Paralyzed Veterans of America
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O.
- Income
- $83.2 million
- Spending
- $82.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 17.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 266
- Volunteers
- 650
- Highest pay
- $288,807, chief financial officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2532 of 32 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $22.0 million spent. VETERANS BENEFIT SERVICES:VA BENEFITS - EACH YEAR, OUR NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICERS (NSOS) HELP THOUSANDS OF VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OBTAIN THE BENEFITS THEY HAVE EARNED THROUGH THEIR MILITARY SERVICE OR THE SERVICE OF THEIR LOVED ONE. IN MANY CASES, OUR NSOS ARE ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE AT A VETERAN'S BEDSIDE AFTER INJURY, AND THEIR FIRST LINE OF CONTACT TO GETTING ASSISTANCE WITH HEALTH CARE AND BENEFITS' NEEDS.IN FY 25, PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA'S VETERANS BENEFITS STAFF SECURED $287,156,413 IN NEW ANNUAL AND RETROACTIVE BENEFITS FOR OUR CLIENTS, INCLUDING $14,159,176 IN PAYMENTS FOR AUTOMOBILE GRANTS, $33,840,274 IN AUTOMOBILE ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT PAYMENTS, $48,025,755 IN PAYMENTS FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING (SAH) GRANTS AND $6,080,748 IN ANNUAL CLOTHING ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS.IN FY 25, WE FILED 27,581 NEW ISSUES/CLAIMS AND SECURED 1,875 "SIGNIFICANT RETROACTIVE AWARDS" (OVER $100,000). WE CONDUCTED 6,368 HOSPITAL AND OFFICE INTERVIEWS AND HAD OVER 147,610 CLIENT CONTACTS DURING THE YEAR.VETERANS CAREER PROGRAM [FORMERLY PAVE] - PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA'S VETERANS CAREER PROGRAM PROVIDES CAREER ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SUPPORT TO TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, MILITARY SPOUSES AND CAREGIVERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IN FY25, VETERANS CAREER PROGRAM STAFF PLACED 212 INDIVIDUALS IN MEANINGFUL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND CARRIED AN ACTIVE AVERAGE CASELOAD OF 530 CLIENTS. THE PROGRAM OPERATES THROUGH NINE LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE: ATLANTA, MINNEAPOLIS, BOSTON, RICHMOND, SAN ANTONIO, SAN DIEGO, SEATTLE, TAMPA AND WASHINGTON, D.C. SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE PROGRAM, WE HAVE HELPED MORE THAN 5,000 VETERANS, MILITARY SPOUSES AND CAREGIVERS FIND MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT.THROUGH THE VETERANS CAREER PROGRAM, CLIENTS RECEIVE HIGH-TOUCH ENGAGEMENT AS THEY LOOK FOR MEANINGFUL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT. VETERANS CAREER PROGRAM STAFF WORK WITH ANY MEMBER OF THE MILITARY COMMUNITY WHO NEEDS OUR HELP, BUT WE SPECIALIZE IN ASSISTING THOSE VETERANS WITH BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT DUE TO CATASTROPHIC INJURY OR ILLNESS. PVA'S VCP PROGRAM IS ALSO AN AUTHORIZED EMPLOYMENT NETWORK FOR SSA'S TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM. VETERANS WHO RECEIVE SSDI OR SSI ARE PROVIDED BENEFITS COUNSELING IN ADDITION TO OUR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF EARNINGS ON THEIR DISABILITY BENEFITS. IN FY25, PVA CONTINUED TO OFFER THE VETERANS CAREER LIVE VIRTUAL ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM. VETERANS CAREER LIVE BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN CAREER RESOURCES AND VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE NOT WILLING OR ABLE TO ATTEND TRADITIONAL HIRING EVENTS. THROUGH A SERIES OF INFORMAL VIRTUAL SESSIONS, VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THEIR CAREGIVERS ARE ABLE TO LEARN FROM CAREER EXPERTS AND NETWORK WITH EMPLOYERS AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS. IN FY25 PVA HOSTED 95 VETERANS CAREER LIVE SESSIONS FOR 10,109 MEMBERS OF THE VETERAN COMMUNITY.PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA (PVA) MEDICAL SERVICES THE PVA MEDICAL SERVICES TEAM WORKS TO ENSURE THAT VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY AND DISEASE (INCLUDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS) HAVE ACCESS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) RESOURCES AND RECEIVE THE BEST MEDICAL CARE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE VHA SCI/D SYSTEM OF CARE.THE HEALTH CARE EXPERTS THAT MAKE UP PVA'S MEDICAL SERVICES TEAM BRING A WIDE VARIETY OF CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE IN SPINAL CORD INJURY AND DISEASE. THE TEAM CLOSELY COLLABORATES WITH PVA'S NATIONAL VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS WHO ARE LOCATED AT EACH VHA SCI UNIT AND VAMC HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP AT EVERY VETERANS ADMINISTRATION SCI/D CENTER AND LONG-TERM CARE CENTER TO SUPPORT BEST PRACTICES IN CARE, ADVOCATE FOR THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF PVA MEMBERS, AND FACILITATE CHANGE WHEN NEEDED TO ENSURE QUALITY AND TIMELY DELIVERY OF CARE.THE PVA MEDICAL SERVICES TEAM CONDUCTS ANNUAL SITE SURVEYS AT ALL 25 SCI/D CENTERS AND 6 LONG TERM CARE CENTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES TO ASSESS THE QUALITY AND TIMELINESS OF CARE. AFTER EACH VISIT, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, ALONG WITH IDENTIFIED BEST PRACTICES AT THE CENTER ARE COMPILED INTO A SITE SURVEY REPORT AND SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION. OUR DEDICATED CLINICAL STAFF CONTINUALLY WORKS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUALS WITH SCI/D BY CONTRIBUTING ARTICLES, COVERING TREATMENT UPDATES, HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION TO OUR ORGANIZATIONS MONTHLY PUBLICATION, PARAPLEGIA NEWS (PN) MAGAZINE AND THE MEMBERS AT LARGE NEWSLETTER. EACH MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL SERVICES TEAM REPRESENTS PVA BY COLLABORATING ON PANELS AND COMMITTEES OF RELATED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVANCE AND IMPROVE THE ACCESS, DELIVERY AND QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE FOR VETERANS WITH SCI/D. PVA'S MEDICAL SERVICE TEAM MEMBERS ALONG WITH OUR HEALTH POLICY STAFFER PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS WEBINARS AND NATIONAL EVENTS CONCERNING SCI/D AND THE DELIVERY OF CARE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS. THE MEDICAL SERVICES STAFF SERVES AS A RESOURCE FOR PVA'S NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICERS, MEMBERS AND NATIONAL OFFICE STAFF FOR GUIDANCE TO AFFECT CHANGE FOR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OR THE VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN ITS ENTIRETY. THE TEAM ALSO ASSISTS PVA'S APPELLATE OPERATIONS IN FILING APPEALS FOR SERVICE CONNECTION AND BENEFITS FOR VETERANS. CHAPTER AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH - PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA THINKS NATIONALLY AND ACTS LOCALLY THROUGH OUR 33 CHAPTERS DOTTED ACROSS THE NATION. WHETHER IT'S HELPING NEWLY INJURED VETERANS GET THE HELP THEY NEED OR ADVOCATING FOR BARRIER FREE SPORTING FACILITIES, OUR CHAPTERS ARE TRUSTED MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO "PAY IT FORWARD AND TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT OUR SERVICES TO MILLIONS EVERY YEAR.
- $15.8 million spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS:PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA ENGAGES AND EDUCATES BOTH THE PUBLIC AND KEY DECISION MAKERS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACING VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY AND THEIR FAMILIES - AND THE IMPORTANT SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THESE BRAVE HEROES WHICH ALLOW THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES TO LEAD FULL AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES. WHETHER IT'S A JANITOR WHOSE DAD SERVED IN VIETNAM, THE DOCTOR WHO'S THINKING ABOUT SPECIALIZING IN SPINAL CORD INJURY MEDICINE, OR THE STUDENT WHO HAS NO VETERANS IN HER FAMILY, OUR PRINT AND E-PUBLICATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO GET THEM ALL TO THINK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACING PARALYZED AND DISABLED VETERANS - AND THE MAKE HELPING VETERANS PART OF THEIR LIFE'S MISSION. FOR EXAMPLE, THROUGH OUR CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES AND COMPANION CONSUMER GUIDES - ON ISSUES AS DIVERSE AS THE EARLY ACUTE MANAGEMENT OF ADULTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY TO BLADDER MANAGEMENT - WE LEAD THE WAY IN PROVIDING "GOLD STANDARD" PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND SELF-HELP INFORMATION TO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND PATIENTS ALIKE. LAST YEAR ALONE, OUR GUIDELINES WERE USED BY THOUSANDS OF DOCTORS, NURSES, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND THERAPISTS, POTENTIALLY HELPING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY/DISEASES (SCI/D).
- $4.4 million spent. LEGISLATION AND ADVOCACY:ADVOCACY - PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA'S GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON POLICY PRIORITIES THAT AFFECT VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND DISORDERS. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, WE IMPROVE THE LIVES OF VETERANS WITH CATASTROPHIC DISABILITIES AND ALL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.THE LEGISLATIVE STAFF PRIMARILY FOCUS ON POLICY PRIORITIES UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEES. LEGISLATIVE STAFF WORK ON PROTECTING VA'S SPECIALIZED HEALTH CARE SERVICES, INCREASING ACCESS TO LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND DISORDERS, IMPROVING VETERANS' FINANCIAL SECURITY, AND ENHANCING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND DISORDERS.THE ADVOCACY STAFF FOCUS ON EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR MEMBERS AS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. ADVOCACY STAFF WORK TO DEFEND THE FREEDOMS OF VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES, INCLUDING SUPPORTING INCREASED TAX INCENTIVES TO HELP BUSINESSES COMPLY WITH DISABILITY RIGHTS LAWS AND OPPOSING ANY EFFORTS TO WEAKEN COMPLIANCE. STAFF ALSO CONTINUE TO SEEK IMPROVEMENTS IN AIR TRAVEL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO SURFACE TRANSPORTATION. IN ADDITION, STAFF ASSIST MEMBERS WITH FILING DISABILITY-RELATED COMPLAINTS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES AND WORK WITH CHAPTERS TO INCREASE COMPLIANCE WITH DISABILITY RIGHTS LAWS. ARCHITECTURE - PVA'S ARCHITECTURE TEAM ENSURES STATE-OF-THE-ART HEALING FACILITIES FOR VETERANS WITH A SPINAL CORD INJURY OR DISEASE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) HOSPITALS. PVA'S STAFF OF LICENSED ARCHITECTS WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE VA AND DESIGN TEAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THROUGHOUT EACH DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROCESS. THE ARCHITECTURE TEAM ALSO CONDUCTS TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS OF THE CONDITION OF EXISTING VA MEDICAL CENTERS.IN ADDITION TO HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, PVA'S ARCHITECTURE TEAM HAS BROUGHT ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE AND FURTHERED ACCESSIBLE DESIGN IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUILDING TYPES. PVA ARCHITECTS SERVE ON COMMITTEES WHICH WRITE ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS AND BUILDING CODES, AND WORK WITH CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR ALL. THEY ALSO HELP ADVANCE ACCESSIBLE DESIGN THROUGH TEACHING, PUBLIC SPEAKING, SEMINARS AND PUBLICATIONS WHICH DEAL WITH ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES AND APPROACHES THAT ELIMINATE BARRIERS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.EACH YEAR, PVA'S ARCHITECTS WORK DIRECTLY WITH OVER 100 HOMEOWNERS, BUILDING OWNERS, ARCHITECTS, AND CONTRACTORS REQUESTING HELP ON THEIR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES OR OTHERS WITH DISABILITIES. ALSO, THROUGH PRESENTING IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL SEMINARS, PVA ARCHITECTS ASSIST APPROXIMATELY 300 ATTENDEES PER YEAR WITH THEIR ACCESSIBLE HOME RENOVATION PROJECTS.PVA'S ARCHITECTS ALSO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND REVIEW ARCHITECTURAL PLANS, AS REQUESTED BY DIFFFERENT CHAPTERS OF PVA, TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACCESSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.
- $2.9 million spent. RESEARCH, CONSUMER AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA SUPPORTS RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND OTHER INITIATIVES THAT UNITE PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES TOWARD A SINGLE MISSION: IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND DISORDERS (SCI/D), AND DISEASES LIKE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) AND AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS). IN 2025, WORKING WITH EXPERT RESEARCHERS AND CLINICIANS FROM ACROSS THE US AND CANADA, PVA CONTINUES TO DEVELOP NEW CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES (CPG) ON MANAGEMENT OF SECONDARY HEALTH CONDITIONS AFTER SCI/D. THESE ARE IN ADDITION TO OUR PRESENT CADRE OF CPGS, COMPANION CONSUMER GUIDES AND OUR SELFCARE MANUAL YES, YOU CAN! THESE ARE DISSEMINATED NATIONALLY AND WORLDWIDE TO EDUCATE CLINICIANS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE CARE AND TREATMENT OF VETERANS AND OTHERS LIVING WITH SCI/D. IN 2025 WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP NEW RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PVA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION STAFF MANAGE THE PVA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, DEDICATED TO FUNDING RESEARCH TO FIND A CURE FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY. IN FY26 THE FOUNDATION AWARDED $1.1M IN NEW SPINAL CORD INJURY RESEARCH GRANTS IN THE AREAS OF BASIC SCIENCE, CLINICAL PRACTICE, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT AND FELLOWSHIPS. ADDED TO OUR OTHER ONGOING GRANTS, WE MANAGED $3.3 MILLION GRANTS IN 2025. IN 2025, THE PVA EDUCATION FOUNDATION FUNDED NEARLY $75,000 IN GRANTS TO MEET THIS MISSION. THE PROJECTS FUNDED VARY BROADLY IN TOPIC AND SCOPE, BUT EACH WILL HAVE AN IMPACT IN MOVING INFORMATION TO EDUCATION FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE AND ULTIMATELY HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR VETERANS AND OTHERS LIVING WITH SCI, AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS. WE MANAGED $315,000 IN GRANTS IN 2025.IN 2025, WE WORKED TO SERVE THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF WOMEN VETERANS WITH SCI/D. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDED MONTHLY WEBINARS, SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDING A WOMEN VETERANS EMPOWERMENT RETREAT HELD IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN, FEATURING SELF-ADVOCACY AND RESILIENCE TRAINING AND COLLECTING INFORMATION FROM WOMEN VETERANS ABOUT THEIR NEEDS.
- $3.3 million spent. SPORTS AND RECREATION:PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA (PVA) OFFERS A DIVERSE RANGE OF ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARALYZED VETERANS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE PARACYCLING, BASS FISHING, BILLIARDS, BOWLING, RUGBY, SHOOTING SPORTS, OUR ANNUAL NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES, AND MORE. THESE ACTIVITIES EMPOWER PARTICIPANTS TO SHOWCASE THEIR ABILITIES, ENGAGE WITH BOTH DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED PEERS, AND CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE SIMILAR CHALLENGES.PVA'S SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS CHALLENGE STEREOTYPES, INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY, CONTRIBUTING TO A MORE WELCOMING AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1955.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.