1 person found this review helpful
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
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May 18, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I have always donated to veteran's organizations who support our troops. PVA sent me nice looking literature and represented their efforts. I sent them a generous donation. I prefer to choose my own charities, so I advised them that I would continue support, but only if my name was not proliferated elsewhere. In case you were not aware, mailing list companies will pay for valid names and addresses. Inconsiderate and greedy charities will collect money from you and then double collect by selling your name and address. About a month after my donation, I was bombarded with non-profit mailings from over a dozen charities per week. One day alone, I received six "gifts" stuffed in my mailbox. A few weeks later, I started getting follow-up letters from these same charities wanting to know where the money was from the "free" gifts that they had sent to me. Also they were reminding me that these "gifts" were costing them money, and I wasn't doing my part in donating to them. I wrote another letter to PVA asking them to stop disseminating my name and address. I continued to be barraged with mailers. So then I had to resort to "Return to sender" on all of the junk mail that I was getting. The mail slowed down, but didn't stop, because they started omitting return addresses on their mailers so I couldn't return them. My latest effort is to write, "Refused. Return to sender or scrap." on the envelope and put it back in the mailbox. We'll see what happens next. Next I will tear up and toss away anything that doesn't have a preferred return address without even looking at it. If this is what you want, then donate to PVA.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unlikely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 16, 2012
Those complaining about the salaries listed need to do some homework on the market. A family doctor averages $186,000. A salary for top executives of a national, million dollar organization at $200,000 is very modest. This is a large organization that has signicant clut at the DC level; like AARP. It's expenses and mission are different than smaller organizations - so it's numbers are different. If you want the most direct contribution, had a vet in need some money. If you want to pool money and have a wider imprint - this organization has good testimonials and impressive transparency. I will continue to donate.
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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?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
April 29, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I've looked at CN's overview and read all of the submitted reviews and find it interesting to note that those who have been served by PVA rate it very highly. Yet, those who are potential donors give it a very low rating. In consideration of all this, it appears as though this organization does a good job helping those vets with whom they are in contact. Yet, at the same time, they're helping themselves to some very generous salaries. Administrative and fund-raising costs, if I remember correctly, total over 40% of gross revenue. As a Vietnam veteran and a regular charitable cause donor, I must admit that I believe there are many organizations out there, which would spend a considerably greater portion of my dollars helping needy veterans.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unlikely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
April 18, 2012
The PVA service representatives have been very helpful assisting me with my claim. If it were not for the PVA I don't know where I would be with my peculiar situation; the Minneapolis/St. Paul office and staff has really come through assisting with my claim. I am a PVA member and have been for over two decades, I donate to the National and South Dakota State organizations twice a year and will continue to do so. Our state North Central Chapter provides numerous outdoor activities for wheelchair-bound veterans like me. They do good work.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Quite well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
April 14, 2012
I think the PVA has done more for our veterans who have become paralyzed or have MS than any other org. Millions are spent annually on research to find a cure for paralysis, and the funding to assist vets get back in the everyday experiences we all enjoy in amazing. Please be accomodating when someone contacts you to assist them. Thanks.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
April 13, 2012
The PVA help me with my claim. I would never have gotten though the red tape of the VA if it was for the help of the PVA. This is a very fine organiztion. I own the PVA a lot more than words can say.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
April 13, 2012
Our PVA Service Officer helped with claims and promtly seeing that I received the proper medical advice and care after diagnosis on 4 different occasions starting in 1999. Before his actions a 6 to 8 week waitng period before appointments and after his phone calls it was less than 1 week before I saw the doctor. The local Sioux Falls Chapter has provided me with oppurtunities to participate is several outdoor activities that I wouldn't have been able to participate in without their help and organization of the activities. Hats off to the staff at the office for their caring and hard work.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
April 3, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Received slick looking label mailer and decided to research. Very high expenses. Don't like that. I'll give elsewhere.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unlikely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
March 14, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Disappointed with the ranking for this organization I have been supporting over 20 years. I found this out when I submitted to my corporation this year for the first time to match my funds and found out they were not qualified--because they failed to respond to my corporation reaching out to them for key information needed to include them in their very generous matching program. Wow....time to move on to another organization supporting our veterans.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Unsure
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
March 3, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
ripping off people while pretending to help vets! pretty bad. High salaries little over half of the money going to programs. nasty people with no morales.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
None
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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