Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans Of America Inc
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March 28, 2013
Passionate organization that is always fighting for the rights of our veterans. There are very few organizations out there dedicated specifically to the needs of this generation of veterans and I am proud to work closely with them. They survey their membership each year to make sure they are meeting their needs and it helps them figure out what programs and services are really needed. Two thumbs up!
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
March 6, 2013
IAVA is a veterans’ educational organization that happens to provide the most relevant and valuable services to the current generation of veterans and the public: a. the television and radio ad program that was the first to impact the general public and educate them on the issue of veteran isolation; b. effective advocacy for the current veterans that lead the traditional veteran service organizations in “airing the dirty laundry about the poor capacity and performance of our military transitions process, the claims process, and veterans mental health care programs” resulting in increased congressional oversight and improvements; c. education of the public on the “real unemployment rate” of our young veterans versus an original erroneous report done by Department of Labor that motivated the US Chamber of Commerce to act; and d. the development of outreach programs for young veterans based on their dominant mode and methods of communication, cyberspace. I’ve been a long time member and leader in the older veterans organizations that provide dying NCO and officer club type venues and “command structures” that caused these clubs to fail on our posts/bases, because younger generations does not relate to them. Presidents and Governors seem to have selected lots of government appointees from the older organizations, yet the organizations didn’t seem effective in engaging the public about what needed to be done until IAVA stood up. Entrepreneurship training/boot camps, corporate employment development, and membership surveys using quantitative methods to determine issues versus the good ole boys . . . leading change is how IAVA has impacted the sector.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
January 8, 2013
I originally joined this organization hoping to have a resource for my generation of combat veteran much like the VVA. Unfortunately I found an organization more interested in counting me as a number on their roster and less about providing any sort of unique support. Outside of lobbying on Capitol Hill I saw no tangible efforts to provide services to veterans that were not being offered already, and more effectively, by other organizations.
After repeated attempts to have my name and contact information deleted from their records I am still being contacted and can only assume being inaccurately counted among their membership. This correspondence has been in the form of asking for donations that will support "programs" to help veterans without any mention of said program or what exactly is being done.
I also believe the way in witch they have framed their legislative accomplishments has been misleading. I was inundated with messages about how "IAVA did this" or "IAVA accomplished that" as if they were the only voice on the hill and other VNGO's such as the American Legion, VFW, VVA, and DVA were not involved.
I give the IAVA one star and questions their administrative practices and over all organization.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
None
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
No
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Badly
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
July 23, 2012
There is a need for this organization because, let's face it, some of the other military organizations are not able to focus on the needs of this generation of veterans, whose views are often different from older veterans simply because of generational differences. However, when I see a headquarters in NYC and gala event invites with $500/ticket minimums (NYC gala) I become suspicious. Yes, the money will go toward lobbying etc in Washington DC but why would you HQ an organization in NYC with high costs and salaries unless there was something very vet-specific about NYC? Why not DC? I have seen too many nonprofits that seemed to be more about A-list parties (SLDN comes to mind) that funded more fundraising and salaries than provided actual services. IAVA is a needed voice in DC but they certainly weren't the only or strongest voices on recent legislative victories. Again, I think they're a much needed voice (my spouse served in Afghanistan) but explain to me why the NYC headquarters and, as another person noted, no elected officers of the organization to ensure it represents its membership views.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Unsure
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Some
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
March 10, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I think IAVA does a wonderful job of lobbying and marketing, but their organizational structure is flawed. They seem to have no elected leadership, but they play in the veteran membership space which is largely dominated by member-based organization that elect some portion of their leadership. However, they claim to be the go-to organization on all issues related to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. That is a little suspect to me: no elected officers in your membership based organization? Who votes on the policy issues? You folks are also missing a core component: Programs and Services. You are a young org so you have some work to do, but that's ok. Good effort all around.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Unlikely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
November 14, 2011
IAVA has been very effective in a number of areas, like getting better Federal legislation for vets, improving awareness and support for vets problems, and mutual support systems for vets.
This also includes real big areas like jobs for vets, which is perhaps the highest priority matter for veterans, and their spouses. They're arguably the most important support groups for recent vets.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
November 12, 2010
1 person found this review helpful
Hey, the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America get real stuff done for vets, like educational and medical benefits. On a daily basis, they support vets, and provide means for them to help each other out. If you're serious about supporting vets, this is one great way to do so.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I hear great stories about IAVA directly from the vets themselves.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Help them work with others to build a centralized website to serve all basic veterans needs.
October 20, 2011
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America provided me with the opportunity to lend soldiers and veterans a voice during a time when it was controversial to speak of these occupations in public, let alone in a public forum. Leading up to the 2006 midterm elections, IAVA answered my call when I sought to give IAVA soldiers/vets the opportunity to sit on panels of Democracy for America's Iraq War Forums throughout New Jersey. Back in 2005, they were nowhere near as large or recognizable as they have become today. After seeing a film with features IAVA, then known as Operation Truth, I worked to secure a screening at Rutgers which catalyzed a 30 campus tour through the Center for American Progress. My husband and I have donated to IAVA significantly because of the legislative and social advocacy work they continue to tangibly do for soldiers and vets of these wars. We both come from relatives who fought in wars past and although we do not have immediate family serving in these wars, we feel a great duty to lend awareness about these populations, their families, and give what we can to ensure they are supported. These people are part of our collective family as part of our great nation. I could not be more proud of the work IAVA continues to do.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
1 person found this review helpful
October 20, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I come from a military family and IAVA is absolutely amazing. Full stop. Growing up in South Texas and watching the Vietnam war on the evening news as a kid had a definite impact on my view of the military. I was too young to do anything to help those men and women that came home to a general public that did not understand what it meant and means to serve. Whatever your politics might be, I believe that you still honor the soldier and his or her sacrifice no matter what. IAVA and its' mission are long overdue in my estimation.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have friends who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and know IAVA's work through their experience
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Not at this time.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
Veterans health issues
Why did you make your donation at this time?
My brothers and sisters served in the military and I wanted to give back.
What would you tell others about this organization?
Already do that!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 20, 2011
IAVA has done so much great work for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. From the New GI Bill to advanced funding for the VA to so much more, they are ahead of the pack by far!
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Likely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
4 people found this review helpful
October 11, 2011
4 people found this review helpful
OK...let's be honest. What programs or services does IAVA provide? A website- That doesn't count in my book. Oh, ok, free tickets to ball games. Nice try. Pretty strong marketing and fundraising machine which lobbies quite a bit on capitol hill. Actually, thank you for the lobbying, but you all know quite well you don't do much more than that. Love to see IAVA step up and provide substantial programs to veterans. I give you 2 stars instead of one...mostly for the lobbying. However, lobbying shouldn't be the focus of a 501c3 nonprofit.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Media
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Develop programs and services or change the organization into a lobbying firm.
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