Gratitude Initiative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FOUNDED IN 2013, GRATITUDE INITIATIVE HONORS THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF OUR MILITARY, VETERAN AND LAW-ENFORCEMENT FAMILIES BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN SUCCEED IN COLLEGE, CAREER, AND LIFE.
- Income
- $582,451
- Spending
- $865,479
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 34% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 49% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 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.
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, 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 (1)
- $793,312 spent. Each day, both in our own communities and around the globe, brave moms and dads risk their lives to keep us safe and free. Our military service members and law enforcement officers deserve our deepest gratitude. We believe there is no greater way to honor their sacrifice than to help prepare their children for college and a successful future.Gratitude Initiatives College Success Academy Program is the most comprehensive career and college counseling, SAT/ACT prep, and financial aid counseling program available today. It is provided free of charge to the families we serve. GIs low-cost, high-impact program is increasing college access and degree attainment for these young heroes, including many students who are the first in their families to attend college.GI is the only nonprofit providing comprehensive college/career prep for military and law enforcement teens. Over the past six years, our results have been unparalleled: 99% of students were accepted into one or both of their top two colleges, the average financial award from their colleges has been $23,587/year, 100% said our program reduced stress and helped the students better focus on their high school classes.GI's College Success Academy is a full-service program that:1. Removes the stress of college planning so the family can focus on other pressing matters.2. Helps bring stability when frequent moves create educational hardships for the children.3. Impacts the entire family by helping reduce stress while saving time and money.4. Creates a legacy as a college degree impacts the student, their family, and their community for generations.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 December 2013.
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.