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Student Veterans of America

CharityWatch rating issued
April 2026

Top-Rated Charity
A-
CharityWatch Rating
Our independent rating based
on a number of factors.
 
86%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$26
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Student Veterans of America
655 15th Street NW
Suite 320
Washington, DC 20005

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

Through a network of over 1,600 on-campus chapters, Student Veterans of America® ensures that student veterans and military-connected students achieve their greatest potential.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 03/31/2025

Program Percentage: 86%

The percentage of Student Veterans of America's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$8,100,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $26

How many dollars Student Veterans of America spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$2,400,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Student Veterans of America Audited Financial Statements 26-1971279
Student Veterans of America IRS Form 990 26-1971279
Entity: Student Veterans of America
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 26-1971279
Entity: Student Veterans of America
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 26-1971279

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.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Student Veterans of America
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Student Veterans of America
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  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Jared S. Lyon President / CEO $426,417
2 Abra Kinch VP of Research $215,358
3 Vanessa Ryan VP of Chapter & Community Engagement $179,424
1
Name: Jared S. Lyon
Title: President / CEO
Compensation: $426,417
2
Name: Abra Kinch
Title: VP of Research
Compensation: $215,358
3
Name: Vanessa Ryan
Title: VP of Chapter & Community Engagement
Compensation: $179,424

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 Student Veterans of America (SVA) audit of March 31, 2025 (Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Subsequent Events):

"...Other than the event disclosed in Note 9 [cited below], SVA has determined that there are no subsequent events that have occurred which required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements."


According to the Student Veterans of America (SVA) audit of March 31, 2025 (Note 9, Operations):

"As shown in the accompanying financial statements, SVA has incurred operating losses during the fiscal years ending March 31, 2025 and 2024 as a result of declining revenues. As of March 31, 2025, SVA had insufficient financial assets available for general expenditures...

...Management has taken proactive and strategic steps to mitigate the risks related to declining revenue, including diversified funding streams, cultivation of significant donor relationships, expanded grant opportunities, and operational efficiencies. Subsequent to year-end, these efforts resulted in SVA receiving a new grant award totaling $4,000,000 to be used for specific programs (including $480,000 of the grant available for indirect costs), and grant award for $750,000 to be used for general operations. Management will continue to closely monitor financial performance and adjust strategies as necessary to maintain SVA's financial health and mission impact. In addition, management will continue to implement cost-saving measures in its operations." 

According to the Student Veterans of America (SVA) audit of March 31, 2025 (Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Revenue Recognition, Donated Goods and Services):

SVA received contributed nonfinancial assets during fiscal 2025 on which it placed a total value of $743,253. Of this amount, $711,953 was attributed to "Online Advertising." 

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the Student Veterans of America (SVA) audit of March 31, 2025 (Note 2, Concentrations, Revenue):

"During the year ended March 31, 2025, grants and contributions from two funders accounted for 27% of the total revenue and support..."

According to the Student Veterans of America (SVA) tax filing for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, SVA reports re: Compensation, Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II):

SVA reports providing "bonus & incentive compensation" during 2024 to Jared S. Lyon, President & CEO, in the amount of $60,000. Lyon's total reported compensation during 2024 was $426,417. 


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