American Gold Star Mothers

What American Gold Star Mothers does

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. (AGSM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Veterans Service Organization founded on June 4, 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold in Washington, D.C., and granted a Congressional Charter by the Ninety-Eighth Congress on June 12, 1984. The organization's mission is to support mothers — and by extension families — who have lost a son or daughter in U.S. military service, while also serving veterans, active duty military, and their families through volunteer-driven programs delivered across more than 140 chapters nationwide. Service offerings include fellowship and grief support, VA hospital visits, Fisher House and AFRH volunteering, holiday card and care package campaigns, participation in Wreaths Across America and national ceremonies, and direct financial assistance through the American Gold Star Manor Housing Assistance Grant (up to $5,000 per recipient) and the Chapter Grant program (up to five awards of $400 per quarter).

AGSM's product surface is non-software: there is no proprietary technology platform, no app, and no AI/ML capability disclosed. The organization runs on a Weebly-hosted public website, accepts donations via PayPal, and uses JotForm for applications. Revenue is generated through a diversified set of modest streams including annual national membership dues ($40 per member), convention registration ($150-$175 per attendee), banquet tickets ($75-$80), merchandise sales through the AGSM Store and partner vendors (pins, jewelry, apparel, coins, flags, decals, mugs), publication sales (e.g., The History of Gold Star Mothers in America at $25), and voluntary contributions. The headquarters operates without any full-time paid staff; all national-level work is performed by elected volunteer National Executive Board members. Annual flagship events include the rotating-location National Convention (88th in 2025, 89th scheduled for June 2026 in Tampa, FL) and the Washington, DC-based Gold Star Weekend, supplemented by a calendar of partner events and ceremonial observances.

Name

American Gold Star Mothers

Legal name

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Website

https://americangoldstarmothers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is a congressionally chartered 501(c)(3) Veterans Service Organization, founded in 1928, supporting mothers who lost children in military service through 140+ volunteer-run chapters across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterans Service Organization

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

Keywords

• Veterans service organization
• Military family support
• Gold star mothers fellowship
• Nonprofit veteran advocacy
• Memorial volunteer programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual national membership dues provide recurring revenue. Dues are $40 per member as of the available data.
2. AGSM Store - Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an e-commerce store selling AGSM logo merchandise including pins, jewelry, apparel, coins, challenge coins, flags, decals, mugs, and other items. Some products are sold by third-party vendors with longer lead times.
3. Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts donations through PayPal and other channels. Donations support ongoing campaigns to support military communities.
4. Convention Registration and Events: Revenue generated from convention registration fees ($175 per attendee in 2026, $150 in 2025), banquet tickets ($75-$80), and convention journal advertising.
5. Chapter Grants: Up to five $400 grants awarded each quarter to chapters for community service projects.
6. Publications and Books: Sale of history books and publications including 'The History of Gold Star Mothers in America' at $25 and other branded materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is a congressionally chartered 501(c)(3) Veterans Service Organization that provides fellowship, emotional support, and volunteer service opportunities to mothers who have lost sons or daughters in U.S. military service. The organization delivers its mission through over 140 local chapters that run care package programs, VA hospital visits, holiday card collections, housing assistance grants, and remembrance ceremonies for veterans, active duty military, and Gold Star families. AGSM funds its operations through annual membership dues, donations, branded merchandise sales, convention registration fees, and chapter grants.

Product overview

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. operates primarily as a Veterans Service Organization offering membership services, support programs, and merchandise. The organization does not offer a unified software product but provides a website platform (powered by Weebly) for member services. The product portfolio consists of: (1) National Membership Dues for member enrollment, (2) The History of Gold Star Mothers in America book for historical documentation, (3) AGSM-branded merchandise including New Logo Products, AGSM Logo Items, Pins, Jewelry, Coins, and Supplies, (4) Logo Apparel through Valley Athletic partner, and (5) Partner Products including flags, caps, and grave markers through third-party vendors. The organization also provides news and blog content through its digital platform and publishes The Gold Star Mother Newsletter on a bimonthly basis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Membership Dues Annual enrollment as a national member of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. at $40.00 per year, granting access to fellowship, the bi-monthly Gold Star Mother Newsletter, chapter service opportunities, and member emergency fund grants. Targeted at mothers who lost a son or daughter in U.S. military service.
• The History of Gold Star Mothers in America History book documenting the organization's history, available for purchase at $25.00. Targeted at members, supporters, libraries, and those interested in Gold Star Mothers' legacy.
• New Logo Products Newly designed AGSM merchandise including indoor logo magnets, luggage tags, window decals, cotton tote bags, note cards, car magnets, and wireless charging pads. Sold to members and supporters through the AGSM Store.
• AGSM Logo Items AGSM branded merchandise including gold star banner decals, logo patches, supporter rockers, back patches with rockers, umbrellas, can coolers, and convention shirts, sold to members and supporters.
• AGSM Pins AGSM pins including Friend Pin, Associate Pin, Member Pin, Crossed Flag Pin, Gold Star Service Banner Pin, and Patriotic Ribbon Hanger Magnet, sold to members and supporters.
• AGSM Jewelry AGSM jewelry items including Past Department President Bar and Gavel Pin with Chain, sold to members and supporters.
• AGSM Coins Commemorative coins including Centennial Coins and AGSM Logo Coins in Gold finish, sold to members, chapters, and supporters as collectibles.
• AGSM Logo Apparel (Valley Athletic) AGSM branded clothing and accessories including polos, blouses, sweatshirts, jackets, caps, beanies, blankets, tumblers, and totes, sold to members and supporters through the Valley Athletic partner.
• Partner Products (Flags, Caps, Grave Markers, Pins) Products available through third-party partners including AGSM flags (from National Capital Flag Co Inc.), AGSM caps (from Keystone Uniform Cap), Gold Star Mother Grave Markers (from The American Legion), and Past President / Chapter President Pins (from City Pride Ltd.).
• American Gold Star Manor Housing Assistance Grant Temporary financial housing assistance grant providing up to $5,000 covering three months of rent or mortgage payments for Gold Star parents. Awarded to qualifying parents of fallen service members through the American Gold Star Manor.
• Chapter Grants Up to five $400 grants awarded each quarter to AGSM chapters to fund community service projects for veterans, active duty military, and Gold Star families.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 140 chapters nationwide supporting veterans, active duty military, and Gold Star families through thousands of volunteer hours each year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Veteran's Last PatrolcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership for Operation Holiday Salute collecting holiday cards for veterans in hospice care. AGSM has helped collect over 26,680 cards annually, growing from 10,152 in 2022 to 26,680 in 2024.
• MOWW (Military Order of the World Wars)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal Memorandum of Understanding partnership with MOWW. Both organizations work together to support veterans and military communities through joint advocacy and service initiatives.
• Blue Star Mothers of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal MOU partnership. Blue Star Mothers is an organization for mothers of active duty military, complementing AGSM's focus on mothers of fallen service members.
• Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown SoldiercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal MOU partnership. SHGTUS conducts ceremonies including the Gold Star Mothers Tree Marker ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and provides escorts for AGSM wreath laying events.
• Boy Scouts of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal MOU partnership to foster patriotism and youth development through joint programs and activities.
• Marine Toys for Tots FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMOU partnership supporting the Marine Toys for Tots mission through collaborative programs.
• Operation GratitudecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMOU partnership. AGSM supports Operation Gratitude's mission to care for military personnel through volunteer programs and care package contributions.
• Wreaths Across AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerActive partnership where AGSM chapters participate in Wreaths Across America events at veterans cemeteries nationwide. Maryland Chapter alone donated wreaths to Garrison Forest, all Maryland Veterans Cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery, and Dulaney Valley Memorial Cemetery.
• AMVETScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMVETS is listed as an organizational partner. AGSM hosts joint events with AMVETS including dinners and Memorial Day Week activities.
• MOPH (Military Order of the Purple Heart)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an organizational partner with mutual support in veteran advocacy and ceremonial events.
• Fisher HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGSM members volunteer at Fisher Houses, providing comfort to military families staying at these facilities near military medical centers.
• Armed Forces Retirement HomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGSM provides gift bags and visits to female veteran residents at AFRH-Washington DC during annual Gold Star Weekend service projects.
• VA Hospital (Veterans Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGSM is a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) with formal involvement in VA Medical Center volunteer programs. Members serve as deputies at VA facilities and participate in VAVS (Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service) programs.
• Military Women's MemorialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for hosting the Annual Gold Star Mothers Banquet at the Military Women's Memorial on Arlington National Cemetery.
• Kappa Delta Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity (Duquesne University)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe brothers of Kappa Delta Chapter host the 18th Annual White Rose Ball raising money for American Gold Star Mothers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AMVETS (American Veterans): A national VSO that partners with AGSM via formal MOU and joint events. Serves overlapping veteran and military-family populations with chapter-based community programming, making AMVETS one of the most operationally comparable peer organizations.
• Fisher House Foundation: Major military-family nonprofit operating comfort homes near medical centers, with formal AGSM volunteer partnership. Comparable as a Gold Star and veterans-family support organization providing tangible family-service programs at a national scale.
• Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH): VSO for combat-wounded Purple Heart recipients, listed as an AGSM partner. Comparable as a chartered veterans membership organization focused on recognition, advocacy, and direct service to a defined military-affiliated population.
• Wreaths Across America: 501(c)(3) nonprofit running nationwide wreath-laying events at veterans cemeteries, with active AGSM chapter participation. Comparable as a veteran-focused, community-driven ceremonial program organization that relies on similar volunteer- and donation-based funding.
• Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW): VSO for veteran officers and their descendants, formally partnered with AGSM through MOU. Comparable in being a patriotic-service, membership-based organization engaged in advocacy and ceremonial service to military families.
• Blue Star Mothers of America: A 501(c)(3) membership-based VSO for mothers of active-duty service members, structured around chapters and MOUs. It is AGSM's most direct analog, holding a formal partnership MOU and serving the same mother-of-service-member mission with an active-duty focus versus AGSM's fallen-service-member focus.
• Society of the Honor Guard – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Nonprofit supporting the Sentinel guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with a formal MOU providing ceremonial escorts for AGSM wreath-layings at Arlington. Comparable as a ceremonial, membership-based nonprofit deeply embedded in national military-memorial traditions.
• Operation Gratitude: 501(c)(3) nonprofit that sends care packages to deployed service members, veterans, and first responders; formal AGSM partner. Comparable as a volunteer- and donation-driven organization delivering direct support to military communities via chapter and partner networks.

Broad incumbents

• American Legion: The largest U.S. wartime veterans service organization, congressionally chartered, with paid staff and a national chapter structure. Comparable as a legacy VSO serving military families and veterans, but vastly larger in scale, scope, and political activity latitude than AGSM.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): Major congressionally chartered VSO with paid national staff, large membership base, and extensive benefits/service programs. Overlaps with AGSM in serving veterans and military families, but with broader eligibility and substantially larger resource base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/agsm_national
• Facebookfacebook.com/AGSMNational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-gold-star-mothers-department-of-arizona

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about American Gold Star Mothers