BBB Wise Giving Report for
United Spinal Association

BBB Wise Giving Report issued May 2011
BBB Wise Giving Report expires May 2013


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a Seal Holder. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: United Spinal Association
Address: 75-20 Astoria Boulevard
  Jackson Heights, NY 11370
Phone: 718-803-3782
Web Address: www.unitedspinal.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Formerly known as:Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association

Year, State Incorporated: 1947, New York
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "to enhance the lives of all Americans with spinal cord injury and disorders including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), and post-polio, by assuring quality health care, promoting research, and advocating for civil rights and independence."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

United Spinal Association (United Spinal) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

Programs, including Kids Sports Spectaculars, Independence Expos and Disability Leadership and Policy Summits each focus upon improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Through programs, resource information and referrals, and public policy initiatives, in cooperation with cross-disability organizations, United Spinal advocates for equal rights and for access to public and private programs and services. Some ($3,142,589 or 31%) of United Spinal Association's Veteran, member, and public affairs program activities are carried out in conjuction with fund raising appeals.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, United Spinal's program expenses were:

  
Veteran, member and public affairs 10,212,207
Wheelchair medic 1,486,687
Grants and research 214,863
Total Program Expenses: $11,913,757
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Paul J. Tobin, President and CEO
Compensation*:
 $156,466

Highest Paid Executive: James Weisman, Senior Vice President & General Counsel
Compensation*: $188,351

Chair of the Board: Lex Frieden
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Professor of Health Informatics, Professor of Rehabilitation, University of Texas at Houston and Professor of Rehabilitation, Pr

Board Size: 19

Paid Staff Size: 53

*July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, grant proposals, internet appeals, planned giving, cause-related marketing
Fundraising costs were 23% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $15,702,672, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
United Spinal incurred joint costs of $6,530,743 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $3,142,589 was allocated to program expenses, $3,030,744 was allocated to fundraising expenses, and $357,410 was allocated to administrative expenses.
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Tax Status

               

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

               

The following information is based on United Spinal's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 11,149,713
Donated services and materials 2,911,500
Program services income 2,214,118
Bequests 1,641,459
Other income 133,542
Investment income -42,794
Total Income $18,007,538


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 70%  Fund Raising: 21%  Administrative: 9% 

Total income   $18,007,538
  Program expenses $11,913,757
  Fund raising expenses 3,583,440
  Administrative expenses 1,502,227
 
Total expenses   $16,999,424
Income in Excess of Expenses   1,008,114
Beginning net assets   (518,189)
Ending net assets   489,925
Total liabilities   3,755,580
Total assets   $4,245,505


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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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