What 1st Tix does

1st Tix is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ticket distribution platform operated as a wholly-owned program of the Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2008 and headquartered at 1255 W Rio Salado Parkway Suite 209, Tempe, Arizona. It provides free event tickets to currently serving and retired first responders — specifically law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and 911 dispatchers — and their immediate families across all 50 states and Washington, DC. The platform combines an online sign-up flow with ID.me third-party identity verification to gate eligibility, a self-service event browsing and request interface (4,221 currently open events), multi-channel ticket delivery (shipped, will-call, print-at-home, mobile), and a separate Donor Portal for managing in-kind ticket contributions.

The business model is donation-driven rather than commercial. Revenue streams include individual monetary donations (one-time and recurring, 100% tax-deductible under IRS Code Section 170), in-kind ticket donations from individuals, venues, teams, and promoters, corporate sponsorships (Tickets for Troops and Hero's Wish), merchandise sales through a Shopify-powered Gear Store, nominal delivery fees paid by recipients, and a Planned Giving/legacy bequest program. Ticket supply is sourced from more than 20 named enterprise partners including Live Nation, AEG Presents, NASCAR, multiple MLB franchises (Yankees, Nationals, Braves, Padres, Mariners, Astros, Reds, Rockies), NHL franchises (Sharks, Golden Knights), Broadway promoters, and university athletics. Distribution is exclusively online via 1sttix.org with no physical retail footprint.

Cumulatively, 1st Tix and Vet Tix have distributed 38,761,948 event tickets since inception, served 2,769,174 donors, and recorded 236,050+ feedback submissions. The organization has been independently GAAP-audited for 16 consecutive years at 96.5%+ program efficiency and is listed in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC# 44909) since 2011. Additional channels include Kroger Community Rewards, eBay charity auctions, Facebook fundraisers, and corporate payroll giving. The technology stack is built around ID.me verification, a multi-modal delivery logistics system, and the Donor Portal; no proprietary AI/ML capabilities, mobile apps, public APIs, or SDKs are disclosed.

Name

1st Tix

Legal name

Veteran Tickets Foundation

Website

https://1sttix.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

1st Tix is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program of the Veteran Tickets Foundation that distributes free event tickets to verified first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, 911 dispatchers) and their families across all 50 states, funded by individual and corporate donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Ticket Distribution Services

NAICS

Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Ticketing Platforms & Primary Ticketing (MPAIAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Events & Match Tickets (THAJAFAE), Event & Tournament Sponsorship (Title/Presenting Sponsors, Official Suppliers) (MPAKALAB)

Keywords

• Nonprofit ticket distribution
• First responder support
• Charitable ticket donations
• Event ticketing platform
• Veteran services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tempe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Monetary Donations: Individual donors contribute money to support the organization. 100% of donations go toward purchasing tickets. Donors can give one-time or monthly recurring donations. Tax-deductible under section 170 of IRS Code.
2. Ticket Donations: Individual ticket holders, businesses, and venues donate unused event tickets or gift certificates. All ticket contributions are tax-deductible. Donors use the Donor Portal to submit tickets.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor the Tickets for Troops and Hero's Wish programs through monetary contributions or direct ticket donations.
4. Merchandise Sales: Vet Tix Store sells shirts, jerseys, hats, pins, and other merchandise. Any profits from merchandise sales go directly to the Veteran Tickets Foundation mission.
5. Delivery Fee: First responders pay a small delivery fee when receiving their free tickets. This is described as the only cost to recipients.
6. Planned Giving / Legacy Bequests: Donors can include Veteran Tickets Foundation in their last will and testament through general, specific, residuary, or contingency bequests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

1st Tix is a nonprofit online ticket distribution platform that provides free event tickets to verified first responders—including currently serving and retired law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and 911 dispatchers—and their families. The platform partners with sports teams, venues, promoters, and individual ticket holders to source donated tickets, while recipients pay only a small delivery fee. It is powered by Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has distributed more than 38.7 million tickets nationwide.

Product overview

1st Tix is a nonprofit ticket distribution platform powered by Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), a 99% back to program 501(c)(3) charity. The core offering is the 1st Tix Ticket Distribution Platform, which provides free event tickets to verified first responders including law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and 911 dispatchers. The platform operates through the Tickets for Responders Program, which partners with sports teams, venues, and donors across all 50 states. Additional offerings include the Hero's Wish Program for deployed/wounded military and KIA families, a Gear Store for merchandise, and a Ticket Donation Portal for donors. The organization has distributed over 38.7 million tickets since 2008.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1st Tix Ticket Distribution Platform A nonprofit ticket distribution platform that provides free event tickets to verified first responders (law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and 911 dispatchers) and their families. First responders sign up online, get verified through ID.me, request tickets to events of interest, and pay a small delivery fee to receive free tickets.
• Tickets for Responders Program

Quantifiable outcome

• One third of first responders have been diagnosed with depression or PTSD. Strong social networks are essential for managing stress and dealing with trauma.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Live NationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor entertainment partner donating concert and event tickets. One of the largest donors supporting the Tickets for Troops program with ongoing ticket donations across multiple venues and tours.
• NASCARcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRacing organization providing tickets to military, veterans, and first responders for NASCAR events and racing experiences across the country.
• Seattle MarinerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMLB team participating in the Charity Ticket Program, donating game tickets to military and first responder communities with comprehensive tracking of ticket redemption.
• San Diego PadrescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMLB team running a Charity Ticket Program through Vet Tix to reach military and first responder communities they may not have reached otherwise.
• Atlanta BravescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMLB team with an ongoing partnership for ticket donations to veterans and first responders, with dedicated VetTix contact for coordination.
• Kansas City MavericksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHockey team with multi-season partnership. Staff enjoys meeting veterans at games and reviewing attendee photos on the VetTix website.
• San Jose SharkscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNHL team providing tickets to veterans and first responders. Supports both ticket donations and direct purchase from donated funds.
• Vegas Golden KnightscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNHL team donating tickets to military and first responders for home games at the Fortress arena.
• AEG PresentscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor concert and entertainment promoter providing tickets across multiple markets for military and first responder events.
• Nederlander National / Broadway MarketscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTheater and concert promoter with three-year partnership providing last-minute ticket offers to military families across multiple markets.
• Brad Garrett's Comedy ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLas Vegas comedy club providing weekly ticket donations to military personnel as a way to give back and create memorable experiences.
• King Center for the Performing ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPerforming arts venue with high redemption rate on donated tickets and strong veteran attendee engagement.
• Cagezilla MMAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMMA event organization donating tickets to veterans and their families through Vet Tix.
• Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor bare-knuckle fighting league providing premium tickets for July 4th events and ongoing fight night donations to military and first responders.
• Houston Grand OperaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOpera company donating tickets to military and first responders for productions like Silent Night and Messiah.
• City WineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConcert venue providing tickets to military and first responders for events like Golden Era of Hip Hop.
• Hennepin ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPerforming arts venue in Minneapolis donating tickets to veterans for shows like Purple Rain tribute.
• Performing Arts HoustonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPerforming arts organization in Houston donating tickets to veterans for cultural performances.
• Feld Entertainment (Monster Jam)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily entertainment company donating Monster Jam World Finals tickets to veterans and first responders.
• University of Southern California (USC) TrojansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity athletics program donating football tickets to first responders as part of Trojan Family appreciation.
• University of Notre DameminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity athletics donating football tickets to veterans, including families of those killed in action.
• Clemson University AthleticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity sports program providing football tickets to military and first responders for game experiences.
• Kroger / Fry's Family of StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery chain enabling shoppers to link their V.I.P. card to earn donations for Vet Tix through the Community Rewards program.
• Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner1st Tix is a program powered by Veteran Tickets Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Vet Tix provides the platform infrastructure, donor network, and programmatic framework for 1st Tix operations. Vet Tix has been independently audited for 16 years with 99% back to program efficiency.
• ID.mecoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party identity verification service used to verify first responder eligibility including law enforcement, firefighters, nurses, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Catch A Lift Foundation: Smaller veteran nonprofit providing fitness, community, and recreation support to post-9/11 wounded veterans. Comparable in delivering morale and recreation-based programming to a military population, but narrower beneficiary focus and smaller partner ecosystem.
• Yellow Ribbon Fund: Smaller nonprofit supporting wounded, ill, and injured post-9/11 service members and their families through recreation and reintegration programs. Comparable in delivering morale and family-bonding experiences to a service-member population, with partial overlap in recreation-based beneficiary engagement.

Others

• StubHub: Major secondary ticketing marketplace adjacent to 1st Tix's primary-ticket distribution model. Comparable in ticketing infrastructure and event access, but commercially focused rather than serving a nonprofit beneficiary mission.

Broad incumbents

• Operation Homefront: National nonprofit serving military families with financial assistance, housing, and recurring programs including holiday events. Comparable in serving military-connected families with morale and recognition programming, though its core is financial assistance rather than ticketing.
• Ticketmaster: Largest primary ticketing platform in the US, supplying much of the inventory that 1st Tix distributes. Comparable in live event ticketing but operates a commercial, fee-based model rather than a donation-funded nonprofit distribution platform.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large veteran-services nonprofit providing mental health, career, and engagement programs. Comparable donor base and beneficiary overlap with Vet Tix/1st Tix, but with a much wider program portfolio rather than ticket distribution.
• USO (United Service Organizations): Large established military-support nonprofit providing entertainment, morale, and family programs to active duty troops. Overlaps with 1st Tix on event-based recognition of service but operates a much broader portfolio including centers, programs, and global deployments.

Direct peers

• Hero's Wish Program (Vet Tix): Special-request ticket program for severely wounded warriors and families of those killed in action, run by Vet Tix. Same infrastructure and partner network as 1st Tix; targets a narrower beneficiary subset but with more personalized fulfillment.
• Vet Tix (Veteran Tickets Foundation): Parent program of 1st Tix, providing the same donated-ticket distribution model to military and veterans. Operates on the same platform, donor network, and partner roster; 1st Tix is effectively an extension of Vet Tix into the first responder segment.

Regional players

• Tickets for Troops (UK): UK-based charity distributing donated event tickets to military personnel using a near-identical donation-and-verification model. Comparable mission and operating mechanics, but limited to UK armed forces rather than US first responders.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pg/VetTix/fundraisers

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 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 1st Tix