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National Military Family Association Inc

EIN 52-0899384 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE GUIDE FAMILIES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES, INCLUDING THOSE OF THE DEPLOYED, WOUNDED AND FALLEN, THROUGH STRESSFUL TIMES BY PROVIDING CHILDREN'S AND FAMILY PROGRAMS, FINANCIAL HELP, ADVICE, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
11 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
25
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$228,277, executive director/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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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. $2.3 million spent. STRENGTHENING MILITARY FAMILIES: NMFA IS THE PRE-EMINENT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IDENTIFYING AND SOLVING THE CHALLENGES OF MILITARY LIFE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES. FOR OVER 55 YEARS, NMFA HAS WORKED TO AMPLIFY MILITARY FAMILY VOICES, BUILD SOLUTIONS, AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES, LAWS, AND PROGRAMS MILITARY FAMILIES NEED TO THRIVE. WE OFFER DIRECT SERVICES TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT AND WE BUILD LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS. THIS YEAR, NEARLY 900 MILITARY-CONNECTED CHILDREN ATTENDED OPERATION PURPLE CAMPS NATIONWIDE, WITH NEARLY A THOUSAND PARTICIPATING IN VIRTUAL PROGRAMS. TEEN PROGRAMMING ENGAGED MILITARY-CONNECTED TEENS IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY BUILDING, AND STORYTELLING. MORE THAN 700 SPOUSES RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS OR SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION OR TRAINING TO ADVANCE CAREERS AND STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL SECURITY.
  2. $516,966 spent. ENGAGING COMMUNITIES: MILITARY FAMILIES MOVE EVERY 2-3 YEARS, LEAVING THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND STARTING OVER AGAIN. WE CONNECT FAMILIES WITH CRITICAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO MAKE THOSE TRANSITIONS EASIER. OUR IN PERSON AND DIGITAL PROGRAMMING SPACES PROVIDE FORUMS WHERE FAMILIES CAN SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, ENGAGE WITH VETTED RESOURCES, AND TAKE ACTION TO STRENGTHEN THEIR FAMILIES, FUTURES, AND COMMUNITIES. OUR ANNUAL STATE OF THE MILITARY FAMILY SUMMIT BRINGS TOGETHER SENIOR LEADERS, POLICY MAKERS, PARTNERS, AND MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS TO DISCUSS EMERGING ISSUES. OUR TEEN PROGRAM, BLOOM, ENGAGES AND SUPPORTS MILITARY TEENS TO INFORM OUR PROGRAMS AND HELP THEM BECOME THE CIVIC, COMMUNITY, AND MILITARY LEADERS OF TOMORROW.
  3. $395,395 spent. CREATING CHANGE: POLICY AND AWARENESS: POLICY AND AWARENESS: NMFA ADVOCATES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES BY ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF MILITARY LIFE, FROM ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE AND ON INTO CIVILIAN LIFE. WE WORK WITH THOUSANDS OF MILITARY FAMILIES EVERY YEAR TO UNDERSTAND THEIR EXPERIENCES, DEVELOP PROGRAMS, AND ADVOCATE FOR THEIR FINANCIAL STABILITY AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING. WE WORK TO IMPROVE SUPPORT IN ALL AREAS OF MILITARY LIFE, INCLUDING ADDRESSING GAPS IN HEALTH CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, FINANCIAL SECURITY, MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND RESPITE CARE. NMFA IS ALSO COMMITTED TO ADVOCATING FOR FAMILIES AS SERVICE MEMBERS MOVE FROM ACTIVE DUTY TO VETERAN STATUS, ENSURING MILITARY FAMILIES HAVE THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THIS CRITICAL PERIOD.
  4. $77,640 spent. PROVIDING RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS: OUR RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS WORK STANDS ALONE IN THE MILITARY COMMUNITY FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO HUMAN-CENTERED RESEARCH INITIATIVES. WE GENERATE ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS FOR UNDERSTANDING AND IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SECURITY AND WELL-BEING OF MILITARY FAMILIES. WITH DATA FROM OVER 16,000 MILITARY FAMILIES, NMFA USES MIXED-METHODS RESEARCH TECHNIQUES TO UNDERSTAND THE FAMILIES WE SERVE. WE USE BOTH QUANTITATIVE (NUMERICAL) AND QUALITATIVE (DESCRIPTIVE) MEASURES TO CAPTURE A DETAILED, COMPREHENSIVE STATE OF THE MILITARY FAMILY, SUPPORTED WITH LISTENING SESSIONS AND IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS TO ENSURE OUR UNDERSTANDING IS BOTH BROAD AND DEEP. NMFA SHARES ITS RESEARCH WITH PARTNERS, POLICY MAKERS, AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AS PART OF ITS ADVOCACY INITIATIVES. NMFA ALSO USES THE INSIGHTS TO INFORM ITS OWN PROGRAMMING, ENSURING MILITARY FAMILIES ARE GETTING THE CRITICAL SUPPORT THEY NEED.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 1986.

    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.

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