Blinded Veterans 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
Blinded Veterans Association does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
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.
BVA does not meet this Standard because:
- Although it has produced a written effectiveness assessment report, the report did not include recommendations for future actions.
Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio)
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.
BVA does not meet this Standard because:
- According to its audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, the organization spent $864,439 or 56% of its total expenses on programs.
Standard 10 (Ending Net Assets)
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.
BVA does not meet this Standard because:
- According to its audited financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2024, the organization's total unrestricted net assets were $13,261,702, or 8.65 times the charity's total budgeted expenses of $1,533,425.
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.
BVA does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2025 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses by each major program (veterans service program, annual convention, team BVA, and education).
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.
BVA does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not provide an annual report for the year ended June 30, 2023, upon request from BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
Blinded Veterans Association meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to serve as ambassadors and mentors for all veterans and their families coping with sight loss."
Year, State Incorporated:
1945, DC
Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) reports that it focuses on the issues, advocacy and mentorship vital to all veterans and families coping with sight loss regardless of service connection. The organization reports that it has programs in in the areas of veterans claims assistance, health rehabilitation, adaptive recreation activities, scholarships and awards, assistive technology, ambassador training, legislative advocacy, and veterans care review evaluations.
For the year ended June 30, 2024, Blinded Veterans Association's program expenses were:
Veterans service program: $588,408
Annual convention: $177,310
Education: $98,721
Total Program Expenses: $864,439
Chief Executive
Donald D. Overton, Jr., National Executive Director
Compensation*
$126,284
Chair of the Board
Paul Mimms
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
National President (Navy Veteran)
Board Size
9
Paid Staff Size
12
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Radio
Fundraising costs were 27% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,186,918, 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 Blinded Veterans Association's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Interest and dividends, net | $424,892 |
| Unrealized gain on investments | $676,027 |
| Realized loss on investments | $-695 |
| Apportionment of life membership fund investment income | $12,693 |
| Contributions and grants | $1,049,921 |
| Annual convention | $136,997 |
| Total Income | $2,299,835 |
Programs: 56% Fundraising: 21% Administrative: 44%
| Total Income | $2,299,835 |
| Total expenses: | $1,533,425 |
| Program expenses | $864,439 |
| Fundraising expenses | $324,975 |
| Administrative expenses | $668,986 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $766,410 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $12,754,910 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $13,521,320 |
| Total Liabilities | $346,420 |
| Total Assets | $13,867,740 |
Note: In the above finanical section, "other changes in net assets" represents an apportionment of life membership fund investment income.
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