Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
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
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund does not meet the following 1 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.
VVMF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a written report outlining the results of its effectiveness assessment performed in November 2025.
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: 13
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to honor and preserve the legacy of service and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War."
Year, State Incorporated:
1979, DC
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) reports that it seeks to preserve the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and educate the public about the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans. The organization's principal program activities include maintaining the Memorial site in Washington, DC, operating national education initiatives, and supporting programs that honor those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, including the Wall That Heals, a three‑quarter‑scale mobile replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that travels to communities nationwide. VVMF's Wall of Faces program works to preserve a photograph and biographical information for each of the 58,281 service members whose names appear on the Memorial. This effort ensures that future generations can learn about the individuals behind the names. In addition, the In Memory program honors Vietnam veterans who returned home and later passed. More than 7,000 veterans have been recognized through this program.
For the year ended September 30, 2025, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's program expenses were:
| Memorial legacy | $3,426,417 |
| The Wall That Heals | $792,196 |
| Memorial maintenance | $415,250 |
| In Memory | $375,851 |
| Education programs | $258,459 |
| Ceremonies and events | $246,204 |
| Total Program Expenses | $5,586,849 |
Chief Executive
Christopher J. Knotts, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$308,485
Chair of the Board
Alan Buckelew
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Vietnam Veteran
Board Size
16
Paid Staff Size
18
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Workplace Giving
VVMF incurred joint costs of $2,609,115 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $1,842,467 was allocated to program expenses and $766,648 was allocated to fundraising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 18% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $8,507,663, 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 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2025.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $7,204,995 |
| Investment income, net | $1,880,855 |
| In-kind contributions | $1,212,668 |
| Site fees | $342,000 |
| Sponsorships - TWTH | $90,000 |
| Royalty income | $87,646 |
| Other income | $63,078 |
| Total Income | $10,881,242 |
Programs: 75% Fundraising: 21% Administrative: 5%
| Total Income | $10,881,242 |
| Total expenses: | $7,482,155 |
| Program expenses | $5,586,849 |
| Fundraising expenses | $1,539,976 |
| Administrative expenses | $355,330 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $3,399,087 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $20,424,960 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $23,824,047 |
| Total Liabilities | $919,826 |
| Total Assets | $24,743,873 |
Note: According to VVMF's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2025, the organization received $1,212,668 in contributed goods and services including advertising services ($1,136,771), transportation services ($39,600), and online marketing ($36,297)
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