TIO Project

What TIO Project does

Tactical Information Outreach Project (TIO-P) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2024 and headquartered under Texas governing law, dedicated to supporting U.S. Navy Tactical Information Operations (TIO) cryptologists, both currently serving and veterans. The organization operates through four programmatic Lines of Effort: Benevolence (medical, therapeutic, and funerary support), Advocacy (education, networking, and representation on enduring issues), Community (mentorship, memorial workouts, seminars, fundraisers, and an annual retreat), and Legacy (preservation of TIO history, pictures, stories, and honoring the fallen). It explicitly disclaims any affiliation with the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Navy, or any governmental body, and is registered as a non-federal entity under EIN 99-3141352.

TIO-P delivers its mission through three primary commercial vectors: a membership program (Order of the Black Shield for veterans/service members and Friends & Family tier), an e-commerce merchandise storefront (apparel, challenge coins, tactical gear, patches, flags, and specialty items such as a $160 3D-printed LED wall light), and event-based fundraising (brewery partnerships, corn hole tournaments, plaque dedications, mileage events, and the annual retreat). The organization runs a monthly "Listen Up" audio newscast published on the 21st of each month and operates an email newsletter, a website content hub (tio-p.org), and event scheduling via Luma. Donations are processed through GiveButter and merchandise through its own Squarespace-hosted shop with a secondary Bonfire print-on-demand channel.

The organization is governed by an entirely volunteer board of directors — including Executive Director Cam Kovarek, Deputy Director Nick Nowlin, Community Director Mario Lopez, Director of Communications Alex Orozco, and Fundraising Director Dave Key — all of whom serve without compensation, minimizing overhead. Revenue streams consist of tax-deductible donations, annual membership dues, merchandise sales (e.g., $27-$37 shirts, $35 hats, $12 coins, $89 tactical backpacks), and event-driven contributions from partner venues. TIO-P serves a highly niche, specialized community, positioning itself as the only dedicated support organization specifically for Navy TIO cryptologists.

Name

TIO Project

Legal name

Tactical Information Outreach Project

Website

https://tio-p.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TIO Project (Tactical Information Outreach Project) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2024 that supports U.S. Navy Tactical Information Operations cryptologists and veterans through benevolence, advocacy, community, and legacy programs, funded via donations, memberships, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Support Services

NAICS

Administration of Veterans' Affairs (92314)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disaster Response & Search and Rescue (SAR) (BPADADAA)

Keywords

• Veteran support services
• Nonprofit membership programs
• Military benevolence assistance
• Community fundraising events
• Branded merchandise sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Anna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting TIO veterans. The organization is a 501(c)(3) with EIN 99-3141352. Donations are processed via GiveButter platform.
2. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including shirts ($27-$37), hats ($35), coins ($12), patches, tactical backpacks ($89), flags, wall lights ($160), and lapel pins. Orders processed and shipped weekly.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for Order of the Black Shield (veteran/service member tier) and Friends & Family tiers. Members receive coins, membership cards, invitations to events, newsletter access, and early event registration.
4. Event-Based Fundraising: Community fundraising events at venues like Wasserhund Brewing Company, where percentage of revenue is donated. Includes West Coast fundraisers, corn hole tournaments, and memorial events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TIO Project (Tactical Information Outreach Project) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides benevolence, advocacy, community, and legacy support programs to U.S. Navy Tactical Information Operations (TIO) cryptologists and their families. Its core paid offerings are two annual membership tiers — Order of the Black Shield (for veterans and active duty service members) and Friends & Family (for supporters) — complemented by a merchandise storefront (apparel, challenge coins, patches, tactical gear, flags, wall lights) and recurring fundraising events that fund the benevolence program.

Product overview

TIO Project (Tactical Information Outreach Project) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2024 dedicated to supporting U.S. Navy veteran and active duty cryptologists in the Tactical Information Operations (TIO) program. The organization operates a unified platform combining membership services, merchandise sales, and support programs. Core offerings include the Order of the Black Shield Membership program for TIO veterans and the Friends & Family Membership for supporters, which provide access to events, newsletters, and community resources. The organization also offers four programmatic support services: Benevolence (covering medical, therapeutic, and funerary needs), Advocacy (education and representation), Community (mentorship and events), and Legacy (historical preservation). The merchandise store features branded items including apparel (TIO-P Creed Shirt, Flagship T-Shirt, Sport-Tek Polos, Hats), challenge coins (TIO-P Black Shield Coins v1 and v2), accessories (Enamel Lapel Pins, TIO Flag, Black Shield Patches, Stickers), and specialty items (TIO Shield Wall Light, Customized Pecos Tactical Backpack, Engraved Stash Tins). The Listen Up Newscast provides monthly community updates. All directors and officers serve as unpaid volunteers, with all proceeds supporting benevolence, community, advocacy, and legacy initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Order of the Black Shield Membership Annual membership for TIO veterans and active duty service members providing a TIO-P coin, membership card (including metal card for Plank Owners), invitations to members-only events such as the annual retreat, early notification for fundraisers and memorial events, and a monthly newsletter with veteran recruitment listings.
• Friends & Family Membership Annual membership tier for friends and family of TIO service members providing a membership card, early notification for events and fundraisers, and monthly newsletter access.
• Benevolence Program Direct support program for TIO service members covering needs not met by the military or other veteran services, including medical care, therapeutics, and funerary support. Recent examples include housing cost coverage after Hurricane Ian (2024) and emergency flight booking for a family medical emergency (2025).
• Advocacy Program Educational, networking, and representational support for TIO service members on enduring issues, providing resources TIO service members would otherwise lack to advocate for themselves.
• Community Program Community connection initiatives including mentorship, memorial workouts, veteran recruitment, seminars, fundraisers, and an annual retreat to keep TIO service members connected across deployments and generations.
• Legacy Program Heritage preservation initiative maintaining TIO program history through pictures and stories (The Archive), a recommended reading collection (The Library), and recognition of fallen members and their families.
• Listen Up Newscast Monthly digital audio newscast covering TIO-P activities and community news, published on the 21st of each month.
• TIO-P Creed Shirt Unisex tri-blend t-shirt (50% polyester, 25% combed ring-spun cotton, 25% rayon; pre-shrunk) featuring the TIO-P creed. Available in charcoal, tan, and white. Priced at $27 sale / $30 original.
• TIO Shield Wall Light Custom 3D printed backlit LED wall display (approximately 15" H x 12" W) featuring the TIO shield design. Pre-order item priced at $160.
• Sport-Tek Micropique Sport-Wick Polo Performance polo with moisture-wicking Sport-Wick technology, double-stitch durability, and customization-ready design. Available in multiple sizes. Priced at $37.
• TIO-P Black Shield Challenge Coin Enamel challenge coin featuring the TIO-P Black Shield design. Multiple generations available including the v2 with updated shiny design. Priced at $12 per coin.
• TIO-P Dashboard Hat Legacy dashboard hat made from recycled materials. Available in gray and blue colors. Priced at $35.
• TIO-P Hat TIO-P branded hat available in black camo and green camo patterns.
• Flagship T-Shirt Flagship branded t-shirt available in black, gray, and brown color options.
• TIO Project Enamel Lapel Pin Enamel lapel pin featuring TIO community logos, available in OG TIO Shield and TIO-P Shield variants.
• Customized Pecos Tactical Backpack Military-grade tactical backpack customized with TIO branding, featuring MOLLE webbing, hydration compatibility, concealed carry pockets, and water-resistant 900 denier polyester or MultiCam fabric. Available in black or coyote. Priced at $89 (donated by Flying Circle Gear sponsorship).
• Engraved Stash Tin Engraved custom stash tin available with OG TIO Shield v2 or TIO-P Black Shield designs.
• OG TIO Patch Original TIO design patch available in Type II and Type III variants for display and customization.
• Black Shield Patch TIO-P Black Shield logo patch for display and customization.
• Black Shield Sticker Black Shield logo sticker available in Lil' Guy (3 inch) and Big Un (5 inch) sizes.
• TIO Flag TIO community flag featuring the organization emblem.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hurricane disaster relief: covered housing costs for displaced family
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Wasserhund Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 August 2024Host venue for TIO Project Fundraiser on August 14, 2024. Donated 25% of taproom revenue from 5-10pm to support TIO-P benevolence, community, advocacy, and legacy initiatives. Located at 510 Belaire Avenue, Chesapeake, VA 23320.
• Flying Circle GearminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Donated and discounted Customized Pecos Tactical Backpacks as fundraiser items. Flying Circle Gear is a tactical gear company featuring products in Shooting Illustrated, Shooting Industry, and Carolinas Today. Their generous sponsorship enabled TIO-P to offer limited edition bags below list price.
• TF-7294 FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Affiliate organization listed on TIO-P Get Involved page as a partner supporting TIO service members.
• Squirrel Saloon Trading Company LLCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Affiliate partner listed on Get Involved page supporting TIO service members through the organization's mission.
• Adam Enick TravelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Travel partner affiliated with TIO-P, providing services that may support member travel needs for events and reunions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Special Operations Warrior Foundation: SOWF supports the children of fallen and severely wounded special operations personnel, including Naval Special Warfare. Comparable as a SOF-community nonprofit serving an under-recognized beneficiary pool with benevolence and legacy components.
• Wounded Warrior Project: WWP is a large-scale veteran support nonprofit offering physical/mental health programs, employment assistance, and advocacy. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) veteran support organization competing for the same donor dollars, though vastly larger and broader in scope.
• Navy SEAL Foundation: The Navy SEAL Foundation is a major 501(c)(3) providing benevolence, advocacy, community, and legacy programs to Naval Special Warfare — including TIO-adjacent communities like SRT-1/SRT-2/NSWDG. Most directly comparable peer due to overlapping beneficiary identity (Navy SOF support), four-pillar mission model, and reliance on donations/events.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): IAVA is a major post-9/11 veteran advocacy and support organization. Comparable on advocacy/community Lines of Effort and on the membership-driven nonprofit model, though broader in scope and larger in donor base.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): DAV is a long-established congressionally chartered veteran service organization providing benefits assistance and advocacy. Comparable on the benevolence and benefits-administration function, particularly for medical and disability-related support.
• Travis Manion Foundation: TMF focuses on character development and veteran community engagement inspired by a fallen Naval officer. Comparable on veteran-led community building, memorial events, and mentorship-style programming, though with a broader veteran constituency.

Direct peers

• Team Rubicon: Team Rubicon is a veteran-led 501(c)(3) that mobilizes military veterans to respond to disasters (hurricanes, wildfires). Directly comparable on the disaster-relief beneficiary dimension (TIO-P's Hurricane Ian case work) and on veteran-led nonprofit structure, though it operates at much greater scale.
• Boot Campaign: Boot Campaign is a veteran support nonprofit combining direct-to-consumer apparel/merchandise with donations that fund veteran programs. Closely comparable GTM motion (merchandise + donations + community events) and nonprofit structure, with a broader veteran constituency.

Others

• SOCOM Warrior Care Program (Coalition for Soldier & Family Readiness): U.S. Special Operations Command's Warrior Care Program provides support to wounded, ill, or injured SOF personnel and families. Comparable on the special-operations family support mission, though it is the official government program that TIO-P explicitly disclaims affiliation with.
• Grunt Style Foundation: Grunt Style is a veteran-owned apparel brand that operates a foundation supporting veteran causes. Comparable on the merchandise-driven nonprofit support model, branded apparel SKUs, and military-community GTM, though it is a for-profit apparel company rather than a 501(c)(3).

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/cam-k-986b8530b
• Xx.com/tio_project
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TIO Project