Hundreds of nonprofits, guided by talented and dedicated leaders, are stepping up to address the critical, unmet needs of military families across the spectrum of active duty, wounded and fallen, veterans and dependents. But, how do you as a donor discover and evaluate the finest, most effective nonprofit organizations serving the military?
The Patriots Initiative's Directory identifies those exceptional organizations that have engaged in 'best practices' and have proven themselves to be effective, efficient and reliable service providers. Each charity has completed a comprehensive questionnaire and undergone a thorough evaluation by TPI staff and a Board Review Committee to confirm their capabilities, expertise and effectiveness by focusing on eight criteria:
| Measuring Effectiveness |
| Financial Condition |
| Efficiency (the % of Revenues directed to the program) |
| Transparency, Accountability, Governance |
| Leadership and Staff Commitment |
| Legal and Organizational Status |
| Accreditations |
| Other Factors |
The result is a comprehensive list of the charitable organizations identified for doing the best work in their area of focus and expertise. The examination is rigorous and many charities do not qualify initially for inclusion in The Directory. However, TPI regularly updates The Directory of recognized nonprofits as new programs and unique causes arise, locally, regionally and nationally, or as reevaluations need to occur. TPI leaders and staff meet from time to time with these organizations to maintain a current understanding of their work.
The Patriots Initiative has been observing the actions and activities of The Wounded Warrior Project during the 10 months since the disqualification announcement. While WWP’s Board has since terminated its CEO and COO and is beginning to refocus personnel and programming to improve services, TPI has not discerned substantial, credible or sustained progress.
