Gary Sinise Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $19,104,525 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $5,600,000 (varies significantly by program)
• Geographic Focus: United States (national)
• Established: 2011
• EIN: 80-0587086

Contact Details

Website: https://www.garysinisefoundation.org
Phone: 888-708-7757 or 615-575-3500
Email: info@garysinisefoundation.org
Location: Franklin, TN

First Responder Grants: Apply online at https://garysinisefoundation.tfaforms.net/4655198
R.I.S.E. Program (Specially Adapted Smart Homes): Apply at https://garysinisefoundation.tfaforms.net/4655170
General Inquiries: https://garysinisefoundation.tfaforms.net/4641222

Overview

The Gary Sinise Foundation was established in 2010 and publicly launched in 2011 by actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, best known for his role as Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump." The foundation serves the nation by honoring defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. With annual revenues of $81.4 million (2024) and total grants distributed of $19.1 million (2024), the foundation has raised over $300 million from 2011 to 2021. The organization earned a 4-star rating (100%) from Charity Navigator and meets all CharityWatch governance and transparency benchmarks. In fiscal year 2025, 89% of every dollar contributed was applied directly to support service members, veterans, first responders, and their families. The foundation relocated its headquarters from Woodland Hills, California to Franklin, Tennessee in 2022.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

First Responder Outreach Grants (Rolling Basis, Online Application)

• Grant Range: $5,000 - $55,000+ (most common: $5,000; larger grants awarded up to $150,000+)
• Purpose: Equipment and training for law enforcement departments, fire departments, and paramedic/EMS departments
• Application Method: Online application form, rolling basis (no fixed deadlines)
• Priority: Volunteer, low-staffed, and underfunded departments
• Recent Impact: As of October 2022, provided 428 emergency relief grants, 12,887 pieces of essential equipment donated, and 1,135 first responder training grants funded
• 2023 Impact: Assisted fire departments throughout the U.S. with over 2,135 pieces of equipment totaling $5.6 million
• Reapplication: Departments that receive grants are barred from re-applying for 1 year
• Recent Example: Seattle Fire received a $150,000 grant; Everett Fire Department received $56,000

R.I.S.E. Program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) (Application-Based)

• Grant Type: 100% mortgage-free specially adapted smart homes
• Eligibility: Most severely wounded Post-9/11 veterans and first responders with amputations, traumatic brain injuries, burns, and post-traumatic stress
• Value: Fully customized homes with smart technology (automated lighting, door locks, climate control, voice-activated systems)
• Impact: 90 homes completed since inception; 9 completed in most recent fiscal year
• Additional Support: 21 adapted vehicles, 18 mobility devices, 37 home modifications

Relief and Resiliency Outreach (H.O.P.E. Program) (Application-Based)

• Grant Type: Emergency financial assistance grants for individual veterans, first responders, and their families
• Purpose: Urgent needs including paying bills, buying groceries, and other immediate necessities
• Impact: Over 557 grants provided to individuals in urgent need
• Application: Through inquiry application form on website

Snowball Express (Invitation/Event-Based)

• Program Type: Events for families of fallen military heroes and first responders
• Impact: 2,755 families hosted at two annual events (2023); 1,393 attendees at smaller regional events
• Recent: Over 1,000 children and surviving spouses of fallen first responders attended

Avalon Network (Direct Service)

• Purpose: Cognitive health and mental wellness network addressing post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and substance abuse in first responders and veterans

Priority Areas

• Severely wounded Post-9/11 veterans and first responders
• Law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS/paramedic departments (especially volunteer and underfunded)
• Families of fallen military heroes and first responders
• Veterans and first responders facing financial hardship or urgent needs
• Mental health and cognitive wellness for those who served

What They Don't Fund

• Building costs or operating expenses for first responder departments (grants limited to equipment and training only)
• Organizations or departments that received a grant within the previous 1 year (first responder grants)
• The foundation does not operate a formal competitive grant program for general nonprofit applicants; grants are mission-specific

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Gary Sinise (Actor and Humanitarian)

Executive Leadership:

• Executive Director: Donna Palmer, J.D. (assumed role August 2022)
  • Previously Chief Philanthropy Officer at the foundation
  • Distinguished career in philanthropy including roles at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The American Diabetes Association, and the LIVESTRONG Foundation

Previous Leadership:

• Dr. Mike Thirtle served as CEO from July 2021 to August 2022
• General (Ret.) Robin Rand served as CEO from October 2018 to 2021 (retired four-star U.S. Air Force General)

Board of Directors: Includes retired military officers (U.S. Army General, U.S. Army Colonel, U.S. Army Lieutenant General) and business leaders. Recent additions include Greg Gadson (retired Army Colonel) and Barbara Titus (VP of Sheoga Hardwood Flooring) in 2020.

Leadership Quotes:

General (Ret.) Robin Rand on the foundation's mission: "Part of our mission at the Gary Sinise Foundation is to serve and fiercely protect those who so courageously defend and protect our nation. We are staunchly committed to standing with our first responders and those indispensable to the safety of our nation."

Gary Sinise on his life's work: "My life's work has been to honor and support our nation's veterans, first responders, wounded heroes, families of the fallen, and those enduring invisible wounds. I launched Gary Sinise Foundation to expand that mission."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

First Responder Equipment & Training Grants:

• Method: Online application form available at https://garysinisefoundation.tfaforms.net/4655198
• Schedule: Rolling basis (no fixed deadlines) - applications accepted year-round
• Eligibility: All law enforcement departments, fire departments, and paramedic/EMS departments are eligible
• Restrictions: Grants limited to equipment and training only (not building costs or operating expenses)
• Priority: Given to volunteer, low-staffed, and underfunded departments
• Guidelines: FY25 First Responder Grant Guidelines available through the foundation

R.I.S.E. Program (Specially Adapted Smart Homes):

• Method: Preliminary application form at https://garysinisefoundation.tfaforms.net/4655170
• Eligibility: Severely wounded Post-9/11 veterans and first responders with qualifying injuries

H.O.P.E. Program (Individual Support Grants):

• Method: Inquiry application form at https://garysinisefoundation.tfaforms.net/4641222
• Applicant Types: Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, first responders, or immediate family members of someone who served

General Inquiries:

• Contact page provides pathways for different applicant types
• Responses to community fundraiser applications typically provided within two weeks

Decision Timeline

The foundation has not publicly disclosed specific decision timelines for grant applications. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis as they are submitted.

Success Rates

Success rates and total number of applications received are not publicly disclosed. The foundation distributed 145 grants in 2024 totaling $19.1 million.

Reapplication Policy

First Responder Grants: Departments that receive a grant are prohibited from reapplying for another grant for a period of 1 year.

Other Programs: Reapplication policies for individual support programs and R.I.S.E. are not publicly specified.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and grant distribution patterns, the following factors appear important for successful applications:

For First Responder Departments:

• Demonstrate Need: Priority given to volunteer, low-staffed, and underfunded departments - clearly articulate resource constraints
• Equipment vs. Operating Costs: Only request funding for specific equipment or training, never building costs or operating expenses
• Mission Alignment: Show how the requested equipment or training directly supports protecting and serving communities
• Specificity: Based on the foundation's track record of providing specific equipment items, detailed and itemized requests are likely more successful

For Individual Applicants (Veterans/First Responders):

• Service Verification: Be prepared to verify military service or first responder status
• Urgent Need: H.O.P.E. grants are for those in "urgent need" - immediate financial crises take priority
• Family Connection: Immediate family members of those who served are also eligible

For R.I.S.E. Program Applicants:

• Severity of Injury: Program serves the "most severely wounded" - significant combat-related or duty-related injuries
• Post-9/11 Service: Program "predominantly supports Post 9/11 defenders"
• Qualifying Injuries: Amputations, traumatic brain injuries, burns, and post-traumatic stress are specifically mentioned

General Success Factors:

• The foundation does not operate a traditional competitive grant program for general nonprofit organizations
• Grants to large veterans' organizations tend to be in the millions, while smaller local organizations receive $5,000-$55,000
• The foundation appears to identify some grant recipients through partnerships (e.g., Amazon partnership for first responder grants)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Mission-Driven Focus: The foundation has a laser focus on veterans, first responders, and their families - applications must clearly align with this specific mission
• Application Accessible for First Responders: The first responder grant program has an open application process with rolling deadlines, making it accessible to all eligible departments throughout the year
• Priority to Underfunded Departments: If representing a volunteer or underfunded department, emphasize this prominently as these receive priority consideration
• Equipment Specificity Matters: For first responder grants, be specific about equipment needs rather than general funding requests - the foundation has distributed over 12,887 pieces of specific equipment
• One-Year Wait Period: Plan strategically - departments receiving grants cannot reapply for one year, so make the initial request count
• Individual Support Available: Veterans and first responders facing urgent personal financial crises can apply directly for H.O.P.E. grants - this is separate from organizational grants
• High Efficiency Rating: With 89% of funds going directly to programs, the foundation prioritizes mission delivery over administrative costs, suggesting they value direct impact in applications
• Partnership Opportunities: The foundation partners with organizations like Amazon to expand reach - consider whether partnership approaches might be relevant

References

1. Charity Navigator - Rating for Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/800587086
2. Gary Sinise Foundation | Nashville, TN | Cause IQ. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/gary-sinise-foundation,800587086/
3. Programs | Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/programs
4. Gary Sinise Foundation | Inside Philanthropy. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-s/gary-sinise-foundation
5. Gary Sinise Foundation First Responder Grant Program - First Responder Grants. https://firstrespondergrants.com/gary-sinise-foundation-first-responder-grant-program/
6. Gary Sinise Foundation Inquiry Application. https://garysinisefoundation.tfaforms.net/4641222
7. FAQ | Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/faq
8. First Responder Grant Guidelines (FY25). https://assets.ctfassets.net/yx7kkugbpdox/3l5LTAwI25ZMEFeWt9dMF3/ed285215b7ca6e57dbe5060c3849a8e9/GSF_FRO_Grant_Guidelines_FY25.pdf
9. Specially Adapted Smart Homes | Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/specially-adapted-smart-homes
10. Preliminary R.I.S.E Specially Adapted Smart Home Application. https://garysinisefoundation.tfaforms.net/4655170
11. Financials | Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/financials
12. Gary Sinise Foundation | Franklin, TN | 990 Report | Instrumentl. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/gary-sinise-foundation
13. Leadership and Vision from General (Ret.) Robin Rand, CEO of the Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/news/leadership-and-vision-from-gen-robin-rand-ret-ceo-of-the-gary-sinise
14. Gary Sinise Foundation Enlists Four Star General Robin Rand (RET) As CEO. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gary-sinise-foundation-enlists-four-star-general-robin-rand-ret-as-ceo-300731151.html
15. Our Impact | Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/impact
16. Amazon, Gary Sinise Foundation award Seattle Fire $150,000 grant. https://fireline.seattle.gov/2023/10/24/amazon-gary-sinise-foundation-award-seattle-fire-150000-grant/
17. Gary Sinise Foundation & Amazon award Everett Fire $56K. https://www.everettwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/41087/032825-Gary-Sinise-Foundation
18. Board of Directors | Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/team/board-of-directors
19. GARY SINISE FOUNDATION (GSF) ANNOUNCES THE DEPARTURE OF CEO DR. MIKE THIRTLE. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gary-sinise-foundation-gsf-announces-the-departure-of-ceo-dr-mike-thirtle-301610185.html
20. Founder | Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/founder
21. Gary Sinise Foundation Celebrates 10 Years of Service. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/news/gary-sinise-foundation-celebrates-10-years-of-service
22. Our Mission | Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/mission
23. Contact Us | Gary Sinise Foundation. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/contact

All sources accessed December 2025.