Executive Compensation at Paralyzed Veterans of America

The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 based in Washington, DC (although the organization has 70 offices and 33 chapters throughout the country).

Established in 1947, PVA has a core mission of vets serving vets, funding spinal cord research, and advocating for disability rights, according to their website. So, the question most donors want to know is:  how much of my donation goes to the organization’s core mission?  The answer:  less than half because the organization spent more than $45 million (out of the $92 million in revenue) on a mail program to raise funds.

Key financial information reported by PVA to the IRS on the Form 990 (for the year ending June 30, 2019) include the following:

$92 million in total revenue was reported (compared to $112 million the prior year), most of which ($88 million) came from contributions, gifts, and grants.

Expenses totaled $88 million (95% of revenue) with the two (2) largest expenses being the “mail program” ($45 million) and compensation ($23 million) for the staff.  301 employees received $23 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of $76,400.  32 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 10 most highly compensated reported to be:

• $236,828:  William Blake, Executive Director
• $198,777:  David Fanning, Sr Director, Planned and Strategic Dev
• $195,094:  Leonard Selfon, General Counsel
• $185,683:  Peter Gaytan, AED of Veterans Benefits
• $184,964:  Mark Lichter, Director of Architecture
• $184,150:  Shaun Castle, Deputy Executive Director
• $179,714:  Scott Pearl, Chief Development and Marketing Officer
• $164,855:  Leslie Zupan, Director of IT (until 1/19)
• $151,197:  Cheryl Topping, CFO
• $150,954:  Heather Ansley, AED of Gov’t

7 of the 10 most highly compensated employees are male while 3 are female.

PVA paid for companion travel. Specifically, PVA paid for an attendant to accompany board members and corporate officers for their medical needs.

John Ring, the former CFO received $110,000 in severance.

53 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation. The five (5) most highly compensated independent contractors were reported to be:

• $19 million:  Edge Direct, of Baltimore, MD for gifts/mail program
• $ 6 million:  US Postmaster, of Washington, DC for mail delivery
• $ 4 million:  Grant Mail Direct Marketing, of gifts/mail program
• $ 3 million:  Heartland Direct International, of Tulsa, OK for gifts/mail program
• $ 3 million:  Target Market Team, of Atlanta, GA for gifts/mail program

As illustrated above, PVA spent significant revenue ($35 million with the top 5 independent contractors and $10 million more on other gift/mail program expenses).

To read the IRS Form 990 (2018 for the year ending June 30, 2019), click here.