Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Blinded Veterans Association
Address:	477 H Street NW
	Washington, DC 20001
Phone:	202-371-8880 800-669-7079
Web Address:	www.bva.org

BVA meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

BVA operates a field service program comprising of blinded veterans who travel around the United States finding and counseling blinded veterans and their families. These field service representatives link veterans with medical and rehabilitation services, job training and placement, and other benefits. BVA also produces the BVA Bulletin, a quarterly publication containing profiles of member accomplishments, legislative updates, and other news of interest to members. Through funding from the Kathern F. Guber Scholarship program, BVA annually awards scholarships to spouses and dependent children of blinded veterans. BVA's regional offices offer blinded veterans and their families opportunities for recreation, social activities, and support groups. Volunteers also set up and staff service offices in VA medical centers and clinics. Some ($895,205 or 22%) of BVA's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

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

Education	2,887,774
Field service	1,184,935
Total Program Expenses:	$4,072,709

Chief Executive : Thomas H. Miller, Executive Director

Compensation*:

$118,506

Chair of the Board: Roy W. Kekahuna
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Coach/Advisor

Board Size: 11

Paid Staff Size: 32

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

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, planned giving, and Internet appeals.

Fund raising costs were 25% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,814,243, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

BVA incurred joint costs of $1,841,607 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs, $900,043 was allocated to fund raising expenses, $895,205 was allocated to program expenses, and $46,359 was allocated to administrative expenses.

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.

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

Source of Funds
Contributions	4,814,243
Other	231,008
Investment return	-1,127,230
Total Income	$3,918,021

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 76%  Fund Raising: 22%  Administrative: 2%

Total income				$3,918,021
	Program expenses			$4,072,709
	Fund raising expenses			1,193,066
	Administrative expenses			80,503
Total expenses				$5,346,278
Expenses in Excess of Income				(1,428,257)
Beginning net assets				8,924,650
Ending net assets				7,496,393
Total liabilities				247,146
Total assets				$7,743,539

Note: According to BVA's audited financial statements, the organization received $1,247,987 in contributed air time.