National Association of Veterans Research and Education Foundations
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
NAVREF'S MISSION IS TO ADVANCE THE SUCCESS OF THE VA-AFFILIATED NONPROFIT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CORPORATIONS.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 5.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 70%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $168,667, coo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 63% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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 September 30, 2024, 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 (4)
- $525,557 spent. EDUCATION: EDUCATION IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF NAVREF'S VISION, MISSION AND VALUES. NAVREF OFFERS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ITS MEMBERS. THESE INCLUDE: (1) TRAINING WORKSHOPS- TYPICALLY 2-DAY EVENTS FOCUSED ON TOPICS OF INTEREST, (2) A MONTHLY WEBINAR SERIES- A MEMBER- DRIVEN ONLINE SERIES THAT DELIVERS EDUCATIONAL CONTACT EACH MONTH TO ADDRESS EVOLVING NPC-RELATED TOPICS AND PRESENT SERVICES TO MEMBERS, AND (3) REGULAR FORUM CALLS - BIWEEKLY VIDEO CALLS WHERE MEMBERS CAN DISCUSS ANY EMERGING CONCERN OR ISSUE THEY ARE FACING LOCALLY AT THEIR NPC. IN ADDITION, NAVREF OFFERS MEMBERS FREE BEST PRACTICE CONSULTATION SERVICES WHICH INVOLVES AN INTENSE PREPARATORY REVIEW OF BYLAWS, STRATEGY, POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND FINANCES FOLLOWED BY A SITE VISIT TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS WITH THE NPC'S EXECUTIVES AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE CENTERPIECE OF NAVREF'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE. THE 3-DAY EVENT AVERAGES 200 ATTENDEES FROM MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS AND FOCUSES ON THE MOST RELEVANT TOPICS RELATED TO ADMINISTRATION, GOVERNANCE, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES, AND REVENUE DEVELOPMENT. PLENARY SPEAKERS FROM THE U.S. CONGRESS, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, AND THE LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY PROVIDE KEEN INSIGHT ON DEVELOPING TRENDS AND INITIATIVES. NAVREF ALSO COORDINATES WITH OUR MEMBERS AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL CONTENT FOR MEMBER EMPLOYEES AND VA-AFFILIATED PERSONNEL AT NO COST TO THE MEMBERS. EDUCATION: EDUCATION IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF NAVREF'S VISION, MISSION AND VALUES. NAVREF OFFERS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ITS MEMBERS. THESE INCLUDE: (1) TRAINING WORKSHOPS- TYPICALLY 2-DAY EVENTS FOCUSED ON TOPICS OF INTEREST, (2) A MONTHLY WEBINAR SERIES- A MEMBER- DRIVEN ONLINE SERIES THAT DELIVERS EDUCATIONAL CONTACT EACH MONTH TO ADDRESS EVOLVING NPC-RELATED TOPICS AND PRESENT SERVICES TO MEMBERS, AND (3) REGULAR FORUM CALLS - BIWEEKLY VIDEO CALLS WHERE MEMBERS CAN DISCUSS ANY EMERGING CONCERN OR ISSUE THEY ARE FACING LOCALLY AT THEIR NPC. IN ADDITION, NAVREF OFFERS MEMBERS FREE BEST PRACTICE CONSULTATION SERVICES WHICH INVOLVES AN INTENSE PREPARATORY REVIEW OF BYLAWS, STRATEGY, POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND FINANCES FOLLOWED BY A SITE VISIT TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS WITH THE NPC'S EXECUTIVES AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE CENTERPIECE OF NAVREF'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE. THE 3-DAY EVENT AVERAGES 200 ATTENDEES FROM MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS AND FOCUSES ON THE MOST RELEVANT TOPICS RELATED TO ADMINISTRATION, GOVERNANCE, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES, AND REVENUE DEVELOPMENT. PLENARY SPEAKERS FROM THE U.S. CONGRESS, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, AND THE LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY PROVIDE KEEN INSIGHT ON DEVELOPING TRENDS AND INITIATIVES. NAVREF ALSO COORDINATES WITH OUR MEMBERS AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL CONTENT FOR MEMBER EMPLOYEES AND VA-AFFILIATED PERSONNEL AT NO COST TO THE MEMBERS.
- $490,471 spent. MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS & SERVICES: NAVREF ENSURES THE SUCCESS OF ITS MEMBERS BY PROVIDING BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT SERVICES. MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REACH OUT TO NAVREF STAFF BY PHONE OR EMAIL FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT. INFORMATION IS ALSO DISSEMINATED TO MEMBERS VIA THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE, EMAIL, AND THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER PRODUCED BY STAFF. THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS ARTICLES, COLUMNS, AND REMINDERS KEEPING ALL MEMBERS UP TO DATE ON CURRENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR, THE CLINICAL RESEARCH INDUSTRY, AND THE VETERAN RESEARCH COMMUNITY. OVER ITS 32-YEAR HISTORY, NAVREF HAS DEVELOPED CONTACTS WITH NUMEROUS EXPERTS IN NPC GOVERNANCE, FINANCES, HUMAN RESOURCES, GRANTS MANAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, AND RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION. MANY OF THESE EXPERTS MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO NAVREF AND ITS MEMBERS TO ADDRESS EMERGING ISSUES. IN KEEPING WITH ITS VISION TO PROMOTE PARTNERSHIPS TO ADVANCE VETERAN HEALTH, NAVREF PROVIDES CLINICAL TRIAL MATCHMAKING SERVICES WHICH CONNECT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS WITH CLINICAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS. NAVREF STAFF ACTIVELY PURSUE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING RESEARCH STUDIES AT VA MEDICAL CENTERS. NAVREF NEGOTIATES WITH VENDORS TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS AT GROUP DISCOUNTS. MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS & SERVICES: NAVREF ENSURES THE SUCCESS OF ITS MEMBERS BY PROVIDING BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT SERVICES. MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REACH OUT TO NAVREF STAFF BY PHONE OR EMAIL FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT. INFORMATION IS ALSO DISSEMINATED TO MEMBERS VIA THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE, EMAIL, AND THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER PRODUCED BY STAFF. THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS ARTICLES, COLUMNS, AND REMINDERS KEEPING ALL MEMBERS UP TO DATE ON CURRENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR, THE CLINICAL RESEARCH INDUSTRY, AND THE VETERAN RESEARCH COMMUNITY. OVER ITS 32-YEAR HISTORY, NAVREF HAS DEVELOPED CONTACTS WITH NUMEROUS EXPERTS IN NPC GOVERNANCE, FINANCES, HUMAN RESOURCES, GRANTS MANAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, AND RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION. MANY OF THESE EXPERTS MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO NAVREF AND ITS MEMBERS TO ADDRESS EMERGING ISSUES. IN KEEPING WITH ITS VISION TO PROMOTE PARTNERSHIPS TO ADVANCE VETERAN HEALTH, NAVREF PROVIDES CLINICAL TRIAL MATCHMAKING SERVICES WHICH CONNECT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS WITH CLINICAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS. NAVREF STAFF ACTIVELY PURSUE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING RESEARCH STUDIES AT VA MEDICAL CENTERS. NAVREF NEGOTIATES WITH VENDORS TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS AT GROUP DISCOUNTS.
- $372,849 spent. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: IN COLLABORATION WITH THE VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, NAVREF INITIATED THE ACCESS TO CLINICAL TRIALS FOR VETERANS (ACT FOR VETERANS) PROGRAM IN 2017. THIS WAS A MULTIYEAR EFFORT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE VETERANS WITH GREATER ACCESS TO INDUSTRY SPONSORED CLINICAL TRIALS AND MAKE VA A PARTNER OF CHOICE FOR INDUSTRY SPONSORED TRIALS. ONE CRITICAL OUTCOME OF THIS EFFORT WAS THE LAUNCH OF NAVREF'S INDUSTRY PARTNER CONSORTIUM IN 2021. THE INDUSTRY PARTNER CONSORTIUM SERVES AS A PLATFORM FOR INDUSTRY SPONSORS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER EXTERNAL PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY, COLLABORATE, AND OVERCOME CHALLENGES WITHIN VA RESEARCH THAT HINDER OUR NATION'S VETERANS FROM ACCESSING CUTTING-EDGE CLINICAL TRIAL OPPORTUNITIES. THE CONSORTIUM CONVENES REGULARLY AND REPRESENTS STAKEHOLDERS FROM A VARIETY OF HEALTH CARE INDUSTRIES. ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTS OF THE INDUSTRY PARTNER CONSORTIUM HAS BEEN THE JOINT ESTABLISHMENT WITH VA OF THE PARTNERED RESEARCH PROGRAM (PRP), A DEDICATED RESOURCE FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING MULTISITE TRIALS WITHINWITHIN VA. NAVREF ALSO OFFERS NO-COST CLINICAL TRIALS CONSULTATIONS TO ALL RESEARCH PARTNERS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN BRINGING MORE CLINICAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES TO VETERANS. THROUGH REGUALR OUTREACH, NAVREF IS HEIGHTENING AWARENESS OF VA RESEARCH AND THE NONPROFITS AND EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER AND COLLABORATE TO BENEFIT VETERANS' HEALTH. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: IN COLLABORATION WITH THE VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, NAVREF INITIATED THE ACCESS TO CLINICAL TRIALS FOR VETERANS (ACT FOR VETERANS) PROGRAM IN 2017. THIS WAS A MULTIYEAR EFFORT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE VETERANS WITH GREATER ACCESS TO INDUSTRY SPONSORED CLINICAL TRIALS AND MAKE VA A PARTNER OF CHOICE FOR INDUSTRY SPONSORED TRIALS. ONE CRITICAL OUTCOME OF THIS EFFORT WAS THE LAUNCH OF NAVREF'S INDUSTRY PARTNER CONSORTIUM IN 2021. THE INDUSTRY PARTNER CONSORTIUM SERVES AS A PLATFORM FOR INDUSTRY SPONSORS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER EXTERNAL PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY, COLLABORATE, AND OVERCOME CHALLENGES WITHIN VA RESEARCH THAT HINDER OUR NATION'S VETERANS FROM ACCESSING CUTTING-EDGE CLINICAL TRIAL OPPORTUNITIES. THE CONSORTIUM CONVENES REGULARLY AND REPRESENTS STAKEHOLDERS FROM A VARIETY OF HEALTH CARE INDUSTRIES. ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTS OF THE INDUSTRY PARTNER CONSORTIUM HAS BEEN THE JOINT ESTABLISHMENT WITH VA OF THE PARTNERED RESEARCH PROGRAM (PRP), A DEDICATED RESOURCE FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING MULTISITE TRIALS WITHINWITHIN VA. NAVREF ALSO OFFERS NO-COST CLINICAL TRIALS CONSULTATIONS TO ALL RESEARCH PARTNERS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN BRINGING MORE CLINICAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES TO VETERANS. THROUGH REGUALR OUTREACH, NAVREF IS HEIGHTENING AWARENESS OF VA RESEARCH AND THE NONPROFITS AND EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER AND COLLABORATE TO BENEFIT VETERANS' HEALTH.
- $147,192 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1993.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.