Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

What Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors does

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is a national 501(c)(3) Veterans Service Organization founded in 1994 by Bonnie Carroll following the death of her husband, Brigadier General Tom Carroll, in a 1992 Army plane crash. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia with 101-250 employees, TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, casework, grief counseling connections, education support, and suicide loss postvention to surviving family members of U.S. military service members and veterans — including spouses, parents, children, siblings, and battle buddies across all branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, and National Guard). All services are provided free of charge, and in 2023 TAPS served 130,000 people, including a 16% surge in 24/7 helpline calls and a 12% spike in suicide-loss survivors.

TAPS's core technology comprises three integrated components: a 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline (800-959-TAPS) staffed by trained survivor peer professionals; the TAPS Connected online survivor portal for resource access, event registration, and community; and the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing, a training and education arm for bereavement professionals. The organization's intellectual property is anchored in field-defining clinical frameworks — most notably the TAPS Suicide Postvention Model (published in Death Studies) and the Reciprocal Peer Support Model, endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association and the Department of Defense. The product portfolio spans Survivor Care Team outreach, Casework Assistance (Lockheed Martin-sponsored), Education Support Services, Caregiver to Survivor programming, retreats and expeditions, sports and entertainment initiatives (teams4taps, stars4taps across 200+ partner teams), and a separately registered TAPS International subsidiary serving families in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and additional conflict-affected regions.

TAPS operates as a donor-supported nonprofit with revenue drawn from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (USAA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Dignity Memorial, Centene, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, Folds of Honor Foundation, Giant Food), and operating partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs. Distribution is delivered through direct service channels (helpline, seminars, retreats), TAPS Connected online platform, and channel partner referral pipelines via casualty offices of all six military branches plus the National Guard Bureau. The organization maintains top nonprofit transparency ratings (Great Nonprofits 4-star, GuideStar Platinum, Best in America 2024) and has influenced major federal legislation including the PACT Act of 2022 and elimination of the Widow's Tax. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed in the source data.

Name

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

Legal name

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc.

Website

https://taps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

TAPS is a 501(c)(3) Veterans Service Organization that provides free 24/7 peer-based emotional support, casework, education assistance, and suicide postvention to surviving family members of U.S. military and veteran service members across all branches. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, it served 130,000 survivors in 2023 and operates programs domestically and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Bereavement Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bereavement & Grief Support Services (Hospice-Affiliated/Independent) (HLADAHAL), Disaster Behavioral Health & Psychosocial Support (HLAJAGAM), End-of-Life Emotional & Spiritual Support (Chaplaincy/Counseling) In-Home (HSABAFAH)

Keywords

• Bereavement support services
• Military survivor care
• Grief counseling programs
• Veteran family support
• Peer support networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: TAPS relies on individual donations from the public to support surviving military families. Donations can be made online through their website or by mail.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors like USAA, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Dignity Memorial sponsor events (Honor Guard Gala), programs, and operations.
3. Government Partnerships: TAPS works closely with Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs, though explicitly states it is not part of or endorsed by the Department of Defense.
4. Charity Ratings and Transparency: TAPS maintains top nonprofit ratings (Great Nonprofits, Guide Star Platinum, Best In America) to attract donor confidence and charitable contributions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, casework assistance, and grief resources to family members grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one. Services are delivered free of charge through a 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, Survivor Care Team outreach, national and regional seminars, peer mentor programs, education support, suicide postvention, and advocacy on survivor benefits and policy.

Product overview

TAPS provides a comprehensive suite of grief support programs and services for military and veteran survivors through a single integrated approach. The core offerings include the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, Survivor Care Team outreach, Casework Assistance for benefits navigation, Education Support Services, Suicide Loss Support with the TAPS Suicide Postvention Model, Grief Counseling referrals, and the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing for professional education. Additional programs include Youth Programs (Good Grief Camp), Peer Mentor Program, Sports and Entertainment Programs (teams4taps, stars4taps), Online Community, Care Groups, Survivor Seminars, and specialized programs for Young Adults, Men's Program, and Women's Empowerment. TAPS International extends these services globally to coalition partner families. All services are provided free of charge to surviving families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TAPS 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline 24/7 toll-free helpline (800-959-TAPS) providing emotional support, crisis intervention, and connection to TAPS resources for military survivors.
• Survivor Care Team Peer professional staff who provide personalized outreach and support to newly bereaved military family members, connecting them with TAPS resources and care.
• Casework Assistance Assistance resolving issues on burial, benefits, records and paperwork, with connections to government agencies and third-party resources for healthcare, financial hardships, and legal matters.
• Education Support Services Guide to scholarship information and benefits resources for military survivors, helping explain benefits, align resources and education goals, and provide talking points for schools.
• Suicide Loss Support Specialized support for survivors of military suicide loss, including peer mentorship, online communities, and the TAPS Suicide Postvention Model for immediate stabilization and healing.
• Caregiver to Survivor Program Support for bereaved caregivers who have lost military or veteran loved ones, addressing the unique journey of this growing population.
• TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing Training and education center for bereavement professionals, providing workshops, seminars, and webinars on grief support best practices.
• Survivor Seminars National Military Survivor Seminar held annually in Washington D.C. over Memorial Day weekend, and regional survivor seminars across the country.
• Youth Programs Age-appropriate grief support for children and teens including Good Grief Camp, family camps, and retreats.
• Peer Mentor Program Volunteer peer mentors who have experienced similar loss provide one-on-one support and companionship to grieving survivors.
• TAPS International Global expansion of TAPS peer-based emotional support to surviving families of coalition partners worldwide, with programs in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other conflict regions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130,000 people served in 2023 with 9% increase in demand
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• USAAflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 February 2026USAA is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2026 TAPS Honor Guard Gala to be held on March 17, 2026, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The event celebrates Families of America's Fallen Heroes and unites military and congressional figures.
• Lockheed MartincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLockheed Martin sponsors TAPS Casework Assistance Program, providing support for survivors navigating benefits, burial, and government systems. Also supports suicide prevention and postvention programs.
• BoeingflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBoeing serves as the Founding Partner for the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing, supporting professional education and training in bereavement care.
• Dignity MemorialcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDignity Memorial sponsors TAPS Survivor Care Team and programs, supporting the peer-based outreach and care for grieving military families.
• Centene CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCentene sponsors TAPS Suicide Prevention and Postvention programs, supporting military families grieving suicide loss.
• Home Base Veteran and Family CarecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHome Base sponsors TAPS Suicide Prevention and Postvention programs, supporting military and veteran suicide loss survivors.
• Johnny Mac Soldiers FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJohnny Mac sponsors TAPS Education Support Services, helping military survivor children access college funding and scholarships.
• Folds of Honor Foundation (Fallen Patriots)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFolds of Honor Foundation partners with TAPS Education Support Services to provide scholarship opportunities for military survivor children.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation (Hidden Heroes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes initiative connects military caregivers to community support, local events, and resources. TAPS participates in supporting caregiver survivors through this partnership.
• American Red Cross (Military and Veteran Caregiver Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Military and Veteran Caregiver Network with the American Red Cross is an official partner of TAPS, connecting caregivers and survivors with peer support and resources.
• United Services Organization (USO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSO partners with TAPS Survivor Care Team to support military families and connect survivors with resources.
• Giant FoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGiant Food sponsors TAPS Survivor Care Team programs, supporting military survivor families.
• U.S. Department of DefenseflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAPS is recognized by DoD as the authoritative expert in military grief, bereavement, trauma, and suicide postvention. TAPS provides guidance to military casualty offices and is cited in DoD publications for survivor support.
• U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAPS is recognized by VA as the authoritative expert in military grief. TAPS assists survivors with VA benefits claims including PACT Act, and advocates for policy improvements affecting veteran survivors.
• U.S. Army Casualty and Mortuary AffairscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAPS partners with Army casualty offices to connect surviving Army families with peer support and grief resources. Contact: [email protected].
• U.S. Navy Casualty SupportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAPS partners with Navy casualty offices to connect surviving Navy families with peer support and grief resources. Contact: [email protected].
• U.S. Marine Corps Casualty AssistancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAPS partners with Marine Corps casualty offices to connect surviving Marine families with peer support and grief resources. Contact: [email protected].
• U.S. Air Force and Space Force CasualtycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAPS partners with Air Force and Space Force casualty offices to connect surviving families with peer support and grief resources. Contact: [email protected].
• U.S. Coast Guard CasualtycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAPS partners with Coast Guard casualty offices through the Gold Star Program to connect surviving families with peer support. Contact: [email protected].
• National Guard BureaucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAPS partners with National Guard Bureau casualty offices to connect Guard and Reserve families with peer support and grief resources. Contact: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected].
• TEAM Coalition (Toxic Exposure in the American Military)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAPS is co-chair of the TEAM Coalition working to ensure proper implementation of the PACT Act for veterans and survivors affected by toxic exposures.
• TAPS UkraineflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAPS International supports TAPS Ukraine and families affected by the Russian invasion, providing supplies and support for families of military deceased in Ukraine.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United Service Organizations (USO): Large, long-established nonprofit serving active-duty service members and military families globally. Direct partner with TAPS (per data), and a broader incumbent that overlaps with TAPS on military-family programming though focused on active-duty versus bereaved populations.
• American Red Cross: Major humanitarian organization with a Military and Veteran Caregiver Network that directly partners with TAPS. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating overlapping military-family support and emergency assistance programs.

Direct peers

• Gary Sinise Foundation: Major veteran-serving nonprofit supporting wounded veterans, first responders, and military families. Peer to TAPS through shared high-profile entertainment/sports programming (e.g., teams4taps) and donor-driven military-family funding model.
• Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation: Provides college scholarships and educational support to children of military service members who died. Direct peer to TAPS' Education Support Services and youth programs for surviving military children, with similar donor base.
• Hope For The Warriors: National nonprofit serving post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families with comprehensive wellness and family support programs. Comparable to TAPS in mission, funding model, and military-family target population.
• Fisher House Foundation: National nonprofit providing free lodging and support to military and veteran families during hospitalization. Comparable to TAPS as a peer military-family-focused nonprofit with strong DoD/VA integration and free-of-charge service delivery.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large national 501(c)(3) serving post-9/11 wounded veterans and their families with comprehensive programming. Highly comparable to TAPS as a peer military-family-focused nonprofit operating free-of-charge programs, although focused on wounded rather than bereaved.
• Gold Star Wives of America: Long-standing national organization supporting surviving spouses of fallen military service members. Direct peer to TAPS' military-survivor peer-support mission with overlapping advocacy focus on Widow's Tax and survivor benefits.

Emerging players

• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): Post-9/11 veteran advocacy and support nonprofit with overlap on policy advocacy and family support. Adjacent peer to TAPS on veteran-survivor policy and government-affairs functions rather than bereavement specifically.

Regional players

• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Ukraine (TAPS Ukraine): Geographic arm of TAPS' own international program supporting Ukrainian military-survivor families. Included as a regional peer for completeness given TAPS International is a discrete operational unit serving a non-U.S. beneficiary population with the same model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tapsorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/TAPSorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tragedy-assistance-program-for-survivors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors