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Marines Memorial Foundation

EIN 45-5261064 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF MILITARY SERVICE THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS AND BY ITS DIRECT SUPPORT OF THE MARINES' MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION IN FULFILLING ITS MISSION TO COMMEMORATE THE SACRIFICES OF OUR NATION'S VETERANS, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THOSE SACRIFICES, AND SERVE VETERANS OF ALL ERAS, TO INCLUDE CURRENTLY SERVING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$522,899
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$310,482, president & ceo

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 (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 115% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
  1. $500,000 spent. NON-PROFIT ENTITIES: THE FOUNDATION HOSTS AND DIRECTLY SUPPORTS A VARIETY OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS BOTH LOCAL AND FROM AFAR. THESE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO EDUCATE AND A LOCATION TO EXPAND THEIR MISSION. FOR EXAMPLE, ANNUAL GOLD STAR PARENTS SHOW HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE AT MARINES' MEMORIAL, AN EVENT THAT PROVIDES A SAFE AND COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT WHERE FAMILIES COME TOGETHER TO COMMEMORATE THEIR LOVED ONES KILLED IN ACTION, BOND OVER THEIR SHARED GRIEF, RECEIVE SUPPORT SERVICES AND COUNSELING SPECIFIC TO THEIR CURRENT SITUATION AND BUILD A LASTING COMMUNITY AT LITTLE TO NO COST TO THEM. WHAT STARTED AS A FEW FAMILIES INFORMALLY COMING TOGETHER FOR A REPRIEVE FROM GRIEF HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN 100 GOLD STAR PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN A PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT OFFERING.
  2. LIVING MEMORIAL:THE MARINES' MEMORIAL LIVING MEMORIAL SPANS 12 FLOORS OF EXHIBITS AND DISPLAYS THAT HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL BRANCHES OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES. EACH ARTIFACT AND STORY HELPS FUTURE GENERATIONS UNDERSTAND THE SERVICE, SACRIFICE, AND ENDURING SPIRIT OF AMERICA'S MILITARY COMMUNITY. THE LIVING MEMORIAL CONTINUES TO EVOLVE WITH NEW ARTIFACTS AND EXHIBITS DONATED BY VETERANS, FAMILIES, AND SUPPORTERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  3. 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL:IN JUNE 2025, THE FOUNDATION COMMEMORATED THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL AT THE PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO. THE CEREMONY HONORED THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF KOREAN WAR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND RECOGNIZED THE ENDURING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA. THE EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE KOREAN CONSULATE OF SAN FRANCISCO, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND MARINES' MEMORIAL MEMBERS AND STAFF.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.