About
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, it mobilizes a volunteer force of military veterans and civilians — known as Greyshirts — to provide disaster relief at home and abroad. Team Rubicon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 27-1720480), and its stated vision is to support humanity and build resiliency for vulnerable communities across the world.
Mission
Team Rubicon's mission is to serve global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. The organization frames service as a mindset: bringing equitable relief to vulnerable communities whenever and wherever disaster strikes.
What they do
- Disaster response: launching operations when hurricanes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters strike, in the United States and internationally.
- Long-term recovery: helping communities rebuild after the immediate emergency has passed.
- Medical: providing medical capabilities as part of its humanitarian operations.
- Workforce development: building skills among its volunteers and the communities it serves.
History
Team Rubicon was founded in 2010, when U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jake Wood led a team of seven into Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the country. That first operation gave the organization its name: echoing Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon, the team committed themselves irrevocably to the cause when they crossed the Artibonite River into Haiti. Recent operations documented by the organization include responses to the Los Angeles wildfires (January-July 2025), the Texas Hill Country floods in Kerr County (July-September 2025), and earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela (June 2026).
Scale and impact
According to Team Rubicon, its volunteer force has grown from that first team of seven to more than 180,000 people, and its services have impacted over 14 million people in more than 3,400 communities. The organization operates both domestic and international programs.
Financials
Per its IRS Form 990 as compiled by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Team Rubicon (EIN 27-1720480) reported total revenue of about $40.4 million, total expenses of about $47.9 million, and total assets of about $46.1 million for the fiscal year ending December 2023. In the prior fiscal year (2022), it reported revenue of about $51.4 million and expenses of about $49.6 million.
Governance
Team Rubicon publishes information about its leadership team and board, as well as financials and annual reports, on its website. Its stated cultural principles include "Mission first, Greyshirts always" and a commitment to spending donated funds thoughtfully and responsibly.
