Fact check: What percentage of Tunnel to Towers Foundation donations go directly to supporting families of fallen first responders in 2025?

1. Why the 93% figure keeps appearing and what it actually claims

Multiple documents and summaries state that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s program service ratio is over 93%, meaning that more than 93% of cash expenses are allocated to programmatic activities rather than overhead or fundraising ^{[1] [2] [3]}. CharityWatch’s review of fiscal 2022 audited statements and IRS Form 990 explicitly quantified the foundation as spending 93% of its cash expenses on programs and reported a cost-to-raise-$100 metric of $5, which supports the assertion of high program allocation ^[4]. These repeated references across organizational FAQs and third-party charity evaluators produce a consistent picture that the Foundation prioritizes program spending.

2. What “program services” includes — and why that matters to families

The Foundation’s mission work described in recent coverage emphasizes mortgage-free homes and direct family support for Gold Star families and fallen first responders, which are categorized under program services ^{[7] [6]}. Reporting that over 93% goes to “program services” therefore implies a substantial portion of donations is used for these tangible family supports. However, the provided materials do not break down program services by sub-category, so while the overall program ratio is high, the exact share that goes specifically to families of fallen first responders versus other programmatic initiatives (e.g., veteran services, emergency relief) is not enumerated in the supplied data ^{[7] [8]}.

3. Independent evaluators back the headline percentage but add context

CharityWatch and Charity Navigator both reflect favorable assessments: CharityWatch’s analysis of audited statements and the Form 990 supports the 93% program-spending figure, and Charity Navigator’s multiple consecutive 4-star ratings signal consistent financial health and transparency ^{[4] [5]}. These evaluations reinforce the Foundation’s claim but also highlight that charity metrics can depend on accounting definitions (cash expenses vs. total expenses) and the fiscal year examined. The CharityWatch result specifically references fiscal 2022 paperwork, indicating that the 93% figure is grounded in recent audited data rather than solely self-reporting ^[4].

4. Recent program examples illustrate spending but don’t quantify the split

News items about delivering mortgage-free homes and renovating veterans’ residences demonstrate direct program activity, such as paying off mortgages and home renovations for veterans and first responder families, which align with the Foundation’s mission ^{[7] [6]}. These stories corroborate that significant donor dollars fund family-oriented programs, yet the articles and press releases attached to the analyses do not supply a line-item percentage of donations earmarked exclusively for "fallen first responder families" in 2025. Thus, while program spending is high, the exact fraction going to families of fallen first responders remains unspecified in the supplied materials ^{[7] [8]}.

5. Limits of the available disclosures and what’s missing for absolute precision

The statements anchored to “over 93%” are clear about program allocation but lack granular, 2025-specific breakdowns showing the portion of donated dollars that went uniquely to families of fallen first responders versus other program activities. The FAQ and financial summaries claim a program service ratio but do not provide a contemporaneous schedule showing program-by-program spending for 2025; CharityWatch’s cited figures derive from fiscal 2022 filings, which are the most recently audited numbers cited in the materials ^{[2] [4]}. Therefore, the precise 2025 percentage targeted solely at families of fallen first responders cannot be confirmed from the supplied sources.

6. Balanced conclusion — what can be stated with confidence and what remains uncertain

Based on the provided documentation and independent evaluator summaries, it is accurate to state that more than 93% of Tunnel to Towers’ reported expenses are allocated to program services, and those program services include mortgage-free homes and support for families of fallen first responders ^{[1] [3] [4] [7]}. What cannot be definitively stated from these materials is the exact percentage of total donations in 2025 that went exclusively to families of fallen first responders, because the sources do not offer a detailed program-by-program allocation for 2025; they present an aggregate program-service ratio and illustrative program examples ^{[4] [8]}.

7. Practical takeaway and recommended next steps for verification

If you need an exact 2025 percentage for donations directed solely to families of fallen first responders, request the Foundation’s 2025 audited financial statements or a program-by-program breakdown (Form 990 schedules or audited notes) which would show program expenditures by category and fiscal year. The currently cited materials reliably indicate a high program spending ratio (over 93%) and corroborative third-party ratings, but they stop short of isolating the dollar share that was exclusively used for families of fallen first responders during 2025 ^{[1] [4] [5]}.