Paralyzed Veterans of America
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported a significant diversion of its assets during the year.
- It reported an excess benefit transaction with an insider.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA, A CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1946, HAS DEVELOPED A UNIQUE EXPERTISE ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES INVOLVING THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF OUR MEMBERS - VETERANS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SPINAL CORD INJURY OR DYSFUNCTION.PVA WILL USE THAT EXPERTISE TO BE THE LEADING ADVOCATE FOR: - QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR OUR MEMBERS, - RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ADDRESSING SPINAL CORD INJURY AND DYSFUNCTION, - BENEFITS AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF OUR MEMBERS' MILITARY SERVICE, - CIVIL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAXIMIZE THE INDEPENDENCE OF OUR MEMBERS. TO ENABLE PARALYZED VETERANS TO CONTINUE TO HONOR THIS COMMITMENT, WE MUST RECRUIT AND RETAIN MEMBERS WHO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, ENERGY, DEDICATION, AND PASSION NECESSARY TO MANAGE THE ORGANIZATION AND ENSURE ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO SUSTAIN THE PROGRAMS ESSENTIAL FOR PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION.
- Income
- $251,015
- Spending
- $314,731
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 25.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $77,951, director/gov't relations 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 25.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
- $233,648 spent. THE PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA NORTH CENTRAL CHAPTER CONTINUALLY WORKS TO BE A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR HEALTH CARE, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, BENEFITS, AND CIVIL RIGHTS OPPORTUNITIES. THREE OF THE BENEFITS INCLUDE A FISHING EVENT, TRAPSHOOT EVENT, AND PHEASANT HUNT. ALL OF THE EVENTS ARE PUT ON WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS TO HELP PARALYZED VETERANS EXPERIENCE THESE ACTIVITIES DESPITE THEIR INJURY LEAVING THEM IN A WHEELCHAIR.
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
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 September 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 February 2013.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Paralyzed Veterans of America (Washington, DC), EIN 13-1946868. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.