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Los Angeles CA | IRS ruling year: 2010 | EIN: 27-1288926
We make the impossible a reality by empowering our injured community through physical and emotional training, allowing them to explore the farthest reaches of themse ... (More)
We make the impossible a reality by empowering our injured community through physical and emotional training, allowing them to explore the farthest reaches of themselves and the world they live in. These expeditions challenge the severely wounded to redefine their personal limits post-injury. (Less)
Good
This charity's score is 87%, earning it a Three-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 90% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The Heroes Project has earned a 85% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2021, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
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Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 3/3 - 35/35 ptsBoard Composition - 3/3 - 35/35 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - N/A - 0/0 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - N/A - 0/0 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 5/5 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 5/5 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 5/5 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 5/5 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 5/5 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 5/5 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 5/5 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 5/5 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 5/5 ptsWebsite - Listed - 5/5 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 0.00% - 25/25 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 0.00% - 25/25 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 58.10% - 0/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 58.10% - 0/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
No Data Available
Revenue and expense data is not available for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.
No Data Available
Key Persons data is currently unavailable for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (The Heroes Project) or EIN (271288926) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
The Heroes Project reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
We were unable to execute our mission because it requires us to travel and we were unable to do that due to COVID travel restrictions. Because of these restrictions, we did not feel it appropriate to continue raising money for a mission that would not be executable.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Our program centers around the ability to travel. Even if borders were open, our veterans have immune system deregulation and medical needs that require hospital accessibility. These needs could not be met during the height of the pandemic and therefore we could not function with our original mission. Additionally, some of our operations take place on military bases and they have been quarantined on and off over the last 24 months making it even more difficult for us to work with our veterans.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We redirected our focus and utilized the quarantine time to plan and start the application process for a veteran retreat center. The new THP veteran retreat center will house all of our programs in the future. This planning included not just the US Forestry Service application, but building and permit applications, hiring an architect and general contractor, conducting a geological survey, doing water, power, and sewer research, consulting with our adaptive homes partners, and everything else associated with a project of this scale. 2 years after the COVID shut down, we have been granted our special use permit and are ready to begin construction and the development of programs for our new veteran retreat center.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We have acquired a special use permit from the United States Forestry Service and are working with our local veterans' affairs office and other veterans' organizations to expand our impact while staying true to our mission. Our Veteran's Retreat Center will house all of our programs safely on one piece of property. We can not only house our programs, but also our veterans at the THP Veteran Retreat Center. Once our veterans and staff have been safely admitted to the property, they would have no need to leave. This totally controlled and essentially locked down facility would keep all THP veterans, staff, and volunteers fully operational and productive even during a pandemic surge.
Not Currently Scored
The Heroes Project cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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No 990 Program Data Found
The Heroes Project cannot currently be evaluated by our Culture & Community methodology because we have not received data from the charity regarding its Constituent Feedback or Equity Practices strategies.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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The Heroes Project has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
We make the impossible a reality by empowering our injured community through physical and emotional training, allowing them to explore the farthest reaches of themselves and the world they live in. These expeditions challenge the severely wounded to redefine their personal limits post injury
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
The Heroes Project inspires our injured men and women to find purpose, both physically and mentally, and ignites others from all walks of life to do the same. On each expedition, The Heroes Project captures footage of our heroes' journeys to recovery. These stories of strength, resilience, and the ability to triumph over the impossible are used as part of our outreach and empowerment programs to inspire the masses. We are currently producing our first documentary on the 7 summits - each summit achieved by a severely wounded veteran.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: EXPEDITIONS FOR HEROES We pair our injured veterans with Team THP alumni and a mountain specifically chosen to challenge them physically and mentally thereby creating transformative experiences.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Two: THE JOURNEY Daily training, weekend trips at altitude, outdoors skills and PTSD support programs are all part of the transformative experience we provide in our mountain headquarters.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: SUPPORT FOR OUR HEROES Our annual event, Climb for Heroes, integrates our veteran support group with actual veterans as they come together and work towards a common goal.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Our injured veterans are tasked with the training and climbing of mountains, and we support them in every way possible to make sure they are successful in that process. After their summit, they are assigned an injured veteran to mentor through the process they have just completed. We have found that our veterans are the best leaders for their military brothers and sisters. Additionally, our non military climbing guides go through extensive ongoing mountaineering training to keep their skills current. Team THP (our alumni mentors) also have access to this training when they are preparing for their next mentee.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Chrome Hearts and Equinox are the founding partners of THP and we are actively involved with their corporate social responsibility campaigns. We have had a decade long relationship with Eddie Bauer and support their community "Why I Hike" campaigns. Team THP and our president speak frequently at schools and conferences to talk about overcoming obstacles and a positive mindset in the midst of hardship. THP partners with multiple veterans organizations like the Boot Campaign, the Los Angeles Veterans Association, The Semper Fi Fund, Team Rubicon, Homes for Our Troops and many others.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
In the last year, we were unable to travel internationally due to COVID. Our leadership team doubled down on efforts to work with the US Forestry Department on the approval and build of a Veteran Retreat Center in Los Angeles County. THP wrote and delivered multiple proposals and was finally approved to build on US Forest Land. The adaption of our program doesn't change our mission. We are still supporting, empowering and motivating US Veterans using the great outdoors and it's natural healing qualities.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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