Executive Compensation at Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 2021
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization is a 501 (c) (4) – a social welfare organization – that was created by Congress in 1920 to assist disabled military veterans and their families. Based in Cold Spring, Kentucky, DAV provides services nationwide to disabled veterans through staff, national service offices and more than 1,200 local chapters.
With more than a million members (who pay $0-$300 for a lifetime of assistance and benefits), DAV is the largest disabled veteran assistance organization in the country.
In 2021, DAV reported total revenue of $171 million, most of which came from contributions. Expenses totaled $138 million (not including $2 million in depreciation) in 2021 with the two largest expenses reported to be compensation ($53 million) and office-related expenses ($53 million).
661 employees received $53 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of $80,000 in 2021 (compared to 654 employees who received an average compensation of $83,000 in 2021). 64 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the most highly compensated employees reported be:
- $591,176: J Marc Burgess, National Adjutant, CEO, and Secretary
- $575,733: Edward R Reese, Executive Director, National Headquarters
- $522,452: Barry A Jesinoski, Executive Director, National Headquarters
- $422,185: Anita Blum, Comptroller
- $359,903: Peter Dickinson, Senior Executive Advisor
- $318,659: Brian Cowart, Sr Chief Development Officer
- $310,483: James Marszałek, National Service Director
- $293,791: Daniel Clare, Chief Communications and Outreach
As illustrated above, the 8 most highly compensated employees received $3.4 million in compensation with the most highly compensated employee reported to be J Marc Burgess, who received $591,176 in 2021 (compared to $603,396 in 2020 and $585,906 in 2019).
DAV reported paying for first class or charter travel, travel for companions, and providing discretionary spending accounts (See the Form 990, Schedule J, Part III, Supplemental Information for more detail).
In 2021, Steven Whitehead, the National Commander received $225,000 as a national expense allowance for lodging, meals, and other expenses.
48 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 5 most highly compensated reported to be:
- $1,983,452: Crosby Marketing Communications, of Annapolis, Maryland
- $ 986,104: Creative Direct Response, of Lanham, Maryland
- $ 769,852: Chisholm Chisholm and Kilpatrick, of Providence, Rhode Island
- $ 738,430: Direct Donor Television, of Lanham, Maryland
- $ 539,900: Fuse Fundraising Group, of Reston, Virginia
All of the above were compensated for “professional” services, most of which appear to be related to fundraising.
To read the IRS Form 990 (2021), click here.
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Paddock Post 
Seems to me the head people at dab make too much I’m not donating any more until their wages drop significienly.
This is obscene. We (Veterans) aren’t getting what we need because this is where the money is going.
You will not get anything from us. Should all be volunteer
Why are their wages so high? Not sure if I understand what is getting compensated? Is it where they live, is this their full time job, with no other source of income? Are lodging and food that expensive? I would just like to understand the justification for the wages that’s all , I was understanding that it was a nonprofit, does seem like someone is making profit. I’m not angry just not understanding
Wow, how do they justify paying themselves that much. Bunch of parasites.
Not much left for the actual American Vets. I’m sad I didn’t spend my money elsewhere. I give when I can not when they say. I didn’t like receiving a second demand for payment after they sent me a calendar I didn’t ask for. This made me look up “DAVE” American Disabled Veterans getting all these payments at a post office box in Cincinnati Ohio and I’m not impressed. 64 plus employed get up to and OVER 1/2 million A YEAR EACH and contractors TONS of contractors getting up to and OVER 1/4 million while using first class travel etc…They should ALL live like a vet for 1 year for being this greedy. All organizations should have empathy if requesting money on their behalf! Why doesn’t ANY news outlet cover this? This is absolutely should be illegal…
look up all charities.. they are ALL like this.. hundreds of thousands of dollars going to people that have a title in front of their names… SHAMEFUL!!!
THIS IS INSANE. THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE PUT IN PRISON. IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEYOND BELIEF THAT THESE ASSHOLES CAN STEAL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THIS FUND. IF ANYONE DESERVES TO GO TO HELL, THIS GROUP IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. REALLY MAKES A FOREMER SOLDIER PROUD. SICK, SICK, SICK. COME TO MY FRONT DOOR AND ASK FOR A DONATION. KMA. ERNEST EVANS!!!
This is a horrible “old boys club” organization that has multiple complaints of discrimination. I hope people stop donating to them since they don’t help veterans at all. It’s another cash cow organization that overpays themselves leaving nothing for veterans. Worst, they don’t even follow their own rules
The Form 990, Schedule I, Part III (2021) reports cash grants totaling $2.7 million in three categories:
1. $1.6 million in cash grants were given to 2,797 individuals (an average of $570 each) for disaster and covid unemployment relief.
2. $47,000 in scholarships were awarded to 26 individuals, or an average of $1,800 each.
3. $1.1 million in cash grants were awarded to 545 individuals, or an average of $2,000 each for winter sports equipment assistance.
Given DAV raised $170 million in 2021, the cash grants to individuals amounted to less than 2% of total revenue.
No place does the charity show the amount going directly to veteran’s assistance with a detail as to to type of services the veterans are receiving. Compensation and office expense seem extraordinarily high for the services rendered.
Nor does it show the number of veteran receiving direct assistance.
LOS ANGELES, California – June 16, 2023 – On, August 20, 2022, Amid allegations of financial misconduct and governance failures, Andrew Marshall,, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) revoked the 47-year-old Birmingham Hospital Chapter #73 Veteran Memorial Center charter stating “ We have discovered a pattern of illegal and /or objectionable activity to include a reported shooting, with a SWAT standoff” …. a “written report of a pornographic adult film shooting on the property” , and other numerous complaints. Further stating: “ For years, leadership and members of the chapter allowed and…. condoned such behavior” . What Marshall fails to acknowledge is that from 2014, chapter members, and Neighbors, by phone and by letter, contacted the State and National DAV officers and staff detailing these actions and DAV totally ignored and failed to acknowledge and investigate. Larry Polzin local past chapter commander , California State DAV Commander, past National Commander and his son Leigh Polzin Chapter Commander and California State DAV Finance Official, controlled operationally and financially the chapter for over 12 years. They controlled three bank accounts holding over $100,000 without any accountability or reporting to the members or the DAV. Larry Polzin and his personal relationships trumped the detailed operational and financial controls the DAV demands in its Constitution and By-Laws. In June 2022, , Francis “Frank’ Orbin, the Treasurer without the knowledge and approval of the officers transferred out over $165,000 by cashier checks and closed the post accounts.
In 2020, after Lary Polzin’s death, a group of dedicated and concerned members voted out the corrupt leader and installed honest officers. They subsequently strongly urged the DAV National Headquarters to provide a full account of the reasons for this suspension and work towards a solution that supports our veterans and restores faith in the organization. Under their stewardship, in the brief period between November 2021 and March 2022, The post saw an impressive growth, both in terms of membership and financial stability. Their proactive outreach to younger veterans, introduction of weekly events, and implementation of financial transparency protocols revitalized the chapter, raising $96,582.84 in just three months.
The group was making significant strides in bettering the lives of local veterans when the abrupt revocation occurred. “We were doing more for veterans in three months than in the past 10 years,” said Philip Nathan , Commander . “Our actions were all in the spirit of transparency, all for the benefit of our veterans. It is disappointing that we’ve been penalized without being given a chance to correct any potential errors.” “We believe in the work of DAV and the importance of serving our veterans. But it’s clear that reform is needed at the top,” to ensure DAV honors it 100-year federal charter . The post officers have requested the full disclosure of the DAV CPA and Allegiant Group report of accounting shortfalls and the prosecution of any individuals found guilty of financial misconduct. Their request has fallen on deaf ears. They also urge a full review of compensation at the top levels of DAV, with the figures publicized suggesting an imbalance in the financial priorities of the organization and also find solutions that preserve the integrity of the organization and continues to serve our veterans.”
The local veteran post is actively fighting the attempted theft of the property and the DAV action to sell the property to developers that will result in the loss of a 5-acre facility that supports all veteran, first responders and the local community..
On May 31, 2023, a legal filing was executed against
• DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, a Federally Chartered, 501(c) (4) veterans’ organization;,
• LEIGH POLZIN,
• DANIEL CONTRERAS, A/K/A DAN CONTRERAS, an individual.
• FRANCIS ORBIN, A/K/A FRANK ORBIN, an individual;
• DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, a California non-profit corporation
For
1. Conversion And Conspiracy To Commit Conversion;
2. Punitive Damages.
3. Money Had And Received.
4. Cancelation Of Instrument [Civil Code § 3412];
5. Breach Of The Implied Covenant Of Good Faith And Fair Dealing
I have donated to DAV for several years. Did not realize how much fantastic salaries and side benefits these guys receive. No more.
Consider Homes For Our Troops:
What is the best alternative to DAV?
Donate only to charities that do not have excessive administrative or high CEO costs.
I am apoplectic over those huge salaries. I am a life member of the DAV (1973) and I thought this organization was above board as a veterans service organization. I have always investigated administrative overheads of any charity I donate to, but naively never thought the venerable DAV founded in 1920 would be this disgraceful and abusive.
I think these salaries are over the top for these individuals so I will just throw the items away instead of donating them to an organization that pays their CEO s and others that much money. UNBELIEVABLE!
I am absolutely horrified to see these numbers! I was trying to decide which charities to donate to. When I researched DAV, there is no way I will donate my hard earned money to go into some fat cat’s pocket. I am appalled that this is how this organization is ran, and believe me I will inform everyone I know
That information is not disclosed on the Form 990.
Do any of these highly paid employees donate back to DAV?
I will never donate to this organization with such a large compensation to its upper management.
After many years of donating to this organization I decided I needed an old pair of shoes for a Halloween mannequin. I found a very old pair with $16 price. I asked since they were so old would they take way less. No was the answer. So I never donated again.