Pat Tillman Foundation

What it reported doing in 2025

The programmatic pillar of the pat tillman foundation is the tillman scholars program. Founded in 2009, the program invests in active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses through academic scholarships and leadership development support. Scholarships cover direct study-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books, and living expenses for scholars pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees as full-time students at accredited, u.s.-based public or private institutions. Each year, the foundation selects up to 60 tillman scholars who display the same four characteristics pat tillman displayed: service, scholarship, humble leadership, and impact. Scholars are selected based on extraordinary academic and leadership potential, a track record of perseverance, and a commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change across the public and private sectors. Since its inception, the foundation has invested over 40 million in tillman scholar scholarships and program service expenses and has named 968 tillman scholars at more than 160 academic institutions nationwide. Tillman scholars represent all six branches of the united states military, including the national guard and reserves, as well as military spouses. During the year ended december 31, 2025, the foundation received over 4,000 complete applications during the month-long submission window. After review by regional and final selection committees, 42 scholars were selected to join the 16th class of tillman scholars. During the years ended december 31, 2025, and 2024, the foundation awarded 1,341,188 and 1,466,750 in scholarships, respectively. As of december 31, 2025 and 2024, the board has designated 1,946,250 and 1,939,500, respectively, for anticipated scholarship renewals for current tillman scholars.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 69.2%; rating input score 69
• Program expense ratio: 78.6%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $11.38 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 14.8%; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.48; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.09; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 13.2%; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.2% per year; rating input score 100; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 7.3% per year; rating input score 100; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 9.6% per year; rating input score 100; 56th percentile among comparable filings