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Paralyzed Veterans of America

EIN 95-6089203 · Long Beach, CA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO MAXIMIZE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ITS MEMBERS AND ALL PEOPLE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND DISEASES AS A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHCARE, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, VETERANS' BENEFITS AND RIGHTS, ACCESSIBILITY AND THE REMOVAL OF ARCHITECHTURAL BARRIERS, SPORTS PROGRAMS, AND DISABILITY RIGHTS.

Income
$359,496
Spending
$423,959
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
33.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$104,615, executive di

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 61% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 33.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
  1. $59,114 spent. IN ADDITION TO ASSISTING MEMBERS WITH GETTING PROPER DISABILITY RATINGS AND CORRESPONDING BENEFITS, THE MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICE PROGRAMS ENSURE MEMBERS ARE BEING CHECKED IN ON, GETTING THE MEDS THEY NEEED, AND COORDINATE OTHER INTERACTIONS WITH THE HOSPITAL. THE PROGRAMS ALSO PROVIDE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP GRANTS TO MEMBERS IN NEED.
  2. $118,717 spent. THE LIAISON PROGRAM PROVIDES MANY ADDITIONAL IN-PATIENT AND OUT-PATIENT SERVICES TO VETERANS UTILIZING THE SPINAL CORD INJURY WARD AT THE VA HOSPITAL. THEY ARE FIRST TO OFFER THEIR SERVICES TO STAFF REQUESTS THAT WILL MAKE HOSPITAL STAYS FOR PATIENTS ABOVE AND BEYOND NORMAL PATIENT EXPERIENCES.
  3. $41,384 spent. THE COMMUNICATION PROGRAM PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH WRITTEN FORMS OF COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING A WEBSIT AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PRODUCES A BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO MEMBERS.
  4. $77,602 spent. THE SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAM PROVIDES TOP TIER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL 650 MEMBERS TO GET OUT AND EXPERIENCE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMER FROM MOVIES AND CONCERT TICKETS TO TANDEM SKY DIVING AND ANYTHING IMAGINABLE IN BETWEEN. THROUGH THE ADVOCACY PROGRAM THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR NOT ONLY MEMBER RIGHTS, BUT THE ENTIRE DISABLED COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
  5. THE SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAM PROVIDES TOP TIER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL 650 MEMBERS TO GET OUT AND EXPERIENCE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMER FROM MOVIES AND CONCERT TICKETS TO TANDEM SKY DIVING AND ANYTHING IMAGINABLE IN BETWEEN. THROUGH THE ADVOCACY PROGRAM THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR NOT ONLY MEMBER RIGHTS, BUT THE ENTIRE DISABLED COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 7, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of June 30, 2006. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    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.