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Nonprofit · EIN 99-1032310

WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION

Tax-exempt · GROVELAND, FL 34736

Financials

$45K$3K2024$75K$64K2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990-EZ$74,537$63,687$10,850$54,625–$54,625
December 31, 2024990-EZ$44,950$3,328$41,622$41,622–$41,622
Financial details: 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$5,000
Net income from fundraising events
$69,537

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$31,000
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$0
Professional fees and payments to contractors
$22,851
Printing, publications and postage
$577
Other expenses
$9,259
Program services (functional)
$38,000

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$41,622
Total assets, end of year
$54,625
Total liabilities, end of year
–
Net assets, end of year
$54,625
Cash, savings and investments
$54,625
Gross receipts
$74,537

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Jessica MesserCEO/CoFounder10$0
Blake MesserCoFounder/Board Member2$0
William E LawsonBoard Chair1$0
Kimberly SappBoard Member1$0
Ashley Stalmaboard member1$0
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024: 5 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Jessica MesserCEO/CoFounder25$0
Blake MesserCoFounder/Board Member2$0
William E LawsonBoard Chair2$0
Kimberly SappBoard Member2$0
Ashley StalmaCFO2$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
1505 LEGACY WOODS CT, GROVELAND, FL 34736-8980
In care of
% JESSICA MESSER
Signed the 990-EZ
Jessica Messer, CEO/CoFounder
Phone
(352) 459-6869

Mission

The Winking Warrior Foundation is a nonprofit organization created in memory of Bennett Tate Messer to fund Rhabdomyosarcoma research and support families affected by childhood cancer. The Foundation provides grants to help families access second opinions and specialized care, raises awareness through education and outreach, and hosts events to engage the community in its mission. Its goal is to give children fighting rare cancers a better chance through research, resources, and hope.

990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • The Winking Warrior Foundation supports childhood cancer research and awareness. In 2025, the organization awarded $31,000 in grants to fund scientific research aimed at improving treatment outcomes and advancing potential cures for pediatric cancer. These funds supported ongoing research efforts benefiting children diagnosed with cancer and the broader medical community.
    Expenses $38,000 · grants $31,000

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990-EZ on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990-EZ on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024Check at the IRS

IRS record

EIN
99-1032310
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2024
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$54,625
Income (IRS master file)
$74,537

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990-EZDecember 2025$74,537$63,687$54,625IRS
990-EZDecember 2024$44,950$3,328$41,622IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 99-1032310).

Questions about WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION

What is the EIN of WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION?
The employer identification number (EIN) of WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION is 99-1032310.
Is WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2024.
Are donations to WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended December 2025.
Who are the officers and directors of WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION?
The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 5 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
How much revenue does WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION have?
On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $74,537, expenses of $63,687 and total assets of $54,625 at year end.

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