Paralyzed Veterans of America does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
PVA does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once every two years.
- Receive information about the financial arrangements made with outside consultants hired in the past year.
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
PVA does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
PVA does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
PVA does not meet this Standard because the 2020 annual report did not include:
- Total program expenses broken down by major program category as listed in the audited financial statements (VA benefits and medical advisory services, public education, advocacy, sports and recreation, chapter and community outreach, and research, consumer and professional education).
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
15
Paralyzed Veterans of America meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
COMPLAINTS
Number of complaints processed by BBB WGA in the last 36 months: 1
The organization addressed the complaint issues brought to its attention: 1
(This complaint involved mailing list removal).
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Year, State Incorporated
1946, DE
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Also Known As
Paralyzed Veterans of America Spinal Cord Research Foundation
PVA Spinal Cord Injury Education and Training Foundation
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Stated Purpose
"to ensure that veterans receive the benefits earned through their service to our nation; monitor their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and fund research and education in the search for a cure and improve care for individuals with paralysis."
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) aims to address the needs of its members and all veterans with spinal cord injury and dysfunction. The organization provides disabled veterans with benefits assistance as well as employment, financial, legal, and medical support. PVA also works to inform the public of the needs and problems of paraplegics. The organization advocates for quality healthcare for paralyzed veterans, research and education addressing spinal cord injury and disease, existing and future veterans benefits, and disability civil rights and opportunities. Some ($15,497,613 or 15%) of PVA's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fundraising appeals.
For the year ended June 30, 2020, Paralyzed Veterans of America's program expenses were:
Public education |
$72,499,116 |
VA benefits and medical advisory services |
$16,886,293 |
Chapter and community outreach |
$4,673,137 |
Research, consumer and professional education |
$2,752,694 |
Sports and recreation |
$2,157,808 |
Advocacy |
$1,796,533 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$100,765,581 |
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Chief Executive
William "Carl" Blake, Executive Director
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Compensation*
$236,828
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Chair of the Board
David Zurfluh
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America
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Board Size
32
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Paid Staff Size
245
*2018 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
PVA incurred joint costs of $46,349,419 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $28,527,518 was allocated to fundraising expenses, $15,497,613 was allocated to program expenses, and $2,324,288 was allocated to administrative expenses.
Fundraising costs were 24% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $141,803,525, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Paralyzed Veterans of America's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2020.
Source of Funds |
Contributions |
$72,899,322 |
Contributed services and materials |
$53,989,610 |
Legacies and bequests |
$14,914,593 |
Investment income, net |
$4,058,914 |
Other revenue |
$2,674,942 |
Publications |
$162,968 |
Total Income |
$148,700,349 |
- Programs: 71%
- Fundraising: 23%
- Administrative: 6%
Total Income |
$148,700,349 |
Program expenses |
$100,765,581 |
Fundraising expenses |
$33,556,766 |
Administrative expenses |
$9,374,254 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$143,696,601 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$5,003,748 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$64,482,194 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
Ending Net Assets |
$69,485,942 |
Total Liabilities |
$9,544,760 |
Total Assets |
$79,030,702 |
Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended June 30, 2020, PVA received in-kind gifts totaling $53,989,610 in the form of public service announcements ($52,881,524), space ($973,895), and donated goods and services ($134,191).