United Spinal Association
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
United Spinal Association does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
USA does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2024 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
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, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
USA does not meet this Standard because the 2023 annual report did not include:
- The organization's financial information for the year ended June 30, 2023.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 15
United Spinal Association meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to empower and advocate for people with spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D) and all wheelchair users to achieve their highest quality of life."
Year, State Incorporated:
1947, NY
Also Known As:
VetsFirst
United Spinal Association (USA) reports that it supports people with SCI/D and all wheelchair users by advocating for enforcement and enhancement of disability rights, including access to healthcare, mobility equipment, public transportation, rehabilitation, community services and support, and the built environment. The organization also provides resources on employment, affordable housing, transportation, health care, home and community-based independent living, education, peer support, technology, and leisure and recreation. In 2023, USA states that it had more than 60,000 members in its 45 chapters, along with nearly 200 support groups, and more than 100 rehabilitation facilities and hospital partners.
For the year ended June 30, 2022, United Spinal Association's program expenses were:
| Program services | $10,390,719 |
| Total Program Expenses | $10,390,719 |
Chief Executive
Vincenzo Piscopo, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$207,147
Chair of the Board
Thomas Aiello
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, MARCH Marketing
Board Size
25
Paid Staff Size
48
*2021 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Planned giving arrangements
USA incurred joint costs of $1,129,664 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $564,169 was allocated to program expenses, $564,039 was allocated to fundraising expenses, and $1,456 was allocated to administrative expenses.
Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $10,946,296, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
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 United Spinal Association's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2022.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $6,014,466 |
| In-kind contributions | $3,884,313 |
| Accessibility service income | $2,340,410 |
| Special events, net | $433,455 |
| Bequests | $373,677 |
| Publication income | $281,831 |
| Mineral rights income | $240,385 |
| Other income | $45,095 |
| Investment income, net | $-52,234 |
| Total Income | $13,561,398 |
Programs: 76% Fundraising: 11% Administrative: 13%
| Total Income | $13,561,398 |
| Total expenses: | $13,756,701 |
| Program expenses | $10,390,719 |
| Fundraising expenses | $1,552,606 |
| Administrative expenses | $1,813,376 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-195,303 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $7,654,130 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $7,458,827 |
| Total Liabilities | $688,371 |
| Total Assets | $8,147,198 |
Note: According to USA's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2022, the organization received $3,884,313 in donated public service announcements ($3,663,541) and facilities ($220,772).
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 the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance