Operation Gratitude does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
Operation Gratitude does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a budget for the 2021 fiscal year.
Operation Gratitude meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Operation Gratitude reports it sends individually addressed care packages to military personnel deployed overseas, to their children left behind, and to first responders, new recruits, veterans, wounded heroes, and their care givers. Each package contains snacks, hygiene products, entertainment, and handmade items, as well as personal letters of support. The organization states it provides hands-on volunteer opportunities through collection drives, letter writing campaigns, craft projects, and care package assembly events. In 2019, Operation Gratitude reports that it assembled and delivered 370,000 care packages.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Operation Gratitude's program expenses were:
Program services |
$14,293,813 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$14,293,813 |
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Chief Executive
Kevin M. Schmiegel, President and Chief Executive Officer
-
Compensation*
$310,898
-
Chair of the Board
Martha Martin
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Corporate Treasurer, Lyddy Martin Insurance Services
-
Board Size
7
-
Paid Staff Size
31
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Television
Fundraising costs were 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $17,003,337, 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 Gratitude's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Source of Funds |
Donated goods |
$11,348,035 |
Contributions |
$5,514,599 |
Investment income, net |
$585,829 |
Donated professional services |
$140,703 |
Total Income |
$17,589,166 |
- Programs: 96%
- Administrative: 3%
- Fundraising: Less than 1%
Total Income |
$17,589,166 |
Program expenses |
$14,293,813 |
Fundraising expenses |
$251,134 |
Administrative expenses |
$481,422 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$15,026,369 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$2,562,797 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$10,754,995 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
Ending Net Assets |
$13,317,792 |
Total Liabilities |
$549,952 |
Total Assets |
$13,867,744 |
Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, Operation Gratitude received in-kind gifts totaling $11,488,738 in the form of goods ($11,348,035), management and legal services ($110,376), and advertising ($30,327).