Caring for Military Families the Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation's mission is to empower military and veteran caregivers, their families, and their communities through programs, partnerships, and advocacy that drive innovation and sustainable solutions.
- Income
- $8.2 million
- Spending
- $8.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 2.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 44
- Volunteers
- 19
- Highest pay
- $334,007, 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
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 20 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 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 (7)
- $3.0 million spent. Outreach & Awareness:The Foundation's Outreach and Awareness initiatives help bring the stories, service, and sacrifice of America's military and veteran caregivers and their families to light. Too often, the family, loved ones, and friends of our nation's wounded and ill service members and veterans do not know that they have taken on a new role - that of caregiver. This can exacerbate the challenges caregivers face and often leaves caregivers feeling isolated, misunderstood, and alone. Our outreach and awareness efforts help caregivers recognize this new role that they have assumed. Self-identification is the first step to accessing programs and finding a community that understands and can offer support. The Hidden Helpers initiative supports children, youth, and young adults up to age 18 who are involved in caring for wounded, ill, or aging service members or veterans. Through collaboration with nonprofit, corporate, and government partners, the Hidden Helpers program aims to create a positive collective impact for military-connected youth caregivers and their families. The subject of military children - and the impact of caregiving on their development and growth - has revealed itself to be a pressing issue on the minds of support organizations, military leaders, policymakers, and military families themselves. The Foundation is working to fill this gap through research and programming on (1) how military children are affected by a family member with a combat injury or illness, (2) how military children are affected by taking on caregiving duties themselves, and (3) what interventions or programs can best support the children of caregivers. -The Foundation's annual Heroes and History Makers Gala focuses on the stories of nation's military and veteran caregivers. This national event also features successes from the broad scope of the Foundation's annual programming and creates opportunities for caregivers to build connections with one another. -The Face The Fight initiative is a coalition effort led by USAA and organized by the Foundation to raise awareness and support for veteran suicide prevention, aiming to halve the veteran suicide rate by 2030 through strategies such as safe firearm storage, equitable care access, and support for at-risk veterans. -The Elizabeth Dole Foundation National Cabinet is a donor initiative to bring change-makers with the experience, talent, and determination to solve the challenges facing America's military and veteran caregivers. Members of this National Cabinet have a deep sense of appreciation for the nation and feel a sense of duty and commitment to support the wounded and ill veterans, their caregivers, and their families.
- $1.2 million spent. Systemic Support: The Foundation has made transforming and improving national systems of care through systemic change a pillar of its organizational priorities. -Campaign for Inclusive Care: The Foundation partnered with the Department of Veteran Affairs to create the Campaign for Inclusive Care program, a national initiative to integrate military and veteran caregivers into their veteran's care team from day one of the care process. Holistic, family-based, caregiver inclusive teams are essential for the health and recovery of our nation's service members and veterans. Health systems must recognize, affirm, understand, and acknowledge the unique value and skills of caregivers. -Since its founding, the Foundation has advocated for policy improvements to support caregivers, their veterans, and their children. Dole Caregiver Fellows engage with their legislators at the federal and local levels to ensure that the needs of caregivers are met through inclusive policy. The National Convening is an annual event to unite government, nonprofits, corporate leaders, and caregivers around achieving policies and priorities that will create a better future for caregivers.
- $833,892 spent. Direct Support: The Foundation's Direct Support programs provide caregivers with a national network that supports and facilitates sharing of best practices and peer-based support. -The Financial Wellness Programming (specifically through The Hope Fund for Critical Financial Assistance) provides financial relief to all areas of military and veteran caregivers through grants that aim to put military families on the path to financial wellness. These grants provide high-impact financial assistance to prevent or address a significant crisis or to improve the quality of life of the caregiver family. This financial relief fills the gaps that other programs may not cover, such as medical bills, natural disaster assistance, emergency transportation for appointments, or loss of income. -The Hidden Heroes Fund was established in 2016 to award grants to non-profit organizations that serve military caregivers. This fund is dedicated to supporting innovative programs that make a direct impact in the lives of America's Hidden Heroes. -Through its Mental Wellness programming, the Foundation provides military caregivers with essential mental health resources, support and coping strategies and aims to enhance caregivers' emotional well-being and resilience by addressing the unique mental health challenges they face. The Foundation also began a caregiver mental wellness pilot program by creating a module within the Academy for Inclusive Care to equip healthcare providers with the skills they need to understand the signs of mental health distress.
- $1.2 million spent. Community Engagement and Peer Support
- $352,206 spent. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
- (Expenses $ 1,244,514 including grants of $ 18,147)(Revenue $ 0) Community Engagement and Peer Support
- (Expenses $ 352,206 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
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
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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 December 2012.
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 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.