable transportation, financial and career counseling, and mentoring.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
21.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
5
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$153,039, president & ceo

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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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)
  1. $788,528 spent. Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation (the Foundation) is a Colorado not-for-profit organization which was formed and commenced its operations in January 2007 for the purpose of assisting veterans who have suffered severe duty-related injuries resulting in permanent physical disability since September 11, 2001. The assistance is intended to enable these veterans to become productive, self-sufficient, integrated members of their community, and to raise awareness of the sacrifice these veterans have made in order to motivate the local community to rally behind these young men and women and ensure their success. The Foundation offers a scholarship package for each sentinel that may include providing a home or an apartment adapted to the specific disabilities of the veteran, employment and employment training, reliable transportation, financial and career counseling, and mentoring.We had 52 Sentinels in the program at the end of 2024 and maintained a 89% success rating for graduations.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.