Gary Sinise Foundation

According to the Gary Sinise Foundation consolidated audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 2 re: In-kind donations), the Foundation received in-kind donations in 2020 on which it placed a total value of $3,163,340. Of this amount, $1,882,218 consisted of donated "Construction – materials and supplies," and $635,840 consisted of donated "Construction costs – labor."

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the Gary Sinise Foundation consolidated audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 5, Commitments and Contingencies, Smart Home Construction):

"Through its R.I.S.E. program, the Organization is committed to building 31 Smart Homes. The total budgeted cost of those Smart Homes total $28,192,832. As of December 31, 2020, the Organization had expended $26,528,844 on those homes, resulting in a remaining net commitment of $1,663,988."

According to the Gary Sinise Foundation 2020 tax filing, Gary Sinise and his wife, Moira Sinise, are two of the Foundation's eight board members (IRS Form 990, Part VII, Section A & Schedule O). Gary Sinise is also reported as board chair and president (IRS Form 990, Part VII, Section A).

According to the Gary Sinise Foundation consolidated audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 12, Risks and Uncertainties):

"On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. The COVID-19 outbreak in the United States has caused business disruption through mandated and voluntary closings of businesses and shelter-in-place orders.

"While the business disruption is currently expected to be temporary, there is considerable uncertainty around the duration of the closings and shelter-in-place orders. It is at least reasonably possible that this matter will negatively impact the Organization. However, the financial impact and duration cannot be reasonably estimated at this time."

According to the Gary Sinise Foundation consolidated audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 13, Subsequent Event):

"In March 2021, the Foundation discovered that it had been the victim of wire fraud. Following an extensive review, it was determined that the data breach occurred in late December 2020 but the outlay of cash, totaling $1,150,000, was criminally seized in the first quarter of 2021. As of the date of these [audited] consolidated financial statements [November 12, 2021], the Foundation has recovered approximately $355,000 and is currently working with the financial institution and insurance carriers in an attempt to recover more. At this time, there are no assurances that the Foundation will receive additional funds based upon these efforts.

"Subsequent to the discovery, the Foundation has implemented additional internal control measures to prevent any future data breach attempts, moved funds to a more secure financial institution and onboarded a new IT company and a new accounting service provider. In addition, in June 2021, upon the then CEO's retirement, the Foundation appointed a new CEO. Several other changes in management, including the departure of the COO and the appointment of a CFO, have also occurred subsequent to the December 31, 2020 year end."