Gary Sinise Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Gary Sinise Foundation supports military and veterans’ organizations, especially in the areas of mental health and human services. It also runs signature programs for disabled veterans and the families of fallen heroes. Funding also goes to fire fighting and other first response organizations across the U.S.
IP TAKE: The Gary Sinise Foundation champions veterans causes and is a good source of funding for organizations working with military, veterans and their families. The foundation is not particularly accessible and it does not run a formal application program, but individuals and organizations seeking support may make requests via the Sinise Foundation’s contact page. It is approachable, so don’t hesitate to contact them.
PROFILE: The Gary Sinise Foundation, formerly the Avalon Fund, was established in 2011 by the actor Gary Sinise. Sinise, an award-winning actor known for his roles in Forrest Gump, Apollo 13 and Of Mice and Men, is a longtime volunteer and supporter of veterans causes. Sinise has worked extensively with the U.S.O., performing at military bases around the world with the Lt. Dan Band, which is named for his character in Forrest Gump. The Gary Sinise Foundation aims to “serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.” Through grantmaking and signature programs, the foundation supports a broad range of organizations working with target populations in mental health, health and human services.
Grants for Military and Veterans, Mental Health and Brain Research
More than half of the Sinise Foundation’s philanthropy focuses on military and veterans’ causes, specifically in the areas of mental health and brain injury. The foundation’s signature R.I.S.E (Restoring Independence and Supporting Empowerment) program works to provide “specially adapted smart homes” as well as home modifications, mobility aids and vehicles to “our nation’s most severely wounded heroes.” Individual veterans and first responders and their families facing financial or other difficulty may also receive support through another signature program, H.O.P.E., which provides funding for everyday needs including “paying bills and buying groceries.” The Sinise Foundation supports the families of “fallen military heroes” via its signature Snowball Express program, which coordinates “programming and support that holds space to honor their fallen heroes while also helping create new memories as they move forward.”
In addition to these programs, the Sinise Foundation supports many organizations working with veterans in the areas of Mental Wellness. In a recent year, the foundation gave $12.5 million to Florida’s Shands Jacksonville Medical Center for veterans’ services. Other recent grantees include the Boulder Crest Foundation, which works to create peer groups of veterans struggling with PTSD, and Warriors Heart, which provides inpatient treatment for veterans struggling with mental illness and chemical dependency. The foundation has also provided ongoing support to the Marcus Institute for Brain Health at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus for its comprehensive care program for veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Grants for Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid
A significant portion of the Sinise Foundation’s grantmaking goes to First Responders, including fire, police and other safety organizations, with the goal of providing “critical funding for emergency relief, training, and essential equipment to ensure these heroes perform to the best of their abilities.” Past grantees include the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Irwinton Fire Department of Irwinton, Georgia and the Henderson City-County Rescue Squad in Kentucky, among others.
Important Grant Details:
The Gary Sinise Foundation’s annual grantmaking has fluctuated in recent years between about $7 million and $13 million. Grants to large veterans’ organizations and hospitals tend to be in the millions, while grants to smaller and local organizations tend to range from $10,000 to $55,000. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s recent annual report or its tax filings.
The Sinise Foundation accepts requests for support from organizations and individuals via its contact page. Grantseekers may also wish to sign up for the foundation’s newsletter for information about funding and collaboration opportunities.
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