Lead the Way Fund Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ARMY RANGER LEAD THE WAY FUND IS AN ACTIVE DUTY, CASUALTY ASSISTANCE, RECOVERY, TRANSITION AND VETERANS ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO U.S. ARMY RANGERS AND THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED, HAVE BEEN DISABLED OR WHO ARE CURRENTLY SERVING IN HARM'S WAY AROUND THE WORLD.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 70
- Highest pay
- $91,577, program director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1563% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 9 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 June 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 (4)
- $311,664 spent. RECOVERY, RESILIENCY, EDUCATION, AND TRANSITION PROGRAM: WHEN OUR WOUNDED, ILL OR INJURED RANGERS RETURN FROM COMBAT, THE SEVERITY OF THEIR INJURIES IS OFTEN TO THE DEGREE THAT THEIR DISABILITIES PREVENT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM BEING ABLE TO FULLY SUPPORT THEMSELVES. THE CARE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IS OFTEN LIMITED AND INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THEIR NEEDS. LTWF PROVIDES ONGOING SUPPORT, FROM THE MOMENT OF INJURY, THROUGH THE SHORT AND LONG-TERM RECOVERY, REHABILITATION, AND TRANSITION PROCESS. STARTING WITH AN IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL GRANT OF $5,000 FOR RANGERS THAT ARE WOUNDED IN ACTION OR DURING TRAINING, AND TO THE FAMILIES OF RANGERS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN ACTION. IF A SPOUSE OR ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBERS NEED TO BE AT THE BEDSIDE OF THEIR LOVED ONE, WE ENSURE THAT THE TRAVEL COSTS, ACCOMMODATIONS (INCLUDING EXTENDED STAY), CHILD CARE, AND EXPENSES ARE COVERED SO THERE IS NO ADDED FINANCIAL OR EMOTIONAL STRESS. IF THE RANGER SUFFERS A SETBACK DURING HIS RECOVERY PROCESS THAT REQUIRES ADDITIONAL HOSPITALIZATION AND THERAPIES, LTWF WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL GRANTS TO THE FAMILY SO THERE IS NO FINANCIAL SHORTFALL. WITH THE ONGOING CHALLENGE OF SERVICE MEMBERS DEVELOPING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS, LTWF THROUGH OUR RANGER RESILIENCY PROGRAM, IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING RANGERS RECEIVE ACCESS TO THE BEST MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS AVAILABLE. BY SUPPORTING THE FAMILY UNIT DURING THIS EMOTIONAL JOURNEY, WE HOPE TO ALLEVIATE THE FINANCIAL STRAIN SO OUR RANGERS CAN FOCUS ON GETTING THE INTENSIVE, AND PROPER, TREATMENT THEY NEED.RANGER RESILIENCY SPECIAL PROGRAMS: THE DEDICATED RANGER CHAPLAINS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CARING FOR THE SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND THE RESILIENCY OF THE RANGERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. ARMY RANGER LEAD THE WAY FUND SEES IT AS OUR OBLIGATION TO ASSIST OUR RANGER CHAPLAINS WITH THE ENDURING TASK OF ENHANCING RANGER MORALE AND SUSTAINING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. ARMY RANGER LEAD THE WAY FUND PROVIDES ENRICHMENT GRANTS FOR THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE ESTABLISHED BY CHAPLAIN COMMAND. MARRIAGE RETREATS AND DATE NIGHTS FEATURE RELATIONSHIP TRAINING LED BY RANGER CHAPLAINS AND ALSO OFFER FREE TIME FOR RANGER COUPLES TO CONNECT AND RECHARGE THEIR RELATIONSHIP. SINGLE RANGER RETREATS FEATURE CHAPLAIN-LED TRAINING ON LIFE AND RELATIONSHIP SUCCESS AS WELL AS HIGH-ENERGY ACTIVITIES LIKE MOUNTAIN CLIMBING, SNOW SKIING, WHITE-WATER RAFTING, AND MOUNTAIN BIKING. BIBLE STUDIES: RANGER CHAPLAINS AND THEIR WIVES LEAD BIBLE STUDIES AND OTHER SPIRITUAL-GROWTH EVENTS FOR RANGER COUPLES OR WIVES OF DEPLOYED RANGERS AND OUR LTWF RESOURCES PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED CHILDCARE FOR THESE EVENTS.FOR OUR RANGERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES SUCH AS PARALYSIS OR AMPUTATIONS, LTWF PROVIDES THE SUPPORT FOR MODIFIED VEHICLES AND BUILDING AND MODIFYING MORTGAGE-FREE, ACCESSIBLE, AND SMART HOMES. THESE "HOMES THAT HEAL" ARE CUSTOM BUILT TO INCLUDE THE SPECIFIC ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH RANGER.OUR RANGERS ARE AMONG THE MOST DISCIPLINED AND SKILLED WARRIORS IN THE WORLD AND WE ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING THEM UTILIZE THEIR INGRAINED SKILLS BY EMPOWERING THEM TO THRIVE IN CAREERS AT TOP UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY. WHEN RANGERS MAKE THE DECISION NOT TO RE-ENLIST IN THE REGIMENT AFTER A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL MILITARY CAREER, THE TRANSITION BACK TO CIVILIAN LIFE CAN BE CHALLENGING. THROUGH OUR WARRIOR EDUCATION TRANSITION PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR COLLEGIATE ACCESS PROGRAM (CAP); GRADUATE ACCESS PROGRAM (GAP); RANGER ACTIVATION AND MENTOR PROGRAM (RAMP); WE ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING OUR RANGERS THROUGH THE REINTEGRATION PROCESS, ENSURING THAT THEY ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS OF A REWARDING AND PROSPEROUS CIVILIAN LIFE. THROUGH LTWF'S CAP/GAP/RAMP PROGRAMS, RANGERS INTERESTED IN SECONDARY EDUCATION HAVE ACCESS TO THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITIES IN THE COUNTRY AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE WITH TEST PREP, APPLICATION AND ESSAY EDITING, SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIPS AS WELL AS INTERNSHIP AND JOB PROGRAMS.STAYING ACTIVE AND COMPETITIVE IS PARAMOUNT TO THE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL PRESERVATION OF OUR WOUNDED RANGERS. LTWF PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR OUR RANGERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE WARRIOR GAMES (ADAPTIVE SPORTS COMPETITION FOR WOUNDED, ILL, AND INJURED SERVICE MEMBERS). WE WILL ALSO ACCOMMODATE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS SO THEY CAN SEE THEIR LOVED ONES COMPETE.
- $434,587 spent. RANGER AND FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS: WITH CONSECUTIVE DEPLOYMENTS SINCE THE START OF THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM, THE PRESERVATION OF THIS EXTREMELY PRESSURED FORCE IS A NECESSITY. WHEN A RANGER IS DEPLOYED, SO IS HIS FAMILY. THE LONG SEPARATIONS CAN BE CHALLENGING AND STRENUOUS ON THE FAMILY UNIT. FAMILY READINESS GROUPS (FRGS), CONSISTING OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATED WITH A PARTICULAR UNIT, ACT AS FIRST RESPONDERS THAT SERVE TO ENHANCE THE WELL-BEING, MORALE, AND ESPRIT DE CORP OF THE UNIT. THROUGH OUR RANGER AND FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM, WE PROVIDE THE FRGS IN THE REGIMENT WITH GRANTS TO PAY FOR THESE ALL-IMPORTANT FAMILY MORALE-BOOSTING ACTIVITIES. LTWF UNDERSTANDS THE STRAIN AND STRESS THE FAMILIES OF THIS ELITE FORCE ENDURE; CONSERVATION OF THE FAMILY UNIT IS PARAMOUNT FOR THE MORALE AND FOCUS OF OUR RANGERS. WHEN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE HAPPENS, LTWF WILL PROVIDE FUNDS TO GET FRG "FIRST RESPONDERS" TO THE SIDE OF THE RANGER WIFE AND FAMILY DURING THE ARDUOUS BURIAL PROCESS. ARMY RANGER LEAD THE WAY FUND SUPPORTS MORAL FUNCTION GRANTS FOR ALL-IMPORTANT PRE- AND POST-DEPLOYMENT MORALE-BOOSTING ACTIVITIES. DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, LTWF PROVIDES GIFT CARDS TO OUR MORE JUNIOR NCO RANGER FAMILIES, DETERMINED BY COMMAND, WHO ARE MOST IN NEED AND UNDER FINANCIAL STRAIN DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
- $94,714 spent. GOLD STAR PROGRAM: WHEN A RANGER HAS PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, WHETHER, IN COMBAT OR TRAINING, ARMY RANGER LEAD THE WAY FUND BELIEVES THERE IS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT THE DEPENDENTS OF THESE HEROES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM WE CAN HONOR AND MEMORIALIZE DECEASED RANGERS AND THEIR GOLD STAR FAMILIES. TO EDUCATE AND BRING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF GOLD STAR FAMILIES AND THE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ALL ARMY RANGERS THROUGH THE LEAD THE WAY FUND ORGANIZATION.
- $22,477 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 October 2007.
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.