THE WINKING WARRIOR FOUNDATION
EIN 99-1032310 · Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations N.E.C. (T99)
What they do
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.
Should I give to this charity?
Of every $100 spent, about $59.70 was reported for mission work. Use the spending picture below and ask what results that work produced.
Plain answer: A tax form cannot prove that a charity is doing good. It can show how the charity says it spent its money—and point out questions you should ask.
Basic facts we verified
IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.
Money report from 2025The charity has a recent tax report to read.
They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.
They name their leaders5 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
Ask these three easy questions
- Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
- What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
- Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.
Bottom line: Do not decide from a name, mission statement, or tax status alone. Look at where the money went, then ask what changed, who was helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.
Financial picture
A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.
How each $100 of revenue was used
The large number compares each expense with revenue. The smaller number shows its share of total expenses.
Gray means reported revenue left after expenses for this filing year. It does not necessarily mean cash sitting in a bank account.
Has the pattern changed?
Colored bars = expense mix: how each year’s expenses were divided. Total expenses vs. revenue shows whether the charity spent less or more than it received. The current filing is first.
Money in and money out
Reported spending amounts
Mission work means the Form 990 category called program services. These are reported accounting categories—not an independent measurement of results.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.
No compensation was reported for these leaders. The complete board and leadership roster is shown below.
Board and leadership roster (5)
ASHLEY STALMABOARD MEMBER
BLAKE MESSERCOFOUNDER/BOARD MEMBER
JESSICA MESSERCEO/COFOUNDER
KIMBERLY SAPPBOARD MEMBER
WILLIAM E LAWSONBOARD CHAIR
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 2024
- Location
- 1505 LEGACY WOODS CT, GROVELAND, FL 34736-8980
- County
- Lake
- In care of
- % JESSICA MESSER
- Primary officer
- Jessica Messer, CEO/CoFounder
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2025
- Tax period began
- January 1, 2025
- Return type
- 990EZ
- NTEE classification
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations N.E.C. (T99)
- IRS tax category
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations N.E.C.