Travis Manion Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TMF EMPOWERS VETERANS AND FAMILIES OF FALLEN HEROES TO DEVELOP CHARACTER IN FUTURE GENERATIONS.
- Income
- $14.7 million
- Spending
- $13.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 92
- Volunteers
- 16,400
- Highest pay
- $256,382, president of tmf, director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 19 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 March 31, 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 (3)
- $2.7 million spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY VETERANS AND FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN: TMF VOLUNTEERS SHARE THE LEGACY OF CHARACTER OF FALLEN HEROES THROUGH ORGANIZING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS THAT UNITE VETERANS, SURVIVORS, YOUNG ADULTS, AND INSPIRED CIVILIANS TO ADDRESS THEIR COMMUNITY'S GREATEST NEED. OPERATION LEGACY SERVICE PROJECTS ARE EXECUTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH FOCUSED CAMPAIGNS IN MAY, AUGUST, NOVEMBER AND APRIL. OPERATION LEGACY ACTIVATED 7,848 PARTICIPANTS TO SERVE IN FY24. THESE CAMPAIGNS INCLUDED ACTIVATING SPARTAN MEMBERS TO VISIT FALLEN HEROES ON MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH "THE HONOR PROJECT", A BACK-TO-SCHOOL DAY OF CHARACTER AND SERVICE DURING AUGUST, AND OTHER SERVICE PROJECTS AROUND VETERANS DAY AND MLK DAY. TMF ALSO ACTIVATES COMMUNITIES THROUGH A NATIONAL 5K RACE SERIES, THE 9/11 HEROES RUN. IN 2024, 100 LOCATIONS HOSTED RUNS WITH 60,000 PARTICIPANTS HONORING THE HEROES OF 9/11 AND THE WARS SINCE. SERVICE DURING AUGUST, AND OTHER SERVICE PROJECTS AROUND VETERANS DAY AND MLK DAY. TMF ALSO ACTIVATES COMMUNITIES THROUGH A NATIONAL 5K RACE SERIES, THE 9/11 HEROES RUN. IN 2024, 100 LOCATIONS HOSTED RUNS WITH 60,000 PARTICIPANTS HONORING THE HEROES OF 9/11 AND THE WARS SINCE. Additionally, TMF hosted the "Manion Workout of the Day ("WOD")" on the anniversary of Travis Manion's ultimate sacrifice, activating 4,000 participants and 300 gyms, CrossFit boxes, and GORUCK clubs. Veterans and Families of the Fallen develop strong relationships and feel a sense of purpose by being involved members in TMF's 40 national chapters participating in TMF service & athletic events throughout the year.
- $4.9 million spent. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN: TMF empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to thrive in their post-military lives through personal development and life-changing experiences. TMF delivered 73 personal development seminars that provide individualized tools and knowledge that helped 2,731 veterans successfully transition from active duty. 28 veterans and families of the fallen participated in the "Spartan Leadership Program ("SLP")". SLP is a 7-month immersive leadership experience that coaches participants through personal growth and increases their volunteer leadership role within TMF. Also, families of fallen heroes are empowered to flourish on their personal journeys of healing through service-based expeditions. TMF hosted 5 expeditions where 53 survivors and 9 veterans spent a week together serving communities in need, in honor of their lost loved ones. They provide camaraderie, support and renewed purpose to surviving family members to learn tools to move forward in their personal journey. Additionally, TMF hosted a national summit as well as seven regional summits where 300 top volunteer leaders honed their leadership skills and shared best practices.
- $4.0 million spent. CHARACTER AND VETERAN-YOUTH MENTORSHIP: THROUGH "CHARACTER DOES MATTER", VETERANS AND FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN ARE EMPOWERED TO DEVELOP CHARACTER IN FUTURE GENERATIONS. VETERANS AND SURVIVORS SERVE AS VOLUNTEER MENTORS TO LEAD CHARACTER EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS FOR YOUNG ADULTS THAT DRAW ON A MENTOR'S PERSONAL SERVICE EXPERIENCE AND THE VALUE OF CHARACTER IN EVERYDAY LIFE. THESE SAME VOLUNTEERS ALSO MENTOR YOUTH THROUGH A CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISES, DISCUSSIONS, AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CHALLENGES. PROGRAMS ARE FACILITATED BY VETERAN AND SURVIVOR TEAMS FOR AT LEAST 10 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION THAT RANGE IN DURATION FROM A SINGLE DAY EVENT TO A MULTI-WEEK COURSE. 2,725 VETERAN MENTORS INSPIRED 57,987 YOUTH THROUGH CHARACTER DOES MATTER IN 2024, OF WHICH 50% ARE CONSIDERED "AT-RISK"UNDER-RESOURCED" YOUTH. As a result, youth established 40 TMF Clubs at their schools to promote continued service and character development.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 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 March 2025.
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 May 2008.
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.
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