Give.org logo
Support Give.org
Support Give.org
CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: September 2024 Expires: September 2026

Operation First Response

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
(888) 289-0280
20037 Dove Hill Road
Culpeper, VA, 22701
https://operationfirstresponse.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

Operation First Response meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to serve all branches of our nation’s Wounded Heroes/Disabled Veterans, Gold Star Families, and First Responders with personal and financial needs."

Year, State Incorporated:
2005, VA

Operation First Response (OFR) reports that it provides financial aid to wounded, injured, and critically ill service members and their families. The organization’s family assistance program provides personal and financial services to disabled veterans, first responders, and their families from the onset of the injury or illness throughout the recovery period and transition into their civilian community. OFR’s The Last Mission Project supports veterans and first responders suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with financial aid to attend in-house counseling and therapy treatment. OFR Backpacks sends clothing, hygiene products, a handmade blanket, and phone cards to wounded service members in combat support hospitals. The organization also sends hygiene bags to food and homeless shelters serving veterans. The organization also reports partnering with outside organizations to provide tutoring and specialized training courses for active duty wounded warriors, first responders, and their caregivers. In 2023, OFR reported it assisted 5,221 Wounded Heroes and their families, gave out 900 hygiene bags to veteran homeless shelters, and helped 85 veterans receive specialized training.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Operation First Response's program expenses were:

Program services $911,823
Total Program Expenses $911,823

Chief Executive
Peggy Baker, Founder and President

Compensation*
$38,804

Chair of the Board
Phillip Irizarry

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, United States Marine Corp and Federal Law Enforcement

Board Size
7

Paid Staff Size
2

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Internet, Direct mail appeals, Special events, Foundation grants

Fundraising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,024,500, 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 Operation First Response's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Contributions $645,196
In-kind contributions $379,304
Unrealized investment income $3,268
Interest income $64
Total Income $1,027,832

Programs: 95% Fundraising: 2% Administrative: 3%

Total Income $1,027,832
Total expenses: $957,816
  Program expenses $911,823
  Fundraising expenses $18,337
  Administrative expenses $27,656
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $70,016
Beginning Net Assets $791,000
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $861,016
Total Liabilities $0
Total Assets $861,016

Note: According to the organization's 2023 audited financial statements, OFR received in-kind contributions totaling $379,304 in the form of specialized training ($294,000), OFR backpacks ($36,655), office space ($24,000), Google AdWords ($23,600), military family assistance ($1,000), and office supplies ($49).

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