Executive Compensation at Paralyzed Veterans of America (2023)

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 33 chapters throughout the country (Note:  the Form 990 reports 33 chapters but the website reports 34 chapters).

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 49% in 2023 with the remainder (58%)  spent on a marketing, publications, and advertising (note:  PVA spent $8 million more than the organization raised in 2023, or $107 for every $100 raised). Since the organization reported $11 million in unrealized gains on investments and had about $100 million in net assets, there was no deterioration in net assets).

Key financial information reported by PVA to the IRS on the Form 990 (for the year ending June 30, 2023) include the following:

$89 million in total revenue was reported most of which came from contributions, gifts, and grants.

Expenses totaled $97 million with the two (2) largest expenses being the “marketing” ($36 million) and compensation ($25 million) for the staff.  263 employees received $25 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of $95,000.  44 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 10 most highly compensated reported to be:

• $281,949:  William Blake, Executive Director
• $281,097:  Cheryl Topping, CFO
• $229,563:  Leonard Selfon, General Counsel
• $217,737:  Shaun Castle, Deputy Executive Director
• $205,801:  David Fanning, Sr Director, Planned and Strategic Dev
• $198,589:  Peter Gaytan, AED of Veterans Benefits
• $192,381:  Heather Ansley, AED of Gov’t
• $189,071:  Andrew McKenzie, Director of IT
• $185,719:  Mark Lichter, Director of Architecture
• $165,776:  Linda Blajhut, Deputy General Counsel

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.

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

• $53 million:  Edge Direct, of Baltimore, MD for gifts/mail program
• $ 2 million:  US Postmaster, of Washington, DC for mail delivery
• $ 1 million:  Aegis Premier Tech, Tulsa, OK for data management
• $ 1 million:  Data Axle, of Rye Brook, NY 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 (2022 for the year ending June 30, 2023), click here.