Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Special Ops Survivors

EIN 81-0567790 · El Dorado Hills, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak0 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 59 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS ADVANCES THE MISSION "TO EMBRACE AND EMPOWER SURVIVING SPOUSES OF FALLEN SPECIAL OPERATIONS HEROES TO BUILD HEALTHY POST-LOSS FUTURES AS THEY TRANSITION AND REBUILD THEIR NEW LIVES." THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO A) EMPOWER AND EDUCATE, B) BUILD AND ENHANCE RESILIENCY, C) IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS, D)FUND EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT, AND E) OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR UNEXPECTED EXPENSES.

Income
$23,189
Spending
$120,736
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30

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: 0 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 246% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 421% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 93% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 59 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 91% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • 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, 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. $102,815 spent. GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT: SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS (SOS) CHANNELS THE HEALING POWER OF BONDS SO THAT SURVIVORS DO NOT WEATHER THEIR TRAGEDIES ALONE. SPOUSES HAVE A SHARED EXPERIENCE AS MILITARY FAMILIES OPERATING IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMUNITIES - LIFESTYLES THAT CAN BE MARKEDLY DISTINCT FROM MORE TRADITIONAL MILITARY UNITS. AS SUCH, THE BONDS FORMED AMONG THEM ARE BOTH STRONG AND LASTING. SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS PROVIDES COMMUNITIES SO THAT SURVIVORS MAY STAY STRONG TOGETHER. RESILIENCY RETREATS (GROUP): ANNUALLY, SOS HOLDS A NATIONAL SURVIVOR'S RESILIENCY RETREAT. THOUGH EACH YEAR THE RETREAT HAS A UNIQUE THEME, THE CONSISTENT OUTCOME IS TO OFFER PEER-BASED EMOTIONAL ASSISTANCE AND TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING FOR SURVIVORS TO BETTER MANAGE THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES. SOS COVERS COSTS, INCLUDING LOCAL TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, LODGING, SPEAKERS, WORKSHOPS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. "FORGET ME NOT" OUTREACHES (INDIVIDUAL): SOS MAINTAINS REGULAR CONTACT WITH OUR SURVIVORS THROUGH DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS AND QUARTERLY REMEMBRANCES OR OUTREACHES. THESE ENDURING OUTREACHES ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR SURVIVORS' WELL-BEING BECAUSE THEY DEMONSTRATE TO OUR SURVIVORS THAT THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN AND THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE. OUTREACHES WERE SENT AROUND VALENTINE'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, CHRISTMAS, THE SURVIVOR'S BIRTHDAYS AND SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE DAYS WITH THEIR FALLEN HERO. GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT: SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS (SOS) CHANNELS THE HEALING POWER OF BONDS SO THAT SURVIVORS DO NOT WEATHER THEIR TRAGEDIES ALONE. SPOUSES HAVE A SHARED EXPERIENCE AS MILITARY FAMILIES OPERATING IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMUNITIES - LIFESTYLES THAT CAN BE MARKEDLY DISTINCT FROM MORE TRADITIONAL MILITARY UNITS. AS SUCH, THE BONDS FORMED AMONG THEM ARE BOTH STRONG AND LASTING. SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS PROVIDES COMMUNITIES SO THAT SURVIVORS MAY STAY STRONG TOGETHER. RESILIENCY RETREATS (GROUP): ANNUALLY, SOS HOLDS A NATIONAL SURVIVOR'S RESILIENCY RETREAT. THOUGH EACH YEAR THE RETREAT HAS A UNIQUE THEME, THE CONSISTENT OUTCOME IS TO OFFER PEER-BASED EMOTIONAL ASSISTANCE AND TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING FOR SURVIVORS TO BETTER MANAGE THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES. SOS COVERS COSTS, INCLUDING LOCAL TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, LODGING, SPEAKERS, WORKSHOPS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. "FORGET ME NOT" OUTREACHES (INDIVIDUAL): SOS MAINTAINS REGULAR CONTACT WITH OUR SURVIVORS THROUGH DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS AND QUARTERLY REMEMBRANCES OR OUTREACHES. THESE ENDURING OUTREACHES ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR SURVIVORS' WELL-BEING BECAUSE THEY DEMONSTRATE TO OUR SURVIVORS THAT THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN AND THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE. OUTREACHES WERE SENT AROUND VALENTINE'S DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, CHRISTMAS, THE SURVIVOR'S BIRTHDAYS AND SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE DAYS WITH THEIR FALLEN HERO.
  2. SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS EMPOWERS SURVIVING SPOUSES WITH (A) EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT AWARDS TO REWARD THEM FOR THEIR STRENGTH AND RESILIENCY AS THEY PURSUE ADDITIONAL EDUCATION TO FURTHER THEIR CAREERS, AND (B) LIMITED AMOUNTS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST THEM WITH UNEXPECTED EXPENSES: EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT AWARDS: WHEN THEIR PARTNERS ARE KILLED IN ACTION OR TRAINING, SURVIVING SPOUSES ARE THRUST INTO THE ROLE OF PROVIDER. THEY ARE OFTEN LEFT TO FIND NEW SOURCES OF INCOME FOR THE FAMILY. HOWEVER, MANY CAN BE ILL-EQUIPPED TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES. SOS' EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM HELPS SURVIVING SPOUSES IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIVES BY HELPING THEM INCREASE THEIR EDUCATION AND IMPROVE THEIR JOB SKILLS. EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: SOS AWARDS LIMITED AMOUNTS OF VITAL EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID TO SURVIVING SPOUSES TO ASSIST THEM WITH UNEXPECTED EXPENSES (E.G., HOME MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, WEATHER DAMAGE, MORTGAGE/RENT ASSISTANCE, PURCHASE OF HOME APPLIANCES, AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, HEALTHCARE EXPENSES NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE, EMERGENCY CHILDCARE, ETC.) SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS EMPOWERS SURVIVING SPOUSES WITH (A) EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT AWARDS TO REWARD THEM FOR THEIR STRENGTH AND RESILIENCY AS THEY PURSUE ADDITIONAL EDUCATION TO FURTHER THEIR CAREERS, AND (B) LIMITED AMOUNTS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST THEM WITH UNEXPECTED EXPENSES: EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT AWARDS: WHEN THEIR PARTNERS ARE KILLED IN ACTION OR TRAINING, SURVIVING SPOUSES ARE THRUST INTO THE ROLE OF PROVIDER. THEY ARE OFTEN LEFT TO FIND NEW SOURCES OF INCOME FOR THE FAMILY. HOWEVER, MANY CAN BE ILL-EQUIPPED TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES. SOS' EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM HELPS SURVIVING SPOUSES IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIVES BY HELPING THEM INCREASE THEIR EDUCATION AND IMPROVE THEIR JOB SKILLS. EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: SOS AWARDS LIMITED AMOUNTS OF VITAL EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID TO SURVIVING SPOUSES TO ASSIST THEM WITH UNEXPECTED EXPENSES (E.G., HOME MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, WEATHER DAMAGE, MORTGAGE/RENT ASSISTANCE, PURCHASE OF HOME APPLIANCES, AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, HEALTHCARE EXPENSES NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE, EMERGENCY CHILDCARE, ETC.)
  3. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES OR RESOURCES: SOS UNDERSTANDS THAT OUR SURVIVOR'S LIVES CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER THE LOSS OF THEIR FALLEN HERO AND THAT THEY FACE NEW AND DEMANDING CHALLENGES. WITH APPROPRIATE FUNDING, WE OFFER ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS THAT HELP SURVIVING SPOUSES ALLEVIATE STRESS, LEARN COPING SKILLS, AND TO STAY HEALTHY IN THEIR POST-LOSS JOURNEY. WE STAND READY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO AVAILABLE RESOURCES THAT ADDRESS OUR SURVIVOR'S PARTICULAR NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS. JOIN OUR CIRCLE - FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS AND WAYS TO HELP SUPPORT OUR MISSION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.SPECIALOPSSURVIVORS.ORG OR EMAIL OUR TEAM AT CONTACT@SPECIALOPSSURVIVORS.ORG. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES OR RESOURCES: SOS UNDERSTANDS THAT OUR SURVIVOR'S LIVES CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER THE LOSS OF THEIR FALLEN HERO AND THAT THEY FACE NEW AND DEMANDING CHALLENGES. WITH APPROPRIATE FUNDING, WE OFFER ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS THAT HELP SURVIVING SPOUSES ALLEVIATE STRESS, LEARN COPING SKILLS, AND TO STAY HEALTHY IN THEIR POST-LOSS JOURNEY. WE STAND READY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO AVAILABLE RESOURCES THAT ADDRESS OUR SURVIVOR'S PARTICULAR NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS. JOIN OUR CIRCLE - FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS AND WAYS TO HELP SUPPORT OUR MISSION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.SPECIALOPSSURVIVORS.ORG OR EMAIL OUR TEAM AT CONTACT@SPECIALOPSSURVIVORS.ORG.

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

  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 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 March 2003.

    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.