Yellow Ribbon Fund Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Responsibly provide high-touch support for wounded, ill, and injured American service members and their families and caregivers to fill gaps throughout recovery and reintegration to home communities, through an engaged national network.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 11.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $188,944, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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 2518 of 18 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 February 28, 2026, 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)
- $984,989 spent. Crossroads Program: provides housing and transportation to families of wounded, ill, and injured post 9/11 service members receiving extended medical care and/or rehabilitation at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland or at other local military or Veterans Administration hospitals across the United States. YRF provides free rental cars, hotel stays, fully-furnished apartments, and other assistance to keep families together during extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- $645,568 spent. Keystone Program: From its beginning, YRF has paid special attention to the needs of military caregivers. Through this program, YRF provides military caregivers and disabled veterans sanctuary, skills, and stability through monthly respite, social events, access to physical fitness programs, and educational and life skills training, all to keep the disabled veteran family strong and to help reduce the likelihood of veteran suicides.
- $323,508 spent. Retreats Program: YRF works with donors to provide retreats to caregivers and their disabled veteran and family to provide a break from the tedium of lifelong medical crises, to provide training and life skills, to encourage wellness, and to provide bonding and networking with those in similar circumstances.
- $219,691 spent. General program expenses and veteran family engagement.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending February 2026.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.