irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $435KRANGER AND FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS: WITH CONSECUTIVE DEPLOYMENTS SINCE THE START OF THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM, THE PRESERVATION OF THIS EXTREMELY PRESSURED FORCE IS A NECESSITY. WHEN A RANGER IS DEPLOYED, SO IS HIS FAMILY. THE LONG SEPARATIONS CAN BE CHALLENGING AND STRENUOUS ON THE FAMILY UNIT. FAMILY READINESS GROUPS (FRGS), CONSISTING OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATED WITH A PARTICULAR UNIT, ACT AS FIRST RESPONDERS THAT SERVE TO ENHANCE THE WELL-BEING, MORALE, AND ESPRIT DE CORP OF THE UNIT. THROUGH OUR RANGER AND FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM, WE PROVIDE THE FRGS IN THE REGIMENT WITH GRANTS TO PAY FOR THESE ALL-IMPORTANT FAMILY MORALE-BOOSTING ACTIVITIES. LTWF UNDERSTANDS THE STRAIN AND STRESS THE FAMILIES OF THIS ELITE FORCE ENDURE; CONSERVATION OF THE FAMILY UNIT IS PARAMOUNT FOR THE MORALE AND FOCUS OF OUR RANGERS. WHEN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE HAPPENS, LTWF WILL PROVIDE FUNDS TO GET FRG "FIRST RESPONDERS" TO THE SIDE OF THE RANGER WIFE AND FAMILY DURING THE ARDUOUS BURIAL PROCESS. ARMY RANGER LEAD THE WAY FUND SUPPORTS MORAL FUNCTION GRANTS FOR ALL-IMPORTANT PRE- AND POST-DEPLOYMENT MORALE-BOOSTING ACTIVITIES. DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, LTWF PROVIDES GIFT CARDS TO OUR MORE JUNIOR NCO RANGER FAMILIES, DETERMINED BY COMMAND, WHO ARE MOST IN NEED AND UNDER FINANCIAL STRAIN DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
- #2 $95KGOLD STAR PROGRAM: WHEN A RANGER HAS PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, WHETHER, IN COMBAT OR TRAINING, ARMY RANGER LEAD THE WAY FUND BELIEVES THERE IS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT THE DEPENDENTS OF THESE HEROES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM WE CAN HONOR AND MEMORIALIZE DECEASED RANGERS AND THEIR GOLD STAR FAMILIES. TO EDUCATE AND BRING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF GOLD STAR FAMILIES AND THE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ALL ARMY RANGERS THROUGH THE LEAD THE WAY FUND ORGANIZATION.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Gold Star Program
Supports dependents of Rangers who died in combat or training; promotes public awareness and education about Gold Star families' needs
Ranger Chaplain Special Programs
Funds chaplain-led marriage retreats, date nights, single Ranger retreats, and Bible studies with childcare support
Ranger and Family Health and Wellness Program
Provides grants to Family Readiness Groups for morale-boosting activities, holiday gift cards for junior NCO families, and emergency support during deployments or casualties
activities · 9 groups
What they do
-
Financial and Emotional Support for Bereaved Families 2 activities
- Financial assistance and home maintenance for Gold Star familiesProvides emergency home maintenance and repair assistance—including furnace, window, and appliance replacements—for families of U.S. Army Rangers who have died in combat or training. Also provides memorialization, public awareness, and educational outreach to support Gold Star families.
- Specialty therapeutic and childcare services for dependents of fallen RangersProvides access to specialty therapeutic services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and emotional therapy not covered by TriCare for dependents of fallen U.S. Army Rangers. Also offers daycare assistance and summer camp support for children of deceased Rangers.
-
-
Home Accessibility Modifications 1 activity
- Adaptive housing and medical equipment support for severely injured RangersSupports severely injured Rangers with modified vehicles, in-home therapy rooms, EXOSYM orthotic devices, and builds or modifies adaptive, mortgage-free smart homes known as “Homes That Heal” to support long-term recovery and independence.
-
-
Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 1 activity
- Chaplain-led family and single Ranger retreats and spiritual eventsOrganizes marriage retreats, date nights, single Ranger retreats with outdoor activities, Bible studies, and spiritual growth events led by Ranger Chaplains and their spouses to support relationship training, stress management, and spiritual development for Rangers and their families.
-
-
Law Enforcement Family Crisis Support 1 activity
- Financial and emergency support for wounded, ill, or injured Rangers and their familiesProvides a $5,000 immediate casualty assistance grant to wounded, ill, or injured Rangers and their Primary Next of Kin, and covers travel, accommodations, child care, and essential living expenses to enable families to remain at the bedside during recovery. Additional support includes extended rehabilitation assistance, access to EXOS intensive physical therapy, and travel for support teams.
-
-
College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Higher education support for transitioning RangersProvides tools, resources, test preparation, application and essay editing, travel reimbursement, academic and housing support, scholarship access, and career connections through the Collegiate Access Program (CAP) and Graduate Access Program (GAP) to support transitioning Rangers pursuing undergraduate and graduate education.
-
-
Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Holiday financial assistance for Ranger familiesDistributes $300 Walmart gift cards to junior enlisted personnel (E6 and below), Target gift cards to children, and supports battalion and company Christmas parties to reduce financial strain during the holiday season.
-
-
Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Recreational stress management events for RangersHosts paintball and climbing events designed to help Rangers manage stress, build camaraderie, and support mental well-being.
-
-
Veteran Benefits and Reintegration Support 1 activity
- Workforce and career mentorship through Ranger Activation & Mentor Program (RAMP)Operates the Ranger Activation & Mentor Program (RAMP), which connects transitioning and transitioned 75th Ranger Regiment veterans with mentors to support career development, federal employment, education admissions, entrepreneurship, and tradesmanship.
-
-
Uncategorized 3 activities
- Family morale and cohesion programs during deploymentsSupports Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) with funding and resources for morale-boosting events such as pre- and post-deployment gatherings, private movie screenings, bowling events, Battalion Anniversary Parties, and care packages sent to deployed Rangers.
- Family support events and trainingHosts Father-Daughter Dinner Dances with training on coping during deployment, Ladies Day Out events for spouses and children, and provides communication and awareness training to strengthen support networks and cohesion among Ranger families.
- Funding for Family Readiness Groups and chaplain-led programsAwards bi-annual grants to Family Readiness Groups in all companies and battalions of the 75th Ranger Regiment and funds chaplain-led programs including marriage retreats, single Ranger retreats, Bible studies, and childcare support. Also provides funding for FRG "first responders" to support bereaved families during burial proceedings.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.60M
Contributions & grants$996K62%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$687K43%
Other revenue$-85K
expenses
Total expenses$1.38M
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead31%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$447K
Grants paid out$575K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$16.91M
Cash$279K
Investments$14.97M
Liabilities$267K
Net assets$16.64M
Liquid reserves132.6 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +14.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY REGAN | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $92K |
board members · 8
- BRENDAN MCCORMICK — DIRECTOR
- DR MARY MCHUGH — DIRECTOR
- HON BARBARA DONNO — SECRETARY
- JAMES P REGAN — CHAIRMAN & CEO
- JAMIE BRODSKY — DIRECTOR
- LORI CURRIER — TREASURER
- TIMOTHY DURNAN — DIRECTOR
- WALKER GORHAM — DIRECTOR
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- 75th Ranger Regiment Partner — Primary beneficiary of support; organization serves members and families of the regiment.
- 75th Ranger Regiment Partner — Primary beneficiary unit supported through family wellness and morale programs.
- Cohen Veterans Network Partner — Mental health service provider for Veterans, listed as a resource by Lead the Way Fund
- Department of Veterans Affairs Government — Referenced as a key provider of VA health care and benefits, with which Lead the Way Fund directs families to engage
- Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) Partner — Receives grant funding from LTWF to conduct family wellness and morale-boosting activities for Army Rangers and their families.
- Ranger Chaplains Partner — Collaborates with Ranger Chaplains to deliver spiritual, emotional, and relational support programs for Rangers and their families.
- Ranger Chaplains Partner — Receives enrichment grants from LTWF to run spiritual and emotional well-being programs for Rangers and their families.
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Partner — Support program for military survivors, listed as a resource for Ranger families by Lead the Way Fund
- U.S. Army Ranger battalions Partner — Collaborates with education counselors at each battalion to support transitioning Rangers' access to education.
- USSOCOM Warrior Care Program Partner — Collaborates with the Lead the Way Fund to support financial needs of Rangers and families
- USSOCOM Warrior Care Program Partner — Collaborates with the organization on assistance programs for wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Forces.
- Unit Command Partner — Collaborates with the Lead the Way Fund to support financial needs of Rangers and families
- Unit Command Partner — Works with unit-level military leadership to identify and support Rangers and families in need.
- United States Special Operations Command Warrior Care Program Partner — Collaborates with LTWF on the identification and support of severely wounded Rangers throughout recovery.
- Veterans Crisis Line Partner — Provides confidential suicide prevention support for Veterans and their families; referenced as a resource by Lead the Way Fund
- Warrior Scholar Program Partner — Collaborates with the Warrior Scholar Program to support transitioning Rangers, including travel and expense reimbursement following its completion.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Comprehensive Care Coordination with Military Unitsmethodology: comprehensive_care_coordinationBy partnering directly with military care programs and unit command structures, the organization ensures seamless support across medical, financial, and emotional domains, because integrated coordination prevents service gaps and strengthens trust among Rangers and families.
- Family Stability as Force Multipliermethodology: family_support_as_force_multiplierBy supporting Ranger families through financial, emotional, and relational services, the organization enhances Ranger morale and operational readiness, because stable family units reduce psychological strain on service members during deployment and transition.
- Peer-Led Reintegration Modelmethodology: peer_mentorshipBy connecting transitioning Rangers with peers who have successfully navigated civilian life, the organization increases engagement and success in reintegration, because shared experience builds trust and relatability that formal programs alone cannot achieve.
- Skill Translation for Civilian Integrationmethodology: skills_translationBy helping Rangers translate military skills into civilian education and career contexts, the organization increases successful transitions, because recognition of existing competencies improves confidence, employability, and academic placement.