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Passes our checks

Darkhorse Benefits Inc

EIN 38-3843137 · Winter Spgs, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceWeak17 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Darkhorse Benefits offers support to current and retired members of the Special Operations community through four major programs. Darkhorse provides critical health equipment, transition mentorship, and education at no cost to the service member. Additionally, through our Expeditionary programs, Darkhorse Benefits provides opportunities for veterans to serve in counter human trafficking, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions around the world.

Income
$694,488
Spending
$632,020
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 110% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 52% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 17 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 1 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $214,804 spent. Special Operations Forces Entrepreneurship Program (SOFEP)- Is essentially a small business incubator for SOF personnel when they are within 2 years of retirement. SOFEP is an approved transition assistance program by SOCOM. It includes initial academic training, business plan development, funding guidance and launch of the business with mentorship provided by others that have been successful in the selected business vertical.
  2. $209,769 spent. Counter Human Trafficking (CHT)- As a way to help veterans cope with potential Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to demonstrate value in helping the communities we live in, DB conducts CHT operations as a part of local and federal law enforcement. The DB CHT program has been approved by ret. Utah Attorney General and multiple Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police. Additionally, by assisting our communities we are building relationships leading that lead to veteran employment. A deep sense of pride has been developed through veterans involved with this program as we use our capabilities to support law enforcement and their protection of those who need it most.
  3. $90,011 spent. Operation Shuteye - DB has distributed over 15,000 mattresses Tempur-Pedic mattresses to active duty, guard and reservist Special Operations Forces (SOF) warriors. These mattresses have multiple orthopedic advantages over a typical bed issued or given to these men and women which yields a better night's rest. Proper rest is critical to recovery and performance in a demanding career field such as SOF. This program is the only one of its type approved by the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
  4. $55,575 spent. Humanitarian Assistance- The DB deployment capability is an effort to assist veterans on the team potentially with PTSD and giving back to US and international communities. By using skills taught in SOF to prevent loss of life and deliver military grade capabilities such as tactical medicine, communications and Search and Rescue in an extreme time of need a tremendous sense of pride is established in the veteran community as we demonstrate we can serve as well out of uniform as in one. Additionally, this program demonstrates the ability of veterans to problem solve in a complex environment which is a critical skill when employers make hiring decisions. 80% of our deployed teammates have obtained high paying positions following response efforts.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.