Our Mission

At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first

responders, their families, and those in need.

We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire,

strengthen, and build communities.

“Freedom and security are precious gifts that we, as Americans, should never take for granted. We must do all we can to extend our hand in times of need to those who willingly sacrifice each day to provide that freedom and security.

While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation's defenders, we can always do a little more.” –Gary Sinise

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Our Programs

s u p por t i n g e m powerme n t

r e s t o r i n g i n d e p e n d e n c e

o u t r e a c hresiliencyrelief

spiritf e s t i v a l

inv inc ible

o u t r e a c hentertainment

&ARTS

serv i ng

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s u p por t i n g e m powerme n t

r e s t o r i n g i n d e p e n d e n c e

In 2012, the Gary Sinise Foundation began building custom specially adapted

smart homes for America’s severely wounded veterans through its Building for

America’s Bravest partner program. Each specially adapted smart home features

automated amenities to ease the daily challenges these heroes face.

In 2013, the Gary Sinise Foundation expanded these efforts by establishing its

R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment).

R.I.S.E. is providing wounded heroes and their families with the resources

they need to move forward with their lives.

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What We Accomplish

Through R.I.S.E.

R.I.S.E. is helping our nation’s wounded heroes reclaim their self-respect and independence. Based on each hero's individual needs, we're providing:

• Specially Adapted Smart Homes

• Home Modifications

• Track Chairs

• Wheelchairs

• Adapted Vehicles

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Who We Help

specially adapted smart homes completed or underway through R.I.S.E. or our Building for America's Bravest partner program

In addition to...

9 Home modifications

3 Adapted vehicles for families of wounded heroes

7 Mobility devices

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spec i a llya d a p t e dsmart home

How We Select Our

Home Recipients

• Candidates for specially adapted smart homes are found primarily through Gary's personal relationships with our wounded heroes and his regular visits to military hospitals. Organizations such as Semper Fi, Wounded Warrior Family Support, Hope for the Warriors as well as previous home recipients also refer wounded heroes to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

• In order to be considered, a candidate must be an active duty or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who sustained a combat injury after September 11, 2001 and has been given a DOD rating of 100%. They must also have been granted eligibility for a VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant (“SAH”).

• The Gary Sinise Foundation grants priority to candidates based on severity of injury, their family, current living situation and community support.

• Candidates and their spouses must also have a face-to-face interview to ensure they understand the process of home building, home ownership and long term financial planning for their estate.

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Our Process

• Planning & Design (4 months): Interview the veteran and caregiver to establish specific needs and the family/caregiver dynamics. Establish the consultant team (architect, engineers, contractor). Engage the municipality. Begin design process. Integrate VA Specially Adapted Housing Requirements. Complete site plans. Assemble submittals for permits and approvals.

• Pre-Construction (3 months): Interior finish selections. Finalize budget, project schedule, construction contract. Coordinate in-kind material donations. Secure material procurement schedule. Hire subcontractors. Secure and verify insurance. Hold groundbreaking ceremony with veteran, their family & friends, and new local community.

• Construction (10 months): Manage schedule, budget and quality control. Coordinate VA reporting. Oversee progress and management of contractors and subcontractors. Ongoing communication with veteran and family.

• Closing & Turnover (1 month): Site clean-up, walk through and municipal inspections. Conduct home dedication ceremony with veteran, their family, supporters and community. Veteran is handed the keys and iPad to their new forever home!

Start to finish, the Gary Sinise Foundation’s specially adapted smart home construction projects average an 18 month timeline. This schedule is contingent upon weather, regulatory changes, unforeseen conditions and acts of God. Once the land is purchased, our process involves four phases:

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How Customized Are Our

Specially Adapted Smart Homes?

Injury: A severe burn victim, for example, will have different needs than a quadruple amputee.

Caregiver: The network of support for our wounded heroes ranges from a spouse, to an aging parent, sibling, or paid caregiver. Each situation requires different accommodations.

Number of residents in the home: We are building homes for a variety of family situations. Some projects are for young, single individuals while others include families as large as seven. Others have multi-generational families under the same roof.

Each specially adapted smart home project is individually tailored to the hero's needs according to the following criteria:

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US Army (Ret) MSG John Masson Southern Pines, NC

Injury: Triple Amputee

Caregiver: Wife, Dustina

Children: Johnathan, Morgan and Ethan

Customizations: John’s home is equipped with a large bathroom with a roll-up sink and his & her showers. The custom shower heads can be used in a seated position and a door on the tub allows John access without assistance. The closets have moveable racks so John can access his clothes himself. An accessible bathroom adjoins his "man cave" and the bonus room above the garage has an escalator stair chair lift. The kitchen includes roll-up sink, stove, microwave and accessible cabinets. All doors, lights, sound system, TV, heating and cooling are also automated. All outside spaces are wheelchair accessible.

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Tour The Masson Home

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Tour The Masson Home

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US Army SGT Rusty Dunagan EDMOND, OK

Injury: Triple Amputee

Caregivers: Wife, Angie

Children: Marissa, Daniel, Roque, AnnaLisa, RosaLee

Customizations: Due to the nature of his injuries, Rusty is unable to use prosthetics so it was crucial that every doorway and room have ample open space for Rusty to easily move about the home in his wheelchair. The spacious master bedroom adjoins a large bathroom with his (roll-up) and hers sink and a spacious roll-in shower equipped with bench and special shower head so Rusty can shower independently. One of Rusty's favorite hobbies is to cook so his chef's kitchen includes roll-up sink, stove, microwave,accessible cabinets, with a great island that can seat his whole family. All doors, lights, sound system, TV, security system, shades, heating and cooling are also automated. All outside spaces are all wheelchair accessible with six doors to the outside with seamless transition so that Rusty can get in and out of his home with ease.

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Tour The Dunagan Home

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Tour The Dunagan Home

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US Army (Ret) SFC Michael Schlitz Forston, GA

Injury: 85% of body burned and double amputee

Caregiver: Mother, Robbi Schlitz

Customizations: Mike's home has a separate suite for his mother with its own bath and kitchen. This provides Mike and Robbi individual privacy and space. To aid Mike's retinal injuries, lights throughout the house produce only a maximum of 85% brightness. For Mike's leg injuries and burns, the home is equipped with an elevator and two roll-in bathrooms on each level with urinals and touch cabinets. All blinds automatically open and close according to the position of the sun to prevent further aggravation of Mike's burns. The temperature is pre-programmed to manage his sensitivity to climate and the entire home is controlled via iPad.

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Tour The Schlitz Home

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Tour The Schlitz Home

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Community Matters

All across the country, R.I.S.E. is building local support for these heroes. By raising awareness in their communities and enlisting the grassroots efforts of local government and businesses, we’re helping to establish a sustainable network of long-term support for each hero.

From helping complete clean-up days on the specially adapted smart home construction sites to local fundraising and participation in dedication ceremonies, we always strive to involve the local communities in which our heroes will reside.

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Specially Adapted Smart Home Projects

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spec i a llya d a p t e dsmart home

1. Staten Island, NY2. Lake of the Ozarks, MO3. Fredericksburg, VA4. Temecula, CA5. Douglasville, GA6. Jefferson City, MO7. Averill Park, NY8. Newport, OH9. Tampa, FL10. Peters Township, PA11. San Antonio, TX12. Fortson, GA13. Manchester, ME14. Southern Pines, NC15. Jacksonville, AL

1. Woodbury, TN 2. Cedars Falls, IA3. Currituck, NC4. Tigard, OR5. Alexandria, VA6. San Diego, CA7. Stafford, VA8. Canyon Lake, TX9. Chapel Hill, NC10. Bethesda, MD11. Atlanta, GA12. Santa Rosa Beach, FL13. Gainesville, GA14. Carbondale, IL15. Canyon Lake, TX

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16. Ararat, VA17. Duluth, MN18. Edmond, OK19. Palmdale, CA20. Annapolis, MD21. Bethesda, MD22. Staten Island, NY23. Canyon Lake, TX24. Fallbrook, CA25. Fallbrook, CA26. Munford, TN27. Maple Hill, NC

Completed

16. Bakersfield, CA17. Lakeway, TX18. McKinney, TX19. Charleston, SC

Under Construction

1. US Army SGT Brendan MarroccoQuadruple amputee (double arm transplant)

Staten Island, NYCompleted: 2011Constructed prior to BFAB by T2T Foundation with additional Lt. Dan Band fundraising concerts donated and paid for by Gary Sinise

2. USMC Cpl. Todd NicelyQuadruple amputee

Lake of the Ozarks, MOCompleted: 2011Constructed prior to BFAB by T2T Foundation with additional Lt. Dan Band fundraising concerts donated and paid for by Gary Sinise

3. USMC Sgt. John PeckQuadruple amputee

Fredericksburg, VACompleted: 2012Constructed through BFAB / T2T & GSF

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4. USMC Cpl. Juan DominguezTriple amputee

Temecula, CACompleted: 2012Constructed through BFAB / T2T & GSF

5. USMC Cpl. Todd LoveTriple amputee

Douglasville, GACompleted: 2014Constructed through T2T / BFAB

6. USMC Cpl. Tyler HuffmanParalyzed

Jefferson City, MOCompleted: 2012Constructed through BFAB / T2T & GSF

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7. US Air Force TSgt Joe WilkinsonParalyzed

Averill Park, NYCompleted: 2012Constructed through BFAB / T2T & GSF

8. US Army SPC Kyle HockenberryTriple amputee

Newport, OHCompleted: 2014Constructed through GSF / BFAB

9. USMC Sgt. Michael NicholsonTriple amputee

Tampa, FLCompleted: 2014Constructed through GSF / BFAB

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10. USMC Cpl. Doug VitaleBilateral amputee, severe head injuries Peters Township, PACompleted: 2014Constructed through T2T / BFAB

11. Anonymous Hero90% of body burned and quadruple amputee San Antonio, TXCompleted: 2013Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

12. US Army (Ret) Sgt. First Class Michael Schlitz85% of body burned and double amputee

Fortson, GACompleted: 2014Constructed through GSF / BFAB

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13. US Army SSG Travis MillsQuadruple amputee

Manchester, MECompleted: 2014Constructed through GSF / BFAB

14. US Army MSG John MassonTriple amputee

Southern Pines, NCCompleted: 2014Constructed through GSF / BFAB

15. USMC Sgt. Ben TomlinsonParalyzed from the chest down

Jacksonville, ALCompleted: 2014Constructed through T2T / BFAB

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16. USMC Cpl. J.B. KernsTriple amputee

Ararat, VACompleted: 2014Constructed through GSF / BFAB

17. USMC Cpl. Mark LitynskiTriple amputee

Duluth, MNCompleted: 2015Constructed through GSF / BFAB

18. US Army Sgt. Rusty DunaganTriple amputee

Edmond, OKCompleted: 2015Constructed through GSF / BFAB

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20. US Army SGT Adam KeysTriple amputee

Annapolis, MDCompleted: 2015Constructed through T2T / BFAB

19. US Army SPC. Jerral HancockParalyzed-chest down, single amputee and 30% of body burned

Palmdale, CACompleted: 2015Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

21. US Army CPT Benjamin HarrowDouble amputee & severe hand injury

Bethesda, MDCompleted: 2015Constructed through GSF / BFAB

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22. US Army SPC Bryan DilberianTriple amputee

Staten Island, NYCompleted: 2015Constructed through T2T / BFAB

23. USMC GySgt. Travis GreenDouble amputee

Canyon Lake, TXCompleted: 2015Constructed through GSF / BFAB

24. USMC Staff Sgt. Jason RossDouble amputee

Fallbrook, CACompleted: 2015Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

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25. USMC Sgt. Nick KimmelTriple amputee

Fallbrook, CACompleted: 2015Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

26. USMC Cpl. Christian BrownDouble amputee

Munford, TNCompleted: 2016Constructed through GSF / BFAB

27. USMC SSgt. Thomas McRaeTriple amputee with severe brain and eye injuries

Maple Hill, NCCompleted: 2016Constructed through T2T / BFAB

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2. US Navy EOD Tech. Taylor MorrisQuadruple amputee

Cedar Falls, IABegin Construction: 2015Estimated Completion: 2016 Constructed through GSF / BFAB

3. US Army SGT Greg HedrickSingle amputee and severe hand injuries

Currituck, NCBegin Construction: 2016 / 2017Estimated Completion: 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

1. US Army SGT Franz WalkupPolytrauma

Woodbury, TNBegin Construction: 2015Estimated Completion: 2016Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

6. US Navy EOD1 Andrew BottrellTriple amputee

San Diego, CABegin Construction: 2015Estimated Completion: 2016Constructed through GSF / BFAB

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5. US Army SSG. Christopher WalkerTriple amputee

Alexandria, VABegin Construction: 2015Estimated Completion: 2016Constructed through GSF / BFAB

4. US Army SFC Wade MitcheltreeTriple amputee

Tigard, ORBegin Construction: 2016Estimated Completion: 2016 / 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

9. USMC Sgt. Michael FrazierDouble Amputee

Chapel Hill, NCBegin Construction: 2015Estimated Completion: 2016Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

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8. USMC GySgt. Guillermo TejadaDouble Amputee

Canyon Lake, TXBegin Construction: 2015Estimated Completion: 2016Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

7. USMC Corporal Garrett JonesSingle amputee, surgically replaced eardrums, severe shrapnel wounds to left arm

Stafford, VABegin Construction: 2016 / 2017Estimated Completion: 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

12. US Air Force Security Forces SrA Brian KolfageTriple amputee

Santa Rosa Beach, FLBegin Construction: 2015Estimated Completion: 2016Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

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11. US Army MSG Cedric KingDouble amputee

Atlanta, GABegin Construction: 2015Estimated Completion: 2016Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

10. US Army Captain Luis AvilaSingle Amputee with severe head injury

Bethesda, MDBegin Construction: 2015Estimated Completion: 2016Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

15. US Army SGT Lucas CifkaDouble amputee & severe hand injury

Canyon Lake, TXBegin Construction: 2016Estimated Completion: 2016 / 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

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14. US Army SFC Jared BullockDouble amputee

Carbondale, ILBegin Construction: 2016Estimated Completion: 2016 / 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

13. USMC Cpl. Sean AdamsDouble amputee & severe hand injuries

Gainesville, GABegin Construction: 2016Estimated Completion: 2016 / 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

18. US Air Force SrA Brandon ByersHigh left leg amputee with severe hand injuries

McKinney, TXBegin Construction: 2016 / 2017Estimated Completion: 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

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17. US Army Cpl. Alan Babin, Jr.Severe gunshot wound to the abdomen

Lakeway, TXBegin Construction: 2016 / 2017Estimated Completion: 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

16. USMC Cpl. Joshua BrubakerDouble amputee

Bakersfield, CABegin Construction: 2016 / 2017Estimated Completion: 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

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19. US Army SSG Robert DoveDouble amputee

Charleston, SCBegin Construction: 2016 / 2017Estimated Completion: 2017Constructed through GSF / R.I.S.E.

2014 Expenses Breakdown

Program Expenses88.5%

Administrative(8.6%)

Fundraising(2.9%)

Total expenses$12,325,737 Program (88.5%)$10,906,699 Administrative (8.6%)$1,055,779 Fundraising (2.9%)$363,259

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GSF Public Support & Revenue

in-kind donations

2010

$1,284,836

2011

$1,898,670

2012

$4,946,022

2014

$12,386,411

2014 FUNDRAISING GOAL

$16,001,310

TOTAL FUNDS RAISED

2013

$9,234,573

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"There's something about us saying to

some young guy who's given three

limbs or four limbs that we care about

you, we appreciate what you've gone

through for us. We all benefit from the

freedom that you provide by serving

our country and let us do something

for you. That's the least we can do."

–Gary Sinise

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last revised: May 20, 2016