Gateway Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America

Conclusion

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

Purpose

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."

Year, State Incorporated:
1976, MO

Also Known As:
Paralyzed Veterans of America Gateway Chapter

Programs

The Gateway Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America operates eight programs and provides four grant opportunities to assist veterans with a spinal cord injury or disease to be as independent as possible. The programs include Patient Services, Membership, Chapter Hospital Liaison, Sports and Recreation, Transportation, Advocacy, Education and Fundraising. Patient Services - Gateway members serve as peer counselors to newly injured or diagnosed spinal cord disease veterans in a VA approved Peer Counseling Program. Members with years of experience living with spinal cord injury or diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, match up with the newly injured or diagnosed veterans. Additionally it funds monthly luncheons for the 32 inpatients and numerous outpatients at the Jefferson Barracks SCI/D Unit, which include patients, their families and unit staff. At an average luncheon, it will serve 80-100 people. Gateway also funds holiday dinners for the inpatients. Membership - Membership in the Gateway Chapter PVA is free of charge. It currently has a membership of over 600, but are always accepting new applications. To be qualified for membership, you must be an honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States of America with a spinal cord injury or disease. Its National Office employs Service Officers who assist members at the local level with VA benefits applications and determinations. These membership grants are explained at the end of this narrative. The Gateway Chapter also publishes a bi-monthly magazine to inform members about VA benefits/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 always proves to be the most challenging. That is the primary reason why Gateway has a voluntary Chapter Hospital Committee comprised of members who advocate for quality healthcare for veterans with spinal cord injury or disease  (SCI/D) at VA medical centers. Sports and Recreation - The members of the Gateway Paralyzed Veterans of America are actively involved with many sports activities. 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, adaptive snow and water skiing. Three of the most popular activities are the annual Winter Sports Clinic held in Snowmass, Colorado, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games held every year in a different location, and the YMCA Trout Lodge Adventure. The Chapter can help provide our members with funding to attend these three events, as well as VA recreation events. Transportation - The Gateway Chapter provides free transportation for our veterans to local VA Medical Centers for treatments and to various other activities. It also transports area veteran members to activities in the community like trapshooting, monthly luncheons at the Jefferson Barracks Spinal Cord Unit, personal errands and our fall picnic. Gateway is currently transporting hospitalized spinal cord patients, who are able to go, 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 grants included two $35,000 grants for the initial purchase of an accessible vehicle and $10,000 grants to modify existing vehicles. Advocacy - The prime focus of the Advocacy and Government Relations program is to improve the quality of life of our members. This is achieved through active involvement with local, state, and national and state legislation, partnership with other PVA Chapters and veterans service organizations, an active relationship with VA Medical Center staff and therapists, and continuous research and community involvement. The advocacy for accessibility included both public and private facilities and locations to include parking, walkways and paths. Gateway board members sat on accessibility review groups for the recently renovated Arch/River City project, the renovation of the St. Louis Soldiers Memorial, and the Gateway president is now part of an accessibility review group for the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Education - Every year the Gateway Chapter contributes to the national organization's research fund. Both organizations follow the National Institute of Health research guidelines. It also helps fund continuing education for spinal cord staff when we believe that training will improve the care of its membership. As part of its education program, the organization often speaks 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 Paralyzed Veterans of America are required to have a fundraising program  It receives no federal funding to support operations. Gateway complies with Missouri's stringent 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 Platinum Level, highest level, participant. While still paying utilities, salaries, and other overhead, 90% of what we spend goes directly to our programs. As stated earlier, the Gateway Chapter also provides four grant opportunities throughout the year. They are the Home Accessibility Grant, Hand Controls Grant, Generator Grant and Accessible Vehicle Grant. Home Accessibility Grant – The Gateway Chapter’s year-round home accessibility grant is available in the amount of $10,000 to all members. This grant is available only after a member has exhausted all other available VA funding. Hand Controls Grant - Non-service connected members, after exhausting any eligible modifications through the VA, may receive funding from the Gateway Chapter to obtain and have hand controls installed through this year-round grant. These grants are usually around $2,000. Generator Grant - The announcement of this annual grant opening will be made in the newsletter, email and social media, typically around the summer. This grant is for the amount of $5500 or less. Grants can be applied to a portable generator (which should cost less than the $5500) or go toward an automatic permanent home generator (which will cost more than that grant amount). Accessible Vehicle Grant -  The Gateway Chapter will award annually, $10,000 grants for members to use in trading in their existing accessible vehicle to purchase a newer model, or a $35,000 grant for first time vehicle buyers (number of grants given are dependent on the financial status of the Chapter each year). These grants will be used for cost over and above any VA funds. Each year numerous applications are received and once the individual is determined eligible, names are randomly drawn and the winners are notified. 

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

Governance & Staff

Chief Executive
Chris Blanchard, Executive Director

Chair of the Board
Rose Ganz, Community Volunteer

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

Board Size
12

Paid Staff Size
3

Fundraising

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

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 year ended June 30, 2024.

Source of Funds

Programs: 90% Fundraising: 2% Administrative: 8%