501(c)(3) public charity • EIN 80-0819684
Transparency and Accountability
Operation: Cigars for Warriors is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. We believe the people who support our troops deserve to see exactly how this organization is structured and governed.
Every member of our leadership serves at $0 salary or hourly compensation. Every request for a care package is individually reviewed before anything ships. And the documents that establish our legal standing are posted here for anyone to read.
If you have a question these documents don’t answer, contact us here, and we will respond.
IRS Determination Letter
The Internal Revenue Service has recognized Operation: Cigars for Warriors as a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS issued this determination letter on December 5, 2013, with our exemption effective from July 11, 2012, the year we were founded. Contributions to Operation: Cigars for Warriors are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
At a glance
- Organization Operation: Cigars for Warriors
- EIN 80-0819684
- Tax-exempt status 501(c)(3)
- Public charity classification 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), publicly supported organization
- Exemption effective July 11, 2012
- Determination letter issued December 5, 2013
- Contributions deductible Yes, to the extent allowed by law
Independent recognition
How outside evaluators see us.
Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency
We have earned Candid’s highest level of recognition for 2026. The Platinum Seal is awarded to nonprofits that share their financials, leadership, strategy, and measurable results publicly through their Candid (GuideStar) profile.
View our Candid profileHow we are governed
- Leadership Volunteer-led and overseen by a Board of Directors — every member serves at $0 compensation. Meet them on our Leadership page.
- Care packages Every request is individually reviewed by our military liaison before anything ships
- Public disclosure Federal law requires a 501(c)(3) to share its exemption application and three most recent Form 990s with anyone who asks. We post them here.
Filings and policies
Documents adopted by our Board of Directors or filed with the IRS. Each is available to read in full; additional documents will be posted here as they are finalized.
Form 990 — three most recent years
Coming soonOur annual informational returns filed with the IRS.
Documents pending
Form 1023 — original exemption application
Coming soonThe application the IRS reviewed when granting our 501(c)(3) status.
Document pending
Conflict of Interest Policy
PDFHow our board identifies and handles conflicts of interest.
Whistleblower Policy
PDFProtects any volunteer from retaliation for reporting a problem. Anyone who, in good faith, reports activity they believe to be illegal, dishonest, unethical, or otherwise improper is protected; the policy commits CFW to non-retaliation, maintains confidentiality wherever possible, and sets out where to take a report — including to the Senior Vice Chair when leadership itself is the subject of a concern. Approved by the full Board and signed by the Chairman.
Sexual Harassment Policy
Coming soonOur Board-approved policy on preventing and responding to harassment among volunteers, staff, and event participants. The full document will be posted here once available.
Document pending
Report a concern
If you have a concern about how CFW operates, handles donations, or treats the people it works with, we want to hear it. Reports are handled under our Whistleblower Policy and can be made confidentially.
Contact usQuestions about a donation?
Need a receipt, want to confirm a gift was received, or have a question about how funds are used? Reach out and our finance team will follow up.
Get in touch Operation: Cigars For Warriors4805 55th St
Lubbock, TX 79414
United States