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Paralyzed Veterans of America

EIN 23-7099908 · Newark, DE

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PVA IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR VETERANS WITH PARALYSIS DUE TO SPINAL CORD INJURY OR DISEASE AND TO THE PROTECTION OF THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR MEMBERS AND ALL PARALYZED VETERANS THROUGH EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, MEDICAL RESEARCH, AND PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND RECREATIONAL THERAPY

Income
$391,683
Spending
$445,901
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
5
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$78,829, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (2)
  1. $144,192 spent. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS AND ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS: COLONIAL PVA SUPPORTS VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES OR DISORDERS BY CONNECTING THEM TO VITAL BENEFITS, RECREATION AND REHABILITATION OPPORTUNITIES, AND A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH VA CAREGIVERS AND FACILITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR MEMBERS. THE HOSKINS EDUCATION AND REEMPLOYMENT TRAINING (HEART) PROGRAM, LAUNCHED IN 2020, PROVIDES A 24 WEEK PAID FELLOWSHIP FOR MEMBERS, SPOUSES, AND CAREGIVERS, OFFERING HANDS ON EXPERIENCE AND PERSONALIZED CAREER GUIDANCE FROM A VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR. OUR MS PROGRAM OFFERS WEEKLY OUTREACH AND MONTHLY VIRTUAL MEETINGS FOR MEMBERS WITH MS, SUPPLEMENTED BY INFORMATION FROM THE BALTIMORE VA MEDICAL CENTER'S MS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE. THE WOMEN VETERANS PROGRAM CREATES A SUPPORTIVE SPACE FOR WOMEN TO CONNECT, SHARE EXPERIENCES, AND ADVOCATE FOR EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, BENEFITS, AND EMPLOYMENT. THE SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAM PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES-INCLUDING PARACYCLING, FISHING, BILLIARDS, BOWLING, RUGBY, SHOOTING SPORTS, AND GRANTS TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES. THESE PROGRAMS EMPOWER PARTICIPANTS, FOSTER COMMUNITY WITH BOTH DISABLED AND ABLE BODIED PEERS, AND PROMOTE INCLUSION BY CHALLENGING STEREOTYPES AND RAISING AWARENESS. THE MENTORING PROGRAM ASSISTS NEWLY INJURED OR DIAGNOSED VETERANS AND ENCOURAGES EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT AND TEACHES SKILLS FOR COPING WITH A NEW DISABILITY.
  2. $196,609 spent. PUBLIC AFFAIRS: ADVOCACY IN THE COMMUNITY IS A MAJOR, ONGOING CONCERN. WORKING WITH OTHER VETERAN AND DISABILITY GROUPS INCREASES PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE POTENTIAL OF PARALYZED AND DISABLED PERSONS IN THE WORK PLACE AND IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES THE ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS PROGRAM: LAUNCHED IN 1985, THIS PROGRAM IS VITAL TO THE DISABLED COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED AIDS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, SUCH AS WHEELCHAIRS, PROSTHETIC AIDS, RAMPS, WHEELCHAIR HOME AND BATHROOM MODIFICATIONS AND VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS. THESE ITEMS ARE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS WITH LOW INCOME WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE ITEMS THEY DESPERATELY NEED. THE CHAPTER RECEIVES A GRANT FROM THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND SUPPLEMENTS THE PROGRAM WITH GIFTS FROM PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS TO ENSURE THAT ALL PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, REGARDLESS OF THEIR VETERAN OR NON-VETERAN STATUS, WILL RECEIVE NEEDED ASSISTANCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.