Gary Sinise Foundation
The Gary Sinise Foundation is a charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military. It operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Among its programs is the construction of specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans that are provided mortgage-free. From 2011 to 2021 the Gary Sinise Foundation has raised over $300 million for wounded veterans, first responders, and their families.
The organization was founded in 2011 by actor Gary Sinise. The foundation serves all branches of the military at U.S. installations domestically and abroad.
As of April 2024, the Gary Sinise Foundation has built 94 specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded heroes, served more than 1,000,000 meals to serving servicemen across the country, and organised around 500 support concerts for serving servicemen sponsored by the foundation.
The organization also sponsors educational trips and outreach for students and veterans.
History
Having grown up in a family of veterans, Sinise has been involved with supporting military veterans going back as early as the 1970s. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Sinise became more actively involved in supporting the military.In 2004, Sinise started the Gary Sinise & the Lieutenant Dan Band a cover band that has played over 500 shows around the world, visiting active-duty soldiers including Iraq and Afghanistan. The band has also performed for members of the military and their families to entertain troops and raise money for disabled veterans.
On April 26, 2022, the foundation announced its headquarters would move from Los Angeles, California, to Franklin, Tennessee, in the mid-year.
In the year 2024, the Foundation reported total revenues, gains, and other support amounting to $86,027,376, while total functional expenses were recorded at $76,162,960.
On September 18, 2025, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and foundation representatives presented a total of more than $100,000 in equipment grants to local departments for responders in the Pittsburgh area.
In November 2025, the foundation reached an milestone by constructing its 100th specially adapted, mortgage-free home for a wounded veteran. This home was donated to retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Joe Bowser through the foundation's R.I.S.E. program. The foundation constructed 12 more smart homes as part of the R.I.S.E. program, with a total budgeted cost of approximately $12.605 million.