Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Foundation an IRS-approved charity?
  Yes, the Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt charity. For more details on what this means for your donation to our organization, please refer to this page on the Internal Revenue Service’s website.

• Is the Foundation listed in the Combined Federal Campaign?
  No. We anticipate to be included for the 2024 campaign.

• Who qualifies for Foundation scholarships?

  The children of Defense Intelligence Enterprise officers, civilian or military, killed in the line of duty are eligible for scholarships. Scholarship candidates can be natural born, adopted, or the stepchildren of USG employees killed in the line of duty. These children are not covered under any other intelligence community educational scholarship programs.

• What does “killed in the line of duty” mean?

  An intelligence officer killed during the execution of his/her official duties. This would include combat actions on U.S. soil, abroad, or going to and from work. This does not include medical incidents in the workplace.

• Are the children of contractors eligible for Foundation scholarships?
  Grants are restricted to the children of USG employees.

• Are the children of military members eligible?

  Yes, if no other charity will provide benefits. The Foundation has relationships with similar scholarship charities and the DIMF will support eligible children in seeking other sources of assistance.

• Are spouses eligible for Foundation scholarships?

  No.

• Do grant recipients receive financial assistance directly?
  The Foundation works directly with educational institutions for payment.This allows the Foundation to minimize any tax liability to the awardee.

• Do grants include tuition, room and board, books, supplies, and other fees?
  The Foundation aspires to cover all expenses incurred by the awardee. However, IRS regulations governing charitable grants are in constant flux and these determine what may and may not be covered.

• Are grants need-based?
  The Foundation aspires to be qualified-based and not needs-based. Until such time that the Foundation has the material resources to make this aspiration possible, it will consider all information to make the greatest impact for those who qualify.

• Are the Foundation’s members compensated?
  No. Board members and the Foundation leadership team are unpaid volunteers.

• Are awardees restricted in their choice of schools?
  Awardees may attend any Department of Education accredited school. See https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

• What educational needs does the Foundation support?
  The Foundation supports educational needs for vocational, associate, bachelor, or equivalent professional degrees.

• Can donors specify the manner in which their money is spent?
  Opportunities exist for named scholarships, trusts, and customized giving. However, IRS regulations for 501 (c) (3) charitable organizations place some restrictions on targeted donations. Please contact the Foundation for more information.

• What are the Foundation’s financial goals?

  Our initial fundraising goal is $10 million to meet current and future need.

Commitment to Ethics

The DIMF adheres to a strict code of ethics in all its endeavors.

• We put the educational and professional goals of survivor families first.

• We promote transparent business processes, finances, and decision-making.

• We protect the personal privacy of survivor families and donors. Only information explicitly authorized to be shared with others will be shared outside of the Foundation.

• We do not engage in or tolerate racially, gender-biased, or sexually discriminatory behavior of any kind.

• Foundation employees, contractors, volunteers, or Board Members who are also Federal employees abide by all the ethics rules, laws, and legal opinions of the U.S. Government.