Best & Worst Veterans Charity Ratings
Nov 8, 2026
As Veterans Day approaches, many Americans will honor those who have served our country by donating to nonprofits that promise to help veterans and their families. But not all veterans charities are equally deserving of your support.
While some organizations use donations efficiently to provide meaningful assistance to veterans, others spend far too much on fundraising and overhead, leaving comparatively little for the programs donors intend to support.
If you receive a direct mail letter with sad photos of injured vets, encounter a pushy telemarketer who won’t take no for an answer, or come across an emotionally evocative video on social media, it’s important to separate the marketing from the reality of how your donations will actually be used.
Nonprofits With Low Program Spending Receive High Ratings From Others
CharityWatch’s ratings are based on an in-depth analysis of a nonprofit’s single or consolidated audited financial statements, as well as the tax filings of the nonprofits included in those statements, and are conducted by degreed accountants with a deep understanding of nonprofit financial reporting.
Our process includes an analysis of in-kind goods and services, which charities often overvalue. We analyze related party transactions and follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) by eliminating them from our end calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100 so that donations and expenses are not double counted. We also analyze “joint costs,” in which charities are allowed to report joint educational / fundraising campaign expenses as program expenses even when the money spent goes to for-profit professional fundraising companies.
Rating Comparison Chart
The chart above contains select examples of nonprofits to which CharityWatch (CW) has assigned “D,” “F,” or “?” ratings as of November 3rd, 2026 based on our criteria. Charity Navigator’s (CN) ratings and Candid’s (Guidestar’s) seals were retrieved from those websites in November 2026 and reflect each charity’s current rating or transparency seal as of the date retrieved. Visit charitywatch.org, charitynavigator.org, and (Candid) guidestar.org to view the most currently published ratings and profiles.
NOTE: Candid’s seals are based on charities’ self-assessments and do not include a financial measurement of how efficiently a charity uses the donations it receives. Charity Navigator’s ratings are automated using data pulled from unaudited charity tax Forms 990 and are based on a 3-year rolling average. The above chart reflects the last fiscal year of that 3-year period.
Top-Rated Veterans Charities
The veterans and military nonprofits featured below have earned Top-Rated status from CharityWatch based on our independent analysis of their financial efficiency, governance, and transparency. To qualify for our Top-Rated list, a nonprofit must earn a financial efficiency rating of B+ or higher, meet our standards for financial transparency and governance, and not hold excessive assets in reserve.
Top-Rated organizations generally spend at least 75% of their cash budgets on programs and no more than $25 to raise each $100 in public support. Unlike rating systems that rely primarily on charities’ self-reported financial information, CharityWatch conducts in-depth analyses of audited financial statements, IRS tax filings, and other documents, making adjustments when necessary to provide donors with a more accurate picture of how efficiently their contributions are raised and spent.
Bob Woodruff Foundation
The Bob Woodruff Foundation supports veterans, service members, and their families by investing in nonprofit programs that address challenges associated with military service and the transition to civilian life. Its grantmaking focuses on areas such as mental health, housing stability, employment, food insecurity, and access to essential services. The foundation also works with community partners to identify gaps in services and strengthen local networks of support for veterans and military families.
Fisher House Foundation
Fisher House Foundation provides free temporary lodging for military and veteran families while a loved one receives medical treatment at a military or Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility. Its network of Fisher Houses allows families to remain close to hospitalized service members and veterans without incurring hotel expenses. The foundation also supports families through programs that help cover travel costs and provides scholarships for military children and spouses.
Gary Sinise Foundation
Gary Sinise Foundation serves military veterans, first responders, and their families through programs designed to support their physical, emotional, and practical needs. Its initiatives include constructing specially adapted homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders, providing equipment and mobility assistance, and organizing recreational and community events. The foundation also offers programs honoring fallen military personnel and first responders and supporting their surviving families.
Homes For Our Troops
Homes For Our Troops builds and donates specially adapted, mortgage-free homes to severely injured post-9/11 veterans. The homes are designed to accommodate disabilities such as limb loss, paralysis, and other significant mobility limitations, allowing recipients greater independence in their daily lives. The organization also provides ongoing support to help veterans and their families adjust to their new homes and achieve greater long-term stability.
Hope For The Warriors
Hope For The Warriors provides comprehensive support to service members, veterans, and military families affected by the challenges of military service. Its programs address physical and emotional wellness, financial stability, career transitions, and community reintegration. Services include individualized case management, employment and education assistance, financial support, and recreational activities designed to promote recovery and strengthen connections among military families.
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund supports military personnel suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress, and related neurological and psychological conditions. The organization has funded the construction of specialized treatment facilities at military installations, including Intrepid Spirit Centers, where service members can receive interdisciplinary care. Its efforts focus on improving access to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for military personnel experiencing the effects of combat-related injuries.
National Military Family Association
National Military Family Association advocates for policies and provides programs designed to improve the well-being of military spouses, children, and families. Its work includes scholarships for military spouses, educational resources, and Operation Purple programs that provide camps and family experiences for military children and families. The organization also conducts research and advocates for improvements in military family benefits, health care, education, and financial security.
Semper Fi & America’s Fund
Semper Fi & America’s Fund provides financial assistance and personalized support to wounded, critically ill, and injured service members, veterans, and their families across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Its programs help cover needs such as housing modifications, transportation, medical-related expenses, adaptive equipment, and family support. The organization also offers transition assistance, education and career resources, and wellness programs to help recipients regain independence and improve their quality of life.
Student Veterans of America
Student Veterans of America supports veterans pursuing higher education and helps them transition successfully from military service to academic and professional careers. Through a nationwide network of campus chapters, the organization provides leadership development, networking opportunities, scholarships, and career resources. It also conducts research and advocates for education policies that improve access to higher education and strengthen support for student veterans.
The Mission Continues
The Mission Continues engages military veterans in community service projects that address local needs while helping veterans develop leadership skills and maintain a sense of purpose after military service. Through organized volunteer initiatives, veterans work alongside community members on projects such as neighborhood revitalization, school improvements, and support for underserved communities. Its programs emphasize continued service, civic engagement, and building connections between veterans and the communities in which they live.
Veterans Community Project
Veterans Community Project works to address veteran homelessness and housing instability through transitional housing and individualized support services. The organization develops villages of small homes that provide veterans experiencing homelessness with private living spaces while they work toward permanent housing. Its programs also connect veterans with case management, health care resources, employment assistance, and other services intended to promote long-term housing stability and independence.
Wounded Warriors Family Support
Wounded Warriors Family Support assists wounded veterans and their families through programs that promote recovery, mobility, and family well-being. Its services include providing specially adapted vehicles, offering respite and recreational experiences for military families, and supporting caregivers and families coping with the long-term effects of service-related injuries. The organization also provides assistance to help wounded veterans maintain independence and improve their quality
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