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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: July 2024 Expires: July 2026

SoldierStrong

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
1 4 6 7
(888) 898-3235
1127 High Ridge Road, #124
Stamford, CT, 06905
https://www.soldierstrong.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

SoldierStrong does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

SoldierStrong does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:

  • Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once every two years.

Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

SoldierStrong does not meet this Standard because:

  • The Chief Executive Officer also serves as the chair of the board of directors.

Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

SoldierStrong does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization's effectiveness assessment policy does not specify that this assessment will take place at least once every two years.

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

SoldierStrong does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 15

SoldierStrong meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to provide support and opportunities to returning soldiers and military personnel."

Year, State Incorporated:
2013, CT

SoldierStrong reports that serves injured U.S. military veterans through the provision of medical technologies to Veterans Affairs hospitals and other medical facilities, as well as individual veterans, across the country. These technologies include the "SoldierSuit," also known as an exoskeleton, which is a wearable robotic device that helps paralyzed and injured veterans stand and walk. In addition, the organization supplies BraveMind virtual reality system used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress and the iBOT Personal Mobility Device, an all-terrain powered wheelchair. In 2023, SoldierStrong states that it donated six BraveMind virtual reality systems, awarded six educational scholarships, and co-developed a Battle Buddy app, aimed at using technology to prevent veteran suicide.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, SoldierStrong's program expenses were:

Program services: $1,940,687

Total Program Expenses: $1,940,687

Chief Executive
Christopher Meek, Chief Executive Officer

Chair of the Board
Christopher Meek

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SoldierStrong

Board Size
9

Paid Staff Size
0

*2023 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: SoldierStrong notes that the members of the board of directors are fulfilling the role of Chief Executive Officer while the organization interviews to fill the role permanently.

Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Telemarketing, Foundation grants, Print advertisements

Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,983,638, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on SoldierStrong's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Source of Funds
Contributions $727,190
Grants and awards $1,000,000
Investment income $-15,185
Special events, net $256,448
Total Income $1,968,453

Programs: 90% Fundraising: 8% Administrative: 2%

Total Income $1,968,453
Total expenses: $2,145,431
  Program expenses $1,940,687
  Fundraising expenses $171,832
  Administrative expenses $32,912
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-176,978
Beginning Net Assets $378,980
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $202,002
Total Liabilities $1,024,203
Total Assets $1,226,205

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance