Charity Report

  • Issued: January 2025
  • Expires: January 2026

Gateway Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

314-427-0393

1311 Lindbergh Plaza Ctr
Saint Louis, MO 63132-1630

http://www.gatewaypva.org
Accredited Charity

314-427-0393

1311 Lindbergh Plaza Ctr
Saint Louis, MO 63132-1630

http://www.gatewaypva.org
Accredited Charity

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight

    Oversight of Operations and Staff: Standard 1

    Description
    Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fundraising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Board Size

    Number of Board Members: Standard 2

    Description
    Soliciting organizations shall have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Board Meetings

    Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings: Standard 3

    Description
    An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Board Compensation

    Compensated Board Members: Standard 4

    Description
    Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Conflict of Interest

    Conflict of Interest: Standard 5

    Description
    No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm's length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.

    The organization meets this standard.

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy

    Board Policy on Effectiveness: Standard 6

    Description
    Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Effectiveness Report

    Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness: Standard 7

    Description
    Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

    The organization meets this standard.

Finances

  1. Program Expenses

    Program Service Expense Ratio: Standard 8

    Description
    Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Fundraising Expenses

    Fundraising Expense Ratio: Standard 9

    Description
    Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fundraising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fundraising efforts.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Accumulating Funds

    Ending Net Assets: Standard 10

    Description
    Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Audit Report

    Financial Statements: Standard 11

    Description
    Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown

    Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses: Standard 12

    Description
    Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Accurate Expense Reporting

    Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements: Standard 13

    Description
    Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

  7. Budget Plan

    Budget: Standard 14

    Description
    Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fundraising, and administration.

    The organization meets this standard.

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials

    Misleading Appeals: Standard 15

    Description
    Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Annual Report

    Annual Report: Standard 16

    Description
    Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Website Disclosures

    Web Site Disclosures: Standard 17

    Description
    Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Donor Privacy

    Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy: Standard 18

    Description
    Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures

    Cause Related Marketing: Standard 19

    Description
    Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Complaints

    Complaints: Standard 20

    Description
    Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better Business Bureaus about fundraising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.

    The organization meets this standard.

Conclusion

Gateway Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

  • Year, State Incorporated

    1976, MO

  • Stated Purpose

    To be the leading advocate for: *Quality health care for its members, *Research and education addressing spinal cord injury and dysfunction, *Benefits available as a result of its members' military service, and *Civil rights and opportunities that maximize the independence of its members.


  • Also Known As:

    Paralyzed Veterans of America Gateway Chapter

Programs

The Gateway Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America operateseight programs and provides four grant opportunities to assist veterans with aspinal cord injury or disease to be as independent as possible. The programsinclude Patient Services, Membership, Chapter Hospital Liaison, Sports andRecreation, Transportation, Advocacy, Education and Fundraising. Patient Services - Gateway members serve aspeer counselors to newly injured or diagnosed spinal cord disease veterans in a VA approved Peer Counseling Program. Members with years of experience livingwith spinal cord injury or diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, match up with thenewly injured or diagnosed veterans.Additionally it funds monthlyluncheons for the 32 inpatients and numerous outpatients at the JeffersonBarracks SCI/D Unit, which include patients, their families and unit staff. Atan average luncheon, it will serve 80-100 people. Gateway also funds holiday dinnersfor the inpatients. Membership - Membership in the Gateway ChapterPVA is free of charge. It currently has a membership of over 600, but arealways accepting new applications. To be qualified for membership, you must bean honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States ofAmerica with a spinal cord injury or disease. Its National Office employsService Officers who assist members at the local level with VA benefitsapplications and determinations. Thesemembership grants are explained at the end of this narrative. The GatewayChapter also publishes a bi-monthly magazine to inform members about VAbenefits/program changes as well as other Chapter functions. Chapter Hospital Liaison - Ensuring quality medical care for its members is the most critical objective of the organization and alwaysproves to be the most challenging. That is the primary reason why Gateway has avoluntary Chapter Hospital Committee comprised of members who advocate for qualityhealthcare for veterans with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) at VAmedical centers. Sports and Recreation - The members of the GatewayParalyzed Veterans of America are actively involved with many sportsactivities. Its members have participated in swimming,quad rugby,handcycling, archery, air rifle, bowling, basketball, track and field events,fishing, billiards, table tennis, slalom, sled hockey, weight lifting, adaptivesnow and water skiing. Three of the most popular activities are the annualWinter Sports Clinic held in Snowmass, Colorado, the National VeteransWheelchair Games held every year in a different location, and the YMCA TroutLodge Adventure. The Chapter can help provide our members with funding toattend these three events, as well as VA recreation events. Transportation - The Gateway Chapter provides freetransportation for our veterans to local VA Medical Centers for treatments andto various other activities. It also transports area veteran members toactivities in the community like trapshooting, monthly luncheons at theJefferson Barracks Spinal Cord Unit, personal errands and our fall picnic. Gateway is currently transporting hospitalized spinal cord patients, who are able togo, to stores and activities near the Jefferson Barracks spinal cord unit. It employs two part-time drivers, who work 4-5 days per week. These grantsincluded two $35,000 grants for the initial purchase of an accessible vehicleand $10,000 grants to modify existing vehicles. Advocacy - The prime focus of the Advocacyand Government Relations program is to improve the quality of life of ourmembers. This is achieved through active involvement with local, state, andnational and state legislation, partnership with other PVA Chapters andveterans service organizations, an active relationship with VA Medical Centerstaff and therapists, and continuous research and community involvement.The advocacy for accessibility included both public andprivate facilities and locations to include parking, walkways and paths.Gateway board members sat on accessibility review groups for the recentlyrenovated Arch/River City project, the renovation of the St. Louis SoldiersMemorial, and the Gateway president is now part of an accessibility reviewgroup for the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Education - Every year the Gateway Chaptercontributes to the national organization's research fund. Both organizationsfollow the National Institute of Health research guidelines. It also helps fundcontinuing education for spinal cord staff when we believe that training willimprove the care of its membership. As part of its education program, the organization oftenspeaks with civic groups and schools, providing firsthand accounts on "living life to the fullest" with spinal cord injury or disease. Fundraising - All Chapters of the ParalyzedVeterans of America are required to have a fundraising program It receives nofederal funding to support operations. Gateway complies with Missouri'sstringent no call law that authorizes them to call only existing and past donors. Therefore, when you donate to Gateway PVA, ALL of your money stays at the local chapter. Gateway PVA is a St. Louis Better Business Bureau Honor Roll Charity;we meet all 20 of the requisite standards. We are also a Guidestar PlatinumLevel, highest level, participant. While still paying utilities, salaries, andother overhead, 90% of what we spend goes directly to our programs. As statedearlier, the Gateway Chapter also provides four grant opportunities throughoutthe year. They are the Home Accessibility Grant, Hand Controls Grant, GeneratorGrant and Accessible Vehicle Grant. Home Accessibility Grant – The Gateway Chapter’s year-roundhome accessibility grant is available in the amount of $10,000 to all members. Thisgrant is available only after a member has exhausted all other available VAfunding. Hand Controls Grant - Non-service connected members,after exhausting any eligible modifications through the VA, may receive fundingfrom the Gateway Chapter to obtain and have hand controls installed throughthis year-round grant. These grants are usually around $2,000. Generator Grant - The announcement of this annualgrant opening will be made in the newsletter, email and social media, typicallyaround the summer. This grant is for the amount of $5500 or less. Grants can beapplied to a portable generator (which should cost less than the $5500) or gotoward an automatic permanent home generator (which will cost more than thatgrant amount). Accessible Vehicle Grant - The Gateway Chapter will award annually, $10,000 grants formembers to use in trading in their existing accessible vehicle to purchase anewer model, or a $35,000 grant for first time vehicle buyers (number of grantsgiven are dependent on the financial status of the Chapter each year). These grantswill be used for cost over and above any VA funds. Each year numerousapplications are received and once the individual is determined eligible, namesare randomly drawn and the winners are notified.

For the year ended June 30, 2024, Gateway Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America program expenses were:

Programs $566,690
Program Expenses $566,690

Governance & Staff

  • CEO

    Chris Blanchard, Executive Director

  • Board Chair

    Rose Ganz, Community Volunteer

  • Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

  • Board Size

    12

  • Paid Staff Size

    3

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:
Invitations to fundraising events, Internet, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.).

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 4.51%

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.


Financial

The following information is based on Gateway Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America's Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024

Source of Funds
PVA Grant $155,795
Contributions $109,873
Investment Income $79,964
Rental Revenue $79,891
Special Events $22,916
Other Receipts $11,300
Total Income $459,739

Breakdown of Expenses

Total Income $459,739
Total Expenses: $630,699
Program Expenses $566,690
Fundraising Expenses $13,005
Administrative Expenses $51,004
Other Expenses $0
Expenses in Excess of Income $170,960
Beginning Net Assets $1,448,706
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $1,277,746
Total Liabilities $16,106
Total Assets $1,293,852

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  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 International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

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