Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS)

What Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS) does

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) Veterans Service Organization founded in 1994 by Bonnie Carroll following the death of her husband, Army Brigadier General Tom Carroll. The organization provides 24/7 peer-based grief support, casework assistance, education support, suicide postvention, youth programming, and advocacy for all individuals grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one, serving 130,000 people in 2023 and welcoming 9,500 new survivors in 2025. Core service infrastructure includes the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline (800-959-TAPS), the Survivor Care Team, the TAPS Connected online portal, regional survivor seminars, Good Grief Camps, and the annual National Military Survivor Seminar held in Washington D.C. over Memorial Day weekend. TAPS's proprietary methodologies — the TAPS Bereavement Survivor-Informed Peer Support Model (endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association and DoD) and the TAPS Suicide Postvention Model (published in the peer-reviewed journal Death Studies) — form the clinical backbone of its programming.

The organization is funded entirely through charitable contributions: individual donations, corporate and foundation grants, special events (Honor Guard Gala, Golf4TAPS, Team TAPS), and online merchandise sales. All programs and services are provided free of charge to surviving families. TAPS operates from its national headquarters in Arlington, VA, with a wholly-owned subsidiary, TAPS International (Tax ID 82-2135523), supporting surviving families in Ukraine, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe. The organization holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (GuideStar), a 4-Star Rating from Great Nonprofits, and is recognized by DoD and VA as the authoritative expert in military grief, bereavement, trauma, and suicide postvention. Loss of revenue concentration, donor cyclicality, and the need to scale peer support capacity to meet rising demand (notably a 16% surge in helpline calls and a 12% rise in suicide-loss survivors) are the principal operational considerations.

Name

Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS)

Legal name

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc.

Website

https://taps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

TAPS is a 501(c)(3) Veterans Service Organization providing 24/7 peer-based grief support, casework, suicide postvention, youth programs, and advocacy to families grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one, serving over 130,000 people annually in the U.S. and abroad.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Bereavement Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Bereavement & Grief Support Services (Hospice-Affiliated/Independent) (HLADAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL), Bereavement & Grief Support Services (Family Aftercare) (HSABAFAI), End-of-Life Emotional & Spiritual Support (Chaplaincy/Counseling) In-Home (HSABAFAH)

Keywords

• Bereavement support services
• Military survivor care
• Peer grief counseling
• Suicide postvention programs
• Veteran family advocacy

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: TAPS relies primarily on individual donations from the public to support surviving military families. Donations can be made online through the website, GoFundMe, or by mail with checks payable to Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: TAPS receives support from corporate sponsors and foundation grants. Sponsors include Lockheed Martin, USAA, Boeing, Dignity Memorial, Centene, and others who support specific programs and initiatives.
3. Special Events: Revenue generated from fundraising events including Honor Guard Gala, Golf4TAPS, Team TAPS athletic events, and other community fundraising activities.
4. Online Store: TAPS operates an online store (shop.taps.org) selling merchandise to support the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TAPS provides comprehensive grief support, care, and resources at no cost to all those grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one. Its core offerings include a 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, Survivor Care Team peer support, casework assistance with benefits navigation, grief counseling connections, suicide postvention services, youth programs (Good Grief Camps), education support services, annual National Military Survivor Seminar, and TAPS International operations.

Product overview

TAPS is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) Veterans Service Organization providing a comprehensive suite of grief support programs and services to all those grieving a death in the military or veteran community. The organization operates a peer-based support model centered around its 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, Survivor Care Team, and Casework Assistance program. Key offerings include Youth Programs (Good Grief Camps), Peer Mentor Program, Suicide Loss Support with the proprietary TAPS Suicide Postvention Model, Education Support Services, Grief Counseling connections, Caregiver to Survivor Program, Military Casualty Resources, the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing for professional training, and TAPS Magazine as a quarterly publication. Additional programs include Survivor Seminars and Retreats, Sports and Entertainment Programs (teams4taps/stars4taps), PACT Act Resources, and TAPS International for global operations. 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 A 24/7 toll-free helpline (800-959-TAPS) providing immediate emotional support, crisis care, and connections to TAPS services for anyone grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one.
• Survivor Care Team Peer professionals who serve as the initial line of support, reaching out to new surviving family members and providing personalized support through calls, texts, and emails.
• Casework Assistance Comprehensive casework services helping survivors resolve issues on burial, manage benefits, navigate records and paperwork, and connect with resources for healthcare, financial hardships, and civil legal matters.
• Grief Counseling Connects survivors to grief counseling, grief support groups, and resources in their community through a network of verified community partners.
• Education Support Services Guides to scholarship information and education benefits for military survivors, including help with financial aid searches, college preparation, and alignment of resources and education goals.
• Suicide Loss Support Comprehensive suicide postvention services including the TAPS Suicide Postvention Model, peer mentors specifically trained in suicide loss, online support groups, and resources for survivors of military suicide loss.
• Caregiver to Survivor Program Specialized support for those transitioning from caregiver to bereaved survivor, particularly relevant for families who cared for ill or injured veterans before their death.
• Military Casualty Resources Free 24/7 guidance and grief resources for Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs personnel on military and veteran deaths, including printable materials and online briefings.
• TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing National and worldwide leader in training and education for bereavement professionals, bereaved individuals, and grieving military, veteran, and civilian families, providing workshops, seminars, and webinars.
• Youth Programs Age-appropriate grief support and programs for children and teens who have lost a military loved one, including Good Grief Camps, Family Camps, and youth-specific retreats and expeditions.
• Peer Mentor Program Pairs survivors with trained volunteer peer mentors who have experienced similar losses to provide listening support, friendship, and celebration of milestones.
• Survivor Seminars and Retreats National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp held annually in Washington D.C. over Memorial Day weekend since 1994, along with regional seminars and retreats across the country and worldwide expeditions.
• Sports and Entertainment Programs (teams4taps and stars4taps) Programs connecting surviving military families with professional sports teams and entertainment industry opportunities for meaningful experiences and ways to honor fallen heroes.
• PACT Act Resources Specialized resources helping survivors understand and access benefits under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.
• TAPS International Global initiative sharing best practices in peer-based emotional support programs and bringing surviving families of coalition partners into an international network of support, operating in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other regions.
• TAPS Magazine Quarterly magazine sent free of charge to survivors, supporters, service members, and grief professionals, featuring articles written by military survivors, grief professionals, and TAPS staff.
• Online Community and Virtual Programs Virtual support groups, online chats, and digital resources including TAPS Togethers, Care Groups, and online workshops for survivors who cannot attend in-person events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130,000 people served in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• USOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of TAPS Survivor Care Team supporting military survivors through partnership in providing comfort and resources.
• Giant FoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity sponsor supporting TAPS Survivor Care Team programs and resources for military surviving families.
• Home Base Veteran and Family CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner sponsor of TAPS Suicide Prevention and Postvention programs supporting veterans and military families affected by suicide loss.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation - Hidden HeroescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner connecting military caregivers to community support, local events, and resources through the Hidden Heroes initiative.
• Military and Veteran Caregiver Network with American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partner of TAPS providing peer connections and resources for military and veteran caregivers transitioning to survivor status.
• TAPS UkrainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner organization supporting families of military deceased in Ukraine, receiving funds and resources from TAPS International to meet their needs including supplies from baby formula to sleeping bags.
• TAPS AfghanistancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner organization providing support to families of military deceased in Afghanistan through TAPS International programs.
• International Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual global working group gathering bringing together coalition partners to share best practices in peer-based emotional support programs and strengthen understanding between cultures.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Blue Star Families: Military family support nonprofit focused on spouse and community programming. Comparable in serving military family members and policy advocacy, though broader than bereavement-focused TAPS mission.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: Veteran-serving foundation providing entertainment, financial, and family support programs. Comparable in military family programming and donor base, with overlap in sports/entertainment programming for military families.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large veteran service organization providing physical and mental health programs to wounded veterans and their families. Overlaps in donor base, advocacy, and family support programming but primarily serves living veterans.
• Fisher House Foundation: Major military family charity providing free lodging near medical centers and grants. Overlapping donor base and corporate sponsor relationships with TAPS, but focused on hospitalization support rather than bereavement.
• USO (United Service Organizations): Major military support nonprofit providing programs for service members and families globally. Direct partnership with TAPS Survivor Care Team, comparable corporate sponsor base, and overlapping military family beneficiary audience.

Emerging players

• Judi's House: Pediatric bereavement support nonprofit. Comparable in youth grief programming (Good Grief Camps), with overlapping child bereavement methodology and youth-focused peer support.

Direct peers

• Operation Homefront: Military family nonprofit providing financial assistance, housing, and recurring support programs. Comparable in serving military families in crisis, with overlapping casework and emergency assistance offerings for surviving families.
• Hospice Foundation of America: National bereavement education and support nonprofit. Directly comparable in bereavement professional training and grief support methodology, with overlapping TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing training mission.
• National Military Family Association: Military family advocacy and support nonprofit serving spouses, children, and parents of service members. Comparable in advocacy focus and military family beneficiary base, with overlapping policy work and survivor benefit navigation.
• American Gold Star Mothers: Long-standing nonprofit supporting mothers who lost a child in military service. Directly comparable in mission to support military bereaved families, though narrower in scope (mothers only) and earlier in organizational development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS)