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Chris Kolenda Saber Six Foundation

EIN 87-2010682 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO CONNECT WITH VETERAN PARATROOPERS WHO SERVED IN AFGHANISTAN FROM 2007-2008 WITH TASK FORCE SABER. SIX HEROES DIED DURING THAT DEPLOYMENT AND MORE HAVE DIED BY SUICIDE SINCE THEIR RETURN. THE FOUNDATION IS DESIGNED TO CONNECT THESE SURVIVING MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TOGETHER TO BUILD PURPOSE, BELONGING, AND WELL-BEING TO TURN POST-COMBAT STRESS INTO POST-COMBAT GROWTH. THE FOUNDATION ACHIEVES THIS THROUGH A THREE-PRONG APPROACH: IN PERSON EVENTS, VIRTUAL EVENTS, AND SELF-DIRECTED PROGRAMS.

Income
$202,528
Spending
$122,789
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
16.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$52,667, outgoing executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 132% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    52% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $60,681 spent. 2024 IN PERSON EVENTS - WELL-BEING: THE FOUNDATION CONDUCTED TWO SABER CHALLENGES, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES ON LOCATION AROUND THE UNITED STATES TO MEET VETERANS WHERE THEY ARE AT AND GET THEM TOGETHER WITH COMBAT COMRADES WHO FOUGHT TOGETHER IN AFGHANISTAN TO REKINDLE OLD RELATIONSHIPS AND BUILD NEW PATHWAYS OF COMMUNICATION. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SPONSORED THE THIRD REUNION TO BRING TOGETHER THE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR A WEEKEND OF CONGENIALITY AND CONNECTION TO FOSTER WELL-BEING IN NOT ONLY VETERANS BUT THEIR LOVED ONES, AS WELL.
  2. $1,044 spent. 2024 SELF-DIRECTED PROGRAMS: PURPOSE: THE FOUNDATION CONNECTED WITH VETERAN PARATROOPERS WHO FOUGHT WITH TASK FORCE SABER IN AFGHANISTAN; THESE INDIVIDUALS INSPIRED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION. DUE TO THE REPORTED 22 VETERAN SUICIDES A DAY, THERE IS A PUSH TO PERSONALLY CONNECT WITH OUR MEMBERS AND FAMILIES TO CHECK ON THEIR WELL-BEING AND ESTABLISH A SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIP.
  3. $1,611 spent. 2024 VIRTUAL EVENTS: BELONGING: THE FOUNDATION CONDUCTED STABLE CALLS AND FIDDLER'S GREEN VIRTUAL CHECK-INS. STABLE CALLS ARE ONCE A MONTH CAPACITY BUILDING VIDEO CALLS CONNECTING SURVIVING MEMBERS AND FAMILIES WITH EACH OTHER. DURING THE CALLS, THE FOUNDATION CONVEYS USEFUL INFORMATION BY INVITING PROFESSIONALS TO TALK, ASKING VETERANS TO SHARE STORIES OF CURRENT SUCCESSES OR CHALLENGES, INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS, AND SHARING FOUNDATION NEWS AND/OR UPCOMING EVENTS. FIDDLER'S GREEN VIRTUAL CHECK-INS ARE MORE FLUID AND ORGANIC VIRTUAL GET TOGETHERS WITH BREAK-OUT ROOMS FOR MORE INTIMATE DISCUSSION FOCUSED ON VETERANS' PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL/MENTAL HEALTH, CHALLENGES, REHASHING SHARED STORIES, AND ARE USED AS NEEDED TO BE A WAY FOR VETERANS TO COMMEMORATE A NEWLY LOST COMRADE TO SUICIDE, HEALTH ISSUES, OR UNTIMELY DEATH.

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 October 2021.

    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.