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Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust

CharityWatch report issued
November 2022

F
CharityWatch Grade
This rating has been downgraded from A+ due to the charity having 10.0 years worth of available assets in reserve.
 
94%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$1
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Large Asset Reserves

CharityWatch reduces the grade of any charity that has available assets equal to three to five years of operating expenses. Charities with "years of available assets" of more than five years receive an "F" grade regardless of other measurements. In CharityWatch's view, a reserve of less than three years is reasonable and does not affect a charity's grade. These reductions in grades are based solely on the charities' asset reserves as compared to budget. The CharityWatch definition of "years of available assets" includes funds currently available for the charity's use, including investments that the charity has set aside as a reserve but could choose to spend if it wanted to do so. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust's letter grade rating has been downgraded because it has 3 or more years of available assets.

See Our Process to learn more about how CharityWatch considers a charity’s asset reserves and the High Asset List for a list of charities whose ratings have been reduced due to high assets.

Contact Information

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust
860 Dolwick Drive
Erlanger, KY 41018

Other Names

DAV Charitable Service Trust

Tax Status

501(c)3

Website

cst.dav.org

Stated Mission

Empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. Supports physical & psychological rehabilitation programs; enhances research & mobility for veterans with amputations & spinal cord injuries; benefits aging veterans; aids & shelters homeless veterans; and evaluates & addresses the needs of veterans wounded in recent wars & conflicts and their caregivers.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2021

Program Percentage: 94%

The percentage of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$4,900,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $1

How many dollars Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$14,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust IRS Form 990 52-1521276
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust Audited Financial Statements 52-1521276
Entity: Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 52-1521276
Entity: Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 52-1521276

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy No Sharing  

Unable to Provide Salaries

See Analysts' Notes for explanation.

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 6, Related-Party Transactions), the Trust reports that it "distributed" $2,135,015 to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) "in support of DAV programs and services" in 2021. In addition, the Trust also reports: "In performing the duties of their positions, DAV's National Commander and National Adjutant serve on the Board of Directors of the Trust..." 


According to the DAV audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 12, Related-Party Transactions):

"Some members of DAV's Board of Directors also serve on the Board of Directors for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust (the 'Trust'). DAV also provides services to the Trust, which puts DAV in the position to influence operating policies of the Trust..."


NOTE: DAV Charitable Service Trust and DAV are separate entities that operate under their own bylaws and issue separate audited financial statements. However, given the relationship between the entities and DAV's "position to influence operating policies of the Trust," as cited above, CharityWatch's calculation of the Program Percentage for the Trust excludes the $2,135,015 in funds it distributed to DAV in 2021. (CharityWatch provides a separate rating for Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

CharityWatch is unable to provide complete salary information for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust because it does not pay salaries directly.

According to the DAV Charitable Service Trust audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 6, Related-Party Transactions):

"During 2021, DAV [Disabled American Veterans] personnel assisted the Trust on a limited basis in administering its business operations, fundraising, and grant programs. For these personnel services, the Trust reimbursed DAV $177,796 in 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the Trust owed DAV $219,338. DAV provides the Trust with the use of facilities, equipment, and occasional magazine space at no charge."


According to the DAV Charitable Service Trust 2021 tax filing (IRS Form 990, Schedule O, Supplemental Information re: Compensation Review Process):

"As all the members of the board are volunteers, the board has contracted with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to utilize the services of a DAV employee to serve as the Administrator of the Trust. The Trust reimbursed the DAV $32,728.81 in 2021 for those services. The Administrator assists the president and other officers in the implementation of board directives. She also ensures that the president and board members are kept fully abreast of even routine matters so that they may fully carry out their responsibilities."

According to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 2 re: Risk and Uncertainties):

"In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic. As a result, economic uncertainties have arisen which are likely to negatively impact the Trust's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations. Other financial impact could occur though such potential impact is unknown at this time."