Executive Compensation at Paralyzed Veterans of America (2021)

The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 based in Washington, DC (although the organization has 73 offices and 34 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:  about 34% in 2020 with the remaining 66% spent on a mail program (50%), grants (5%), and the reminder (13%) added to the general fund.

Key financial information reported by PVA to the IRS on the Form 990 (for the year ending June 30, 2021) include the following:

$107 million in total revenue was reported most of which ($103 million) came from contributions, gifts, and grants.

Expenses totaled $93 million (87% of revenue) with the two (2) largest expenses being the “mail program” ($53 million) and compensation ($24 million) for the staff.  264 employees received $24 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of $91,000.  45 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 10 most highly compensated reported to be:

• $247,632:  Cheryl Topping, CFO
• $237,659:  William Blake, Executive Director
• $195,936:  David Fanning, Sr Director, Planned and Strategic Dev
• $194,467:  Leonard Selfon, General Counsel
• $188,339:  Peter Gaytan, AED of Veterans Benefits
• $182,893:  Shaun Castle, Deputy Executive Director
• $172,474:  Mark Lichter, Director of Architecture
• $163,723:  Heather Ansley, AED of Gov’t
• $161,613:  Linda Blajhut, Deputy General Counsel
• $137,045:  William Lyttle, Director of IT (6/20-5/21)

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.

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

• $48 million:  Edge Direct, of Baltimore, MD for gifts/mail program
• $  4 million:  US Postmaster, of Washington, DC for mail delivery
• $  2 million:  Lake Group Media, of Armonk, NY for data management
• $  1 million:  Aegis Premier Tech, Tulsa, OK for data management
• $  1 million:  Aegis Processing Solutions, of Topeka, KS for gift/mail program

As illustrated above, PVA spent significant revenue ($53 million) on the gifts/mail program.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2020 for the year ending June 30, 2021), click here.