How much of Tunnel to Towers 2024 funds were allocated to veteran and first-responder programs?
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Executive summary
Tunnel to Towers (T2T) reports that roughly 93% of funds raised go to its programs, a figure cited by both the foundation and trade reporting about its 2024 events [1]. CharityWatch’s analysis also highlights a high program-spend ratio—93% of cash expenses on programs, 7% on overhead—while other independent breakdowns of specific dollar allocations vary or are not fully detailed in available documents [2] [1].
1. What the headline numbers say — program spend vs. overhead
The simplest, repeated claim in 2024 materials is that 93% of funds raised by Tunnel to Towers are directed to programs; Running USA’s recap of the foundation’s record 2024 participation repeats that 93% figure [1]. CharityWatch’s profile of the organization independently reports an “A+” rating and notes the foundation spends 93% of its cash expenses on programs and keeps overhead to about 7% [2]. Those two sources align on the headline share devoted to programs [2] [1].
2. What “programs” cover — veterans and first responders, but details are sparse
Available reporting and organizational descriptions show Tunnel to Towers focuses its program work on mortgage-free homes, veteran homelessness initiatives, and services for first responders, honoring FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller and other 9/11 victims [3] [4] [5]. However, the provided sources do not give a line-by-line allocation showing exactly how much of the 93% went specifically to veteran programs versus first-responder programs in 2024; detailed program-by-program dollar totals are not found in current reporting [6] [7].
3. Independent financial documents exist but require careful reading
T2T’s audited financial statements are available for 2023 and include detailed numbers and notes, which are the proper place to look for program spending breakdowns [6]. ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer confirms filings are on record and that the organization filed a 2024 form [7]. Those filings are the authoritative source for precise dollar amounts by program, but the specific program-dollar split for 2024 is not summarized in the other documents provided here [7] [6].
4. Conflicting or differing breakdowns in other summaries
A third-party summary (Paddock Post) gives a different snapshot for prior years, stating $71 of every $100 was spent on grants and programs in one analysis and suggesting other years showed different ratios, including a claim that in 2022 T2T spent $94 of every $100 on revenue with $6 to general fund—illustrating that year-to-year measures and definitions (grants vs program services vs general fund) can produce divergent percentages [8]. Those variations demonstrate why the single “93%” headline needs context about the accounting period and what specific expense categories are included [8].
5. How to get the precise 2024 veteran/first-responder allocation
To answer your original question precisely — how much of 2024 funds were allocated specifically to veteran programs and to first-responder programs — you must consult the foundation’s 2024 Form 990 and the line-item schedules in the audited financial statements (these are available via the foundation and public nonprofit databases) because the summary sources here either give overall program percentages or year-aggregate claims, not a program-by-program 2024 dollar split [6] [7]. Available sources do not mention a direct, sourced dollar breakdown by “veteran” vs “first responder” programs for 2024 [7] [6].
6. Competing perspectives and what to watch for
T2T and charity evaluators like CharityWatch present a favorable picture focused on high program spending [2] [1]. Independent summaries (Paddock Post) show different yearly ratios and highlight increases in net assets and reserves, which could affect how donors view annual spending versus retained funds [8]. Scrutiny often focuses on definitions (what counts as program expense) and timing (multi-year grants or capital projects skew annual ratios); those nuances are not resolved in the provided reporting [8] [6].
7. Recommended next steps for verification
If you need an exact 2024 dollar figure split between veteran and first-responder programs, request or download Tunnel to Towers’ 2024 audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 and inspect Schedule I (or program service expense notes) for program-by-program expenses; ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer and the foundation’s financial PDF are good starting points [7] [6]. For donor-context, compare the foundation’s published program-spend claims (93%) against the Form 990 functional expense breakdown to confirm how “program” is defined [2] [1].
Limitations: this analysis uses only the supplied sources; those sources confirm a 93% program-spend claim but do not provide a clear, cited dollar-by-dollar 2024 split between veteran and first-responder programs [2] [1] [6].