USO
Runs centers and programs that support service members and their families at home and abroad.
At a glance
Rating and filings checked Oct 13, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check
Is USO a good charity?
USO holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 92%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $163.5M in revenue, up 11% from $147.8M in 2019, and $159.8M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 13, 2026.
Finances
From USO's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as United Service Organizations Inc).
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Officer & key staff pay | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $163.5M | $159.8M | $102.3M | $2.9M | 990 PDF |
| 2022 | $154.4M | $166.6M | $95.7M | $2.9M | |
| 2021 | $178.4M | $162.0M | $108.9M | $2.9M | 990 PDF |
| 2020 | $158.1M | $149.6M | $93.0M | $3.5M | |
| 2019 | $147.8M | $155.6M | $84.9M | $2.7M | 990 PDF |
A newer filing for 2024 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2024 Form 990 (PDF).
Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.
What charities in veterans affairs do
Veterans-services organizations operate across mental health, housing, employment, healthcare access, family support, and benefits navigation. The strongest combine direct services with advocacy for systemic improvements in VA healthcare and disability benefits. Funding supports counselors, case managers, housing-assistance staff, employment specialists, and family-support programs. Many work closely with the VA but provide services the VA cannot or does not deliver well.
How to judge charities in this area
Look for outcomes: housing stability, employment retention, mental-health treatment completion rates. Veterans-services scandals have been recurring, so transparency matters — check Charity Navigator scores and Form 990 data carefully. Strong organizations track veterans served for 6+ months post-engagement, not just one-time intakes.
How to support beyond a one-time gift
- + Monthly recurring gifts sustain long-term mental-health treatment and case-management relationships
- + Hire veterans if you run a business — veterans unemployment is solvable through employer commitment
- + Volunteer with peer-support programs (veterans are often the most effective counselors for other veterans)
- + Advocate for stronger VA funding and benefits at the federal level
- + Donate to research organizations working on PTSD treatment and combat-injury rehabilitation
Verify before you give
A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on USO:
Frequently asked
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