Spirit of America

What it reported doing in 2024

Spirit of America is a privately-funded nonprofit citizen service organization founded in response to the attacks of 9/11. We have pioneered a new model of providing philanthropic private assistance to support national security and the safety and success of America's troops and diplomats. We unite the American people with US troops and diplomats in common cause; to defend freedom, strengthen security, and save and improve lives. Spirit of America's partnership with the US military results in asymmetric impact: we are able to deliver targeted private assistance efficiently and at scale in the world's toughest places. (Continued on Schedule O)In 2024 we prioritized assistance that met the highest needs and priorities of US troops and diplomats, align with top national security objectives, and help save and improve the most lives.1. Eastern Europe: To save lives and help Ukraine defend its freedom against Russian aggression, Spirit of America provided nonlethal assistance that enables Ukrainian soldiers to identify threats, provide protection to the frontlines, and help them stay alive. Our assistance included investing in a high-impact program that helps the Ukrainian military safeguard billions of dollars in equipment and protect tens of thousands of troops and civilian lives; computers, mobile phones, and other communications equipment to support a secure communications network that identifies threats, saves soldiers' lives, and spares attacks on Ukrainian people and critical infrastructure; and high-priority nonlethal needs for elite units, including surveillance drones, drone jammers, tactical gear, and advanced medical equipment. We also supported an educational program to teach entrepreneurial skills to Ukrainian youth and provided funding to help them implement projects to rebuild their war-affected communities.2. Middle East and Central Asia: To promote regional stability, strengthen security, and create opportunity for youth and families in vulnerable communities, Spirit of America provided assistance to partners and programs across the Middle East and Central Asia. In Iraqi Kurdistan, we strengthened the Peshmerga's capabilities by providing surveillance tools to detect ISIS and proxy groups operating in remote areas; by expanding a Peshmerga English language program to improve tactical interoperability with US Special Operations Forces; and by supporting a new, centralized medical force readiness system to strengthen Peshmerga health services and reporting. In Syria, we provided life saving mine removal equipment to expand landmine removal operations. We provided blankets and food assistance to Syrian families who were displaced by conflict. Through educational programs and community engagement, we empowered thousands of Afghan refugees and students to build a better future in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.3. Asia-Pacific: To protect frontlines of democracy and deter aggression across the Asia-Pacific region, Spirit of America worked with US troops and diplomats to provide nonlethal assistance that strengthened relationships and built the capacity of host nation governmental and nongovernmental entities, including host nation armed forces. In Taiwan, we helped citizens take action to preserve their way of life in the face of threats to their security and democracy. We partnered with the Taiwanese government and civil society to train thousands of citizens in crisis preparedness skills to build Taiwan's resilience to any crisis. We also partnered with local nonprofits to educate Taiwanese people on the skills they need to keep their families safe in the event of a crisis, as well as to educate people on ways to address the spread of false information. We also provided nonlethal assistance to partners of the US military in the Philippines.4. Africa: Spirit of America helped US troops strengthen partnerships to protect communities under threat in West Africa, where terrorist groups have destabilized th

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 77.4%; rating input score 77
• Program expense ratio: 77.7%; rating input score 78
• Fundraising efficiency: $10.4 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 39; 39th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 2 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 25
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Limited
  • Conducts field audits: Limited
  • May suspend future funding: Limited
  • Requires financial reports: Limited
  • Conducts site visits: Limited
  • Requires grant agreements: Pass
  • May require repayment: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 95.4%; rating input score 95; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 83.3%; rating input score 83; 17th 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: 1.5%; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.28; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 9.8%; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 29.7% per year; rating input score 100; 95th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 27.3% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 24.3% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings