How to Choose the Best Veteran Charity to Support in 2025
You want to support veterans. Maybe you served yourself, or someone you love did. Maybe you simply feel gratitude toward those who volunteered to defend our country and want to give something back. Whatever draws you to this cause, your impulse is good—and veterans need that support.
But here's the challenge: there are over 45,000 nonprofit organizations serving U.S. veterans, active service members, and their families. Some are exceptional—efficiently run, evidence-based, genuinely transforming lives. Others are well-intentioned but ineffective. And some, unfortunately, are outright scams that exploit patriotism and empathy for personal gain.
According to the FTC, veteran and military charities are among the most common targets for charity fraud. "Unscrupulous fundraisers know that it is relatively easy to raise money for this cause," notes CharityWatch, "because playing on both the empathy and patriotism of potential donors can pack a double punch."
So how do you ensure your generosity actually helps veterans rather than lining someone's pockets? This guide will give you the tools to evaluate any veteran charity—and feel confident that your donation is making a real difference.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
The stakes are high. According to the VA's most recent data, an average of 17.6 veterans die by suicide every day—and some researchers suggest the actual number may be significantly higher. An estimated 41% of veterans need mental health care annually. Veterans are more vulnerable in the first three months after separation from military service, facing what researchers call the "deadly gap" when they've lost their military support systems but haven't yet connected with civilian resources.
Effective veteran-serving nonprofits can be lifelines during this critical period. Ineffective ones waste resources that could save lives. Your donation decisions matter.
Seven Questions to Ask Before You Donate
1. Does the charity measure and report its outcomes?
This is the single most important question. Many veteran charities can tell you how many people they served, but far fewer can demonstrate that their programs actually work.
Look for:
• Third-party verification: Are outcomes measured by an independent organization, or only self-reported?
• Specific metrics: Do they track meaningful changes (improved mental health, reduced PTS symptoms, increased purpose) rather than just participation numbers?
• Longitudinal data: Do benefits last beyond the immediate program, or do they fade quickly?
The George W. Bush Institute has noted that "rarely are two veteran-serving organizations created equal" and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices and outcome measurement. Organizations willing to subject themselves to external evaluation demonstrate both confidence in their work and commitment to improvement.
2. How much of my donation goes to programs versus overhead?
Check the charity's financial efficiency using independent watchdog organizations like Charity Navigator, Candid, Great Non-Profits, and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Each evaluates nonprofits on financial health, accountability, and transparency.
Key metrics to examine:
• Program expense ratio: Top-rated charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, with 25% or less on overhead and fundraising
• Cost to raise $100: Efficient charities spend $25 or less to raise $100 in donations
• Form 990: Every registered nonprofit files this IRS form annually. You can find it on the charity's website or through GuideStar
Important nuance: Some legitimate overhead is necessary. Organizations that invest nothing in staff development, evaluation, or infrastructure often struggle to maintain quality. The goal isn't zero overhead—it's reasonable overhead with demonstrated results.
3. Is the organization transparent about its operations?
Trustworthy charities make information readily available:
• Audited financial statements posted publicly
• Board of directors listed with backgrounds
• Clear descriptions of programs and how they work
• Form 990 available on their website
• Donor privacy policy clearly stated
• Impact reports with specific data, not just stories
If a charity is unwilling or unable to provide clear information about how donations are used, that's a red flag.
4. Does the program address root causes or just symptoms?
When veterans leave military service, they often face a triple loss: identity (who am I without my uniform?), purpose (what's my mission now?), and belonging (where's my team?). One-time interventions rarely address these fundamental challenges.
Research shows that effective veteran programs typically include:
• Duration: Sustained engagement over months, not just a single event
• Community: Connection with other veterans who understand the experience
• Evidence-based approaches: Programming grounded in research about what actually works
• Holistic support: Addressing multiple dimensions of wellbeing, not just one symptom
Ask yourself: Does this program create lasting change, or does it just provide temporary relief?
5. What do the watchdogs say?
Don't rely on a single rating source. Different watchdog organizations use different methodologies, and checking multiple sources gives you a more complete picture.
Key resources:
• Charity Navigator: Rates charities on financial health, accountability, and transparency. Look for 3-4 star ratings.
• Great Non-Profits: A leading online platform where donors, volunteers, and clients review and share their experiences with non-profit organizations.
• BBB Wise Giving Alliance: Evaluates charities against 20 standards covering governance, effectiveness, finances, and transparency.
• GuideStar/Candid: Provides access to nonprofits' IRS filings and self-reported information. Look for Platinum Seal of Transparency.
6. How did you hear about this charity?
Be especially cautious if you received an unsolicited phone call, high-pressure solicitation, or emotional appeal that demanded an immediate decision. Legitimate charities welcome donors taking time to research before giving.
Safer approaches to finding veteran charities:
• Research charities proactively rather than responding to solicitations
• Ask veterans you know which organizations helped them
• Start with watchdog "top rated" lists and research from there
• Look for organizations with local presence and community connections
7. Does the mission resonate with you personally?
Veteran-serving organizations address many different needs: housing, employment, mental health, physical rehabilitation, family support, outdoor recreation, service dogs, and more. There's no single "best" cause—the best charity for you is one whose mission aligns with what you care about most.
When you give to an organization whose work genuinely moves you, you're more likely to stay engaged over time, share with others, and maximize your impact.
At Warriors & Quiet Waters, we've built our organization around the principles in this guide. Our outcomes are independently verified by Syracuse University. Our financials are transparent. Our Built for More program provides sustained, evidence-based support over 6-12 months. See our verified impact data or support a Warrior's journey today.
Red Flags: Warning Signs of Charity Scams
The FTC, VA, and charity watchdog organizations have identified these warning signs:
High-pressure tactics: Demanding an immediate donation without giving you time to research. Legitimate charities welcome informed donors.
Vague descriptions: Unable or unwilling to explain specifically what the organization does or how donations are used.
Sound-alike names: Names designed to be confused with well-known organizations. Always verify the exact organization you're donating to.
Unusual payment requests: Asking for cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. These payment methods are untraceable and are hallmarks of scams.
Thanking you for pledges you didn't make: Scammers sometimes claim you've donated before to create false familiarity.
Guaranteed sweepstakes winnings: Promising prizes in exchange for donations is illegal and a sure sign of fraud.
No proof of tax-exempt status: Legitimate charities can easily verify their 501(c)(3) status. You can check any organization using the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search.
If you encounter suspected charity fraud, report it to your state attorney general's office and the FTC.
What Makes Veteran Programs Actually Effective?
Research on veteran-serving nonprofits has identified several characteristics that distinguish truly effective programs from well-intentioned but ineffective ones.
They address the transition, not just symptoms
Veterans are most vulnerable in the first months after separation from military service. Effective organizations understand that transition challenges—loss of identity, purpose, and community—underlie many surface-level struggles. They help veterans build new foundations rather than just treating immediate symptoms.
They build lasting community
Isolation is a significant risk factor for veteran suicide and mental health challenges. The most effective programs don't just serve veterans individually—they connect veterans with each other, creating the kind of mutual support and understanding that military service once provided.
They take time
One-time events can provide temporary relief, but research consistently shows that lasting change requires sustained engagement. Programs that work with veterans over months—not days—produce more durable outcomes.
They measure what matters
Organizations committed to effectiveness don't just count participants—they track whether veterans' lives actually improve. They subject themselves to external evaluation and use the data to continuously refine their approach.
They embrace evidence
The Veteran Wellness Alliance emphasizes that donors should look for organizations using "treatments supported by research" rather than unproven approaches. This doesn't mean rejecting innovative programs—it means supporting organizations that ground their work in evidence and measure their results.
Beyond Financial Metrics: The Deeper Questions
Financial efficiency matters, but it's not the whole story. Some of the most important questions about a veteran charity can't be answered by Form 990s alone:
Do they respect veterans' dignity? The best organizations treat veterans as capable adults with agency, not passive recipients of charity. They empower growth rather than dependency.
Do they reject the "broken veteran" narrative? Veterans aren't broken—they're people who served, often in challenging circumstances, and deserve support in thriving. Organizations that treat veterans as problems to be fixed rather than people with potential often produce worse outcomes.
Do veterans lead the organization? Organizations with veterans in leadership positions often better understand the population they serve. They bring authenticity, empathy, and lived experience.
Do they collaborate rather than compete? The veteran-serving sector is crowded. Organizations that work together, share best practices, and refer veterans to appropriate resources—even competitors—demonstrate a genuine commitment to the mission over organizational self-interest.
Making Your Decision
Choosing a veteran charity doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's a simple process:
1. Start with your values. What aspect of veteran support matters most to you? Mental health? Housing? Employment? Outdoor recreation? Community building?
2. Research candidates. Use watchdog "top rated" lists as a starting point. Check multiple rating sources.
3. Dig deeper. Visit the organization's website. Read their impact reports. Look for third-party verification of outcomes.
4. Ask questions. Reputable charities welcome donor inquiries. If an organization is evasive about finances or outcomes, move on.
5. Give with confidence. Once you've done your homework, give generously to organizations that meet your criteria.
Your Generosity Matters
The existence of charity scams and ineffective organizations shouldn't discourage you from giving—it should motivate you to give wisely. When you direct your donations to effective veteran charities, you're not just avoiding waste; you're actively contributing to programs that can transform lives.
Roughly 200,000 service members transition out of the military each year. Many thrive immediately. Others struggle with the profound adjustment of building a new identity, finding new purpose, and creating new community outside the structure that defined them. The veteran-serving organizations you choose to support can make the difference between a veteran who merely survives that transition and one who truly thrives.
Armed with the right questions and resources, you can ensure that your support reaches organizations that treat donors' dollars as sacred trust—and that treat veterans as the capable, resilient individuals they are.
Warriors & Quiet Waters invites you to verify our work. Review our third-party verified impact data, examine our financials, and learn about our evidence-based Built for More program. When you're ready, support a Warrior's journey with confidence that your gift creates lasting change.
Our veterans volunteered to serve. Choosing to support them wisely is one way we can serve them back.