The group: "Paralyzed Veterans of America"

[Normy]

I received in the snail-mail yesterday a fairly-fat envelope from a group that calls itself the "Paralyzed Veterans of America". I pulled it apart, tossed the various pieces on the bed behind my desk in my den. I don't know what to think-

Personally, I can't think of a more deserving group than paralyzed veterans. Maybe abused children, but it is pretty close. In any case, my impulse, despite the fact that I've taken a huge pay cut this past year and need to be cheap...was to send them $50. A few seconds later, a notion occured to me:

I don't know this group at all; how do I know that they are legit?

Web search? Anyone can post a website. Not a valid way of determining if a group is legitimate or not. I'm sure there are ways to research a charity group to find out if it is accredited/ registered, but I don't know to do it.

How do you prove that a charity group is real...?

AND

How do you determine that they actually give benefit to the group that they are promising to benefit?

N

[Hard-Deck]

http://www.charitywatch.org/

www.bbb.org

These may help.

[Normy]

Hmm. Well, Charitywatch says that they exist, and doesn't say anything bad about them. The BBB gives them a "C+" however...

What the hell. $25 isn't that much. If they prove to be a real group, I'll give them more a year from now.

Thanx for the info- Y'all be safe!

N

[k9handler]

donated to them years ago, now they bug the crap out of me for more. Last month I finally told them to please stop calling.

[Rick Lee]

Yes, they're for real. They are a client of mine and I've met some of their folks. I have no idea as to how much of their fundraising goes toward their cause and how much pays salaries and overhead. But they are for real.

[2.7RACER]

There was an article published on the web a couple weeks ago about this very subject.
I have donated to the "Paralyzed Veterans" for several years.
After this report was made public, they'll not see another dime from me.

There are many "charitable groups" with costs and overhead running to 90% of their donations. They are full of highly paid officers, and friends.
Typically being paid several hundred thousand per year for their "services".

"How They Fared
Thursday, December 13, 2007; A16

The American Institute of Philanthropy, a leading charity watchdog, issued a report card this month for 29 veterans and military charities. Letter grades were based largely on the charities' fundraising costs and the percentage of money raised that was spent on charitable activities.

Air Force Aid Society (A+)
American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation (F)
American Veterans Coalition (F)
American Veterans Relief Foundation (F)
AMVETS National Service Foundation (F)
Armed Services YMCA of the USA (A-)
Army Emergency Relief (A+)
Blinded Veterans Association (D)
Disabled American Veterans (D)
Disabled Veterans Association (F)
Fisher House Foundation (A+)
Freedom Alliance (F)
Help Hospitalized Veterans/Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (F)
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (A+)
Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation (F)
National Military Family Association (A)
National Veterans Services Fund (F)
National Vietnam Veterans Committee (D)
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (A+)
NCOA National Defense Foundation (F)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (F)
Soldiers' Angels (D)
United Spinal Association's Wounded Warrior Project (D)
USO (United Service Organization) (C+)
Veterans of Foreign Wars and foundation (C-)
Veterans of the Vietnam War & the Veterans Coalition (D)
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (D)
VietNow National Headquarters (F)
World War II Veterans Committee (D)
Fisher House Foundation (A+)
Freedom Alliance (F)
Help Hospitalized Veterans/Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (F)
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (A+)
Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation (F)
National Military Family Association (A)
National Veterans Services Fund (F)
National Vietnam Veterans Committee (D)
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (A+)
NCOA National Defense Foundation (F)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (F)
Soldiers' Angels (D)
United Spinal Association's Wounded Warrior Project (D)
USO (United Service Organization) (C+)
Veterans of Foreign Wars and foundation (C-)
Veterans of the Vietnam War & the Veterans Coalition (D)
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (D)
VietNow National Headquarters (F)
World War II Veterans Committee (D)
12/13/2007 12:08:31

[Hard-Deck]

Fisher House Foundation (A+)

If you're unaware, Fisher House is the free hotel used to house families of Vets that are at Walter Reed. http://www.fisherhouse.org/

No affiliation other than some of my injured troops families stay there.

[Mo_Gearhead]

QUOTE: "There are many "charitable groups" with costs and overhead running to 90% of their donations. They are full of highly paid officers, and friends.
Typically being paid several hundred thousand per year for their "services"."
________________

Exactly.

Some of these organizations have been around for years and they choose very NICE SOUNDING names to induce empathy (and produce a $ donation).

Before sending ANY of them money, do a little homework.

Some have OUTRAGEOUS overhead, with little money actually going to benefit anyone else. All legal!!

[flatbutt]

I was a PVA supporter for years; https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4295...not any longer.

Even Wounded Warrior is in the $h1t.

[Holger]

Wouldnt come into my mind to send any money to any groups bugging me with unwanted mail.
Letter -> Trashcan without reading it.
If they can send those annoying letters then they have enough money.

If I want to donate then I look for and choose the group by myself.

[Baz]

NO vet would need charity if the freaking government wasn't so full of corrupt and incompetent thieves......

[Tervuren]

I think their focus is primarily on entertainment events. This might be why they are rating so badly based on definition of "charity".

http://wheelchairgames.org/

It may be the funding to itself is still getting used to provide events/service. I've never had any interaction beyond a NASCAR related event. I've found in ensueing years that any charity attached to "NASCAR" is generally a way of funneling large amounts of money into a big viagra pill for whoever is in charge.

So my knowledge is mixed, I wouldn't say they aren't doing anything, but there may be some, or a lot of unneeded fat.

[flyenby]

I used to belong to Vietnam veterans of America.....quit when they were taking members who never set foot I Nam. Probably just wanted the $$$