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Top-rated military charities, direct donate links, and how to avoid scams.

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Charities

Top-rated charities that support service members, veterans and families. Every one shown has 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator as of Oct 20, 2026. We earn nothing from donations.

How to give wisely ↓

Fisher House Foundation

Free lodging near military and VA medical centers so families can stay close during treatment.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 11-3158401), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Fisher House

What you get: Free lodging near military and VA medical centers while a loved one gets treatment. No room fee.

Who's eligible: Military and veteran families of patients. Each medical center sets its own rules.

How to ask: Contact the manager of the Fisher House at your medical center.

Get help →

Source: fisherhouse.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

USO

Centers, entertainment and programs that keep service members connected to family, home and country.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 13-1610451), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from USO

What you get: USO centers with free Wi-Fi, snacks and a place to rest. Transition help when you leave the service.

Who's eligible: Service members and their families.

How to ask: Use Find a USO on uso.org to find the nearest center.

Get help →

Source: uso.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Army Emergency Relief

Grants and zero-interest loans for Soldiers' emergencies, plus scholarships.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 53-0196552), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Army Emergency Relief

What you get: Grants and zero-interest loans for emergencies, plus scholarships.

Who's eligible: Soldiers, retired Soldiers, and their families.

How to ask: Apply online in the AER portal. If approved, funds arrive by ACH, PayPal or Zelle.

Get help →

Source: armyemergencyrelief.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Interest-free loans and grants, emergency travel and budget help for Sailors and Marines.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 53-0204618), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

What you get: Interest-free loans and grants (often same day), emergency travel, Budget for Baby classes, visiting nurses.

Who's eligible: Active-duty and retired Sailors and Marines, and their families.

How to ask: Find your nearest NMCRS office and schedule an appointment.

Get help →

Source: nmcrs.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Air & Space Forces Aid Society

No-interest loans and grants for Airmen, Guardians and families.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 54-1797281), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Air & Space Forces Aid Society

What you get: No-interest loans and grants for emergencies. Up to $2,500 for spouse job training. A $200 car seat gift (E1–E5).

Who's eligible: Airmen and Guardians and their families. Education help covers active duty and retired families.

How to ask: Request help in the AFAS online portal.

Get help →

Source: afas.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Interest-free loans, grants and financial counseling for the Coast Guard family.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 31-1801931), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

What you get: Interest-free loans, grants and financial counseling.

Who's eligible: Active duty, Reserve, retired, Auxiliary, civilian employees, PHS officers and surviving spouses.

How to ask: Start with your local CGMA representative (600+ of them).

Get help →

Source: mycgma.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)

Care and connection for families of fallen service members.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 92-0152268), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from TAPS

What you get: Care and connection for the families of fallen service members. 24/7 support line: 800-959-8277.

Who's eligible: Families grieving the death of a military loved one.

How to ask: Call 800-959-TAPS any time, or use Get Support on taps.org.

Get help →

Source: taps.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Gary Sinise Foundation

Programs for wounded heroes, families of the fallen and first responders.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 80-0587086), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Gary Sinise Foundation

What you get: Programs for severely wounded heroes, families of the fallen, invisible wounds, and veterans of every conflict.

Who's eligible: Active duty, veterans, wounded heroes, Gold Star families, and first responders.

How to ask: Pick a program under How We Serve on garysinisefoundation.org.

Get help →

Source: garysinisefoundation.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Snowball Express

Year-round support and an annual trip. Last year 1,600+ children and surviving spouses went to Walt Disney World. A program of the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Get help from Snowball Express

What you get: Year-round support and an annual trip. Last year 1,600+ children and surviving spouses went to Walt Disney World.

Who's eligible: Children and surviving spouses of fallen military and first responder heroes.

How to ask: Start on the Snowball Express page on garysinisefoundation.org.

Get help →

Source: garysinisefoundation.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Operation Homefront

Financial help, housing programs and family events for military families.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 32-0033325), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Operation Homefront

What you get: Financial assistance, housing programs and family events.

Who's eligible: Military and veteran families.

How to ask: Tap Get help now on operationhomefront.org.

Get help →

Source: operationhomefront.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Folds of Honor

Educational scholarships for families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 75-3240683), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Semper Fi & America's Fund

Case management and lifetime support for wounded, critically ill and injured service members.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 26-0086305), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Semper Fi & America's Fund

What you get: One-on-one case management, connection and lifetime support.

Who's eligible: Critically wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans of all branches, and their families.

How to ask: Contact the Fund through thefund.org.

Get help →

Source: thefund.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Homes For Our Troops

Builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 54-2143612), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Hope For The Warriors

Programs that build resilience and purpose for service members, veterans and families.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 20-5182295), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Hope For The Warriors

What you get: Programs that build resilience and purpose, plus help connecting to services.

Who's eligible: U.S. service members, veterans and their families.

How to ask: Use Connect to Services on hopeforthewarriors.org.

Get help →

Source: hopeforthewarriors.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

Wounded Warrior Project

Mental health, wellness, benefits help and peer support for wounded veterans.

  • ★★★★ 4 of 4 stars on Charity Navigator
  • IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 20-2370934), so U.S. donations are generally tax-deductible.
  • CFC number: not verified. Search the name on CFC Giving.
Get help from Wounded Warrior Project

What you get: Mental health, physical wellness, VA benefits help and peer support.

Who's eligible: Post-9/11 wounded, ill or injured veterans, their families and caregivers.

How to ask: Join on woundedwarriorproject.org.

Get help →

Source: woundedwarriorproject.org, checked Oct 20, 2026.

Donate on their official site →

Rating and status checked on Charity Navigator Oct 20, 2026. Donate link is the charity's own page.

How to give wisely

  • Check ratings. Look the charity up on Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance or CharityWatch. Search its name plus “complaint” or “scam.”
  • Confirm it's tax-exempt. Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
  • Give at work with the CFC. The Combined Federal Campaign is the official workplace giving program for federal and military employees. Pledge at cfcgiving.opm.gov.
  • Avoid scams. Don't be rushed. Don't trust caller ID. Watch for names that only sound like real charities. Never pay by gift card, wire transfer, crypto or payment app; a credit card or check is safer.
  • Go direct. Type the charity's web address yourself or use the official links on this page.
  • Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Tips from the FTC's Before Giving to a Charity and Donating Safely, checked Oct 20, 2026.

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