TY 2013 Form 990

(A) Name and Title	(B) Average hours per week (list any hours for related organizations below dotted line)	(C) Position (do not check more than one box, unless person is both an officer and a director/trustee)	(E) Reportable compensation from related organizations (W- 2/1099-MISC)
(1) SAMUEL L HUHN........................................................................ PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT	10.00 .......................	X	X	0	0	0
(2) MARK CORNELL........................................................................ NATIONAL PRESIDENT	17.50 .......................	X	X	0	0	0
(3) ROBERT DALE STAMPER........................................................................ NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT	15.00 .......................	X	X	0	0	0
(4) PAUL MIMMS........................................................................ NATIONAL TREASURER	20.00 .......................	X	X	0	0	0
(5) DAVID VAN LOAN........................................................................ DIRECTOR - DISTRICT 1	11.10 .......................	X		0	0	0
(6) FREDDIE EDWARDS........................................................................ DIRECTOR - DISTRICT 2	16.90 .......................	X		0	0	0
(7) JOE PARKER........................................................................ NATIONAL TREASURER	20.00 .......................	X	X	0	0	0
(8) ROBERT MOWER........................................................................ DIRECTOR - DISTRICT 4	13.10 .......................	X		0	0	0
(9) DR GEORGE E STOCKING........................................................................ DIRECTOR - DISTRICT 5	14.00 .......................	X		0	0	0
(10) THOMAS ZAMPIERI........................................................................ DIRECTOR - DISTRICT 6	9.10 .......................	X		0	0	0
(11) PETER DAVIS........................................................................ DIRECTOR - DISTRICT 3	18.00 .......................	X		0	0	0
(12) ALBERTO AVINA........................................................................ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR	37.50 .......................	X	X	95,263	0	2,013
(13) KATHRYN RUAIS........................................................................ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER	37.50 .......................		X	108,399	0	1,663
(14) BRIGITTE JONES........................................................................ ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR	37.50 .......................		X	64,665	0	1,641
(15) STUART NELSON........................................................................ COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR	37.50 .......................		X	51,860	0	10,800
(16) CHERYL SWAIM........................................................................ DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT	37.50 .......................		X	85,558	0	1,508

(A) Name and business address	(B) Description of services	(C) Compensation
SOUTHWEST PUBLISHING & MAILING CORP2600 NW TOPEKA BLVDTOPEKAKS66617	LETTERSHOP SERVICES	423,624
PMC INC4333 DAVENPORT ROADFREDERICKSBURGVA22408	LETTERSHOP & PRINTING SERVICES	255,764
ALANIZ LLC425 N IRIS STREETMT PLEASANTIA52641	LETTERSHOP & PRINTING SERVICES	241,302
MARCY YOLLES, 168 WOODSIDE TRAILANNAPOLISMD21401	PRINTING SERVICES	161,454

2 Total number of independent contractors (including but not limited to those listed above) who received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization 4

Do not include amounts reported on lines 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, and 10b of Part VIII.	(A) Total expenses	(B) Program service expenses	(C) Management and general expenses	(D) Fundraising expenses
1	Grants and other assistance to governments and organizations in the United States. See Part IV, line 21
2	Grants and other assistance to individuals in the United States. See Part IV, line 22	13,400	13,400
3	Grants and other assistance to governments, organizations, and individuals outside the United States. See Part IV, lines 15 and 16
4	Benefits paid to or for members
5	Compensation of current officers, directors, trustees, and key employees ....	461,392	60,586	296,348	104,458
6	Compensation not included above, to disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)) and persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B) ....
7	Other salaries and wages	685,858	470,952	207,849	7,057
8	Pension plan accruals and contributions (include section 401(k) and 403(b) employer contributions) ....	3,437	1,863	1,175	399
9	Other employee benefits .......	216,689	63,756	141,975	10,958
10	Payroll taxes ...........	100,432	49,728	40,292	10,412
11	Fees for services (non-employees):
a	Management ......
b	Legal .........	16,069		16,069
c	Accounting ...........	27,843		27,843
d	Lobbying ...........
e	Professional fundraising services. See Part IV, line 17
f	Investment management fees ......
g	Other (If line 11g amount exceeds 10% of line 25, column (A) amount, list line 11g expenses on Schedule O) ........	1,604,661	750,674	116,336	737,651
12	Advertising and promotion ....	5,706			5,706
13	Office expenses .......	977,104	415,613	128,594	432,897
14	Information technology ......	9,641	4,491	5,150
15	Royalties ..
16	Occupancy ...........	35,234		35,234
17	Travel ............	123,461	74,197	49,206	58
18	Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials ......
19	Conferences, conventions, and meetings ....	8,380	1,171	5,739	1,470
20	Interest ...........
21	Payments to affiliates .......	116,152	116,152
22	Depreciation, depletion, and amortization .....	56,911		56,911
23	Insurance ..............	24,135		24,135
24	Other expenses. Itemize expenses not covered above (List miscellaneous expenses in line 24e. If line 24e amount exceeds 10% of line 25, column (A) amount, list line 24e expenses on Schedule O.)
a	SEE SCH. O: ALLOC. OF I	0	902,135	-1,002,255	100,120
b
c
d
e	All other expenses
25	Total functional expenses. Add lines 1 through 24e	4,486,505	2,924,718	150,601	1,411,186
26	Joint costs. Complete this line only if the organization reported in column (B) joint costs from a combined educational campaign and fundraising solicitation. Check here if following SOP 98-2 (ASC 958-720).	2,090,866	1,029,073	55,111	1,006,682

Part X Balance Sheet Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part X ..............
	1	Cash–non-interest-bearing .............	776,193	1	406,496
2	Savings and temporary cash investments .........	101,350	2	26,508
3	Pledges and grants receivable, net ...........	680,876	3	2,667,772
4	Accounts receivable, net .............	3,913	4	32,493
5	Loans and other receivables from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and highest compensated employees. Complete Part II of Schedule L ..................
			5
6	Loans and other receivables from other disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)), persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B), and contributing employers and sponsoring organizations of section 501(c)(9) voluntary employees' beneficiary organizations (see instructions) Complete Part II of Schedule L
			6
7	Notes and loans receivable, net .............		7
8	Inventories for sale or use ..............		8
9	Prepaid expenses and deferred charges ..........	41,998	9	13,449
10a	Land, buildings, and equipment: cost or other basis. Complete Part VI of Schedule D	10a	2,913,133
b	Less: accumulated depreciation .....	10b	1,387,377	1,554,408	10c	1,525,756
11	Investments—publicly traded securities ..........	6,487,572	11	6,848,169
12	Investments—other securities. See Part IV, line 11 .....		12
13	Investments—program-related. See Part IV, line 11 .....		13
14	Intangible assets ...............		14
15	Other assets. See Part IV, line 11 ...........		15
16	Total assets. Add lines 1 through 15 (must equal line 34)......	9,646,310	16	11,520,643
	17	Accounts payable and accrued expenses .........	266,991	17	308,614
18	Grants payable .................		18
19	Deferred revenue ................		19
20	Tax-exempt bond liabilities .............		20
21	Escrow or custodial account liability. Complete Part IV of Schedule D..		21
22	Loans and other payables to current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, highest compensated employees, and disqualified
	persons. Complete Part II of Schedule L..........		22
23	Secured mortgages and notes payable to unrelated third parties ..		23
24	Unsecured notes and loans payable to unrelated third parties ....		24
25	Other liabilities (including federal income tax, payables to related third parties, and other liabilities not included on lines 17-24). Complete Part X of Schedule D....................		25
26	Total liabilities. Add lines 17 through 25.........	266,991	26	308,614
		Organizations that follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958), check here and complete lines 27 through 29, and lines 33 and 34.
27	Unrestricted net assets ..............	9,149,755	27	10,962,857
28	Temporarily restricted net assets ...........	229,564	28	249,172
29	Permanently restricted net assets ...........		29
	Organizations that do not follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958), check here and complete lines 30 through 34.
30	Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds ........		30
31	Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund .....		31
32	Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds		32
33	Total net assets or fund balances ...........	9,379,319	33	11,212,029
34	Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances ........	9,646,310	34	11,520,643

- TIN:

SCHEDULE A
(Form 990 or 990EZ)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Public Charity Status and Public Support

Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.

Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. right arrow

See separate instructions.
right arrow

Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2013

Open to Public
Inspection

Name of the organization

BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Employer identification number

53-0214281

Part I

Reason for Public Charity Status (All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.

The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)

A church, convention of churches, or association of churches described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(i).

A school described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii). (Attach Schedule E.)

A hospital or a cooperative hospital service organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii).

A medical research organization operated in conjunction with a hospital described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii). Enter the hospital's name, city, and state:

An organization operated for the benefit of a college or university owned or operated by a governmental unit described in

section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)

A federal, state, or local government or governmental unit described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(v).

An organization that normally receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or from the general public described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). (Complete Part II.)

A community trust described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). (Complete Part II.)

An organization that normally receives: (1) more than 331/3% of its support from contributions, membership fees, and gross

receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of

its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses

acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)

An organization organized and operated exclusively to test for public safety. See section 509(a)(4).

An organization organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2). See section 509(a)(3). Check the box that describes the type of supporting organization and complete lines 11e through 11h.

Type I

Type II

Type III - Functionally integrated

Type III - Non-functionally integrated

By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).

If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization, check this box ..................................................

Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the
following persons?

(i) A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)

Yes

and (iii) below, the governing body of the supported organization? ................

11g(i)

(ii) A family member of a person described in (i) above? ......................

11g(ii)

(iii) A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above? ................

11g(iii)

Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).

(i) Name of supported organization	(ii) EIN	(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?		(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?		(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?		(vii) Amount of monetary support
(i) Name of supported organization	(ii) EIN	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	(vii) Amount of monetary support


Total

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.

Cat. No. 11285F

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013

Page 2

Part II

Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
(Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)

Section A. Public Support

Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)		(a) 2009	(b) 2010	(c) 2011	(d) 2012	(e) 2013	(f) Total
1	Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....	3,880,975	5,957,958	5,080,161	3,333,809	5,717,556	23,970,459
2	Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3	The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4	Total. Add lines 1 through 3	3,880,975	5,957,958	5,080,161	3,333,809	5,717,556	23,970,459
5	The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..						2,427,658
6	Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.						21,542,801

Section B. Total Support

Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)		(a) 2009	(b) 2010	(c) 2011	(d) 2012	(e) 2013	(f) Total
7	Amounts from line 4..	3,880,975	5,957,958	5,080,161	3,333,809	5,717,556	23,970,459
8	Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...	221,936	244,434	223,100	251,517	261,883	1,202,870
9	Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10	Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..	248,030	242,764	240,959	235,248	206,829	1,173,830
11	Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).						26,347,159

Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions) ..................

101,526

First five years. If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization, check this box and stop here................................................. right arrow

Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage

Public support percentage for 2013 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f)) .........

81.770 %

Public support percentage for 2012 Schedule A, Part II, line 14 ...............

86.480 %

16a

33 1/3% support test—2013. If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ....................... right arrow

33 1/3% support test—2012. If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ..................... right arrow

17a

10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2013. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization ..................................................... right arrow

10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2012. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly
supported organization ................................................ right arrow

Private foundation. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions ..................................................... right arrow

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013

Page 3

Part III

Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2)
(Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)

Section A. Public Support

Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)		(a) 2009	(b) 2010	(c) 2011	(d) 2012	(e) 2013	(f) Total
1	Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2	Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3	Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4	Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5	The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6	Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a	Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b	Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c	Add lines 7a and 7b..
8	Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)

Section B. Total Support

Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)		(a) 2009	(b) 2010	(c) 2011	(d) 2012	(e) 2013	(f) Total
9	Amounts from line 6...
10a	Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b	Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c	Add lines 10a and 10b.
11	Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12	Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.) ..
13	Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..

First five years. If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here............................................. right arrow

Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage

Public support percentage for 2013 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f)) .........

Public support percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 15 ...............

Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage

Investment income percentage for 2013 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f)) ......

Investment income percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 17 .............

19a

33 1/3% support tests—2013. If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3%, and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ........ right arrow

33 1/3% support tests—2012. If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ..... right arrow

Private foundation. If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions ..... right arrow

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013

Page 4

Part IV

Supplemental Information. Provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).

Facts And Circumstances Test

Explanation

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

Schedule B
(Form 990, 990-EZ,
or 990-PF)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Schedule of Contributors

Attach to Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF.

Information about Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2013

Name of the organization

BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Employer identification number

53-0214281

Organization type (check one):

Filers of:

Section:

Form 990 or 990-EZ

501(c)( ) (enter number) organization

4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust not treated as a private foundation

527 political organization

Form 990-PF

501(c)(3) exempt private foundation

4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust treated as a private foundation

501(c)(3) taxable private foundation

Check if your organization is covered by the General Rule or a Special Rule.
Note. Only a section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) organization can check boxes for both the General Rule and a Special Rule. See instructions.

General Rule

For an organization filing Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF that received, during the year, $5,000 or more (in money or
property) from any one contributor. Complete Parts I and II.

Special Rules

For a section 501(c)(3) organization filing Form 990 or 990-EZ that met the 33¹/3% support test of the regulations
under sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) and received from any one contributor, during the year, a contribution of the
greater of (1) $5,000 or (2) 2% of the amount on (i) Form 990, Part VIII, line 1h, or (ii) Form 990-EZ, line 1. Complete Parts I and II.

For a section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) organization filing Form 990 or 990-EZ that received from any one contributor,
during the year, total contributions of more than $1,000 for use exclusively for religious, charitable,
scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. Complete Parts I, II, and
III.

For a section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) organization filing Form 990 or 990-EZ that received from any one contributor,
during the year, contributions for use exclusively for religious, charitable, etc., purposes, but these contributions did
not total more than $1,000. If this box is checked, enter here the total contributions that were received during
the year for an exclusively religious, charitable, etc., purpose. Do not complete any of the parts unless the General Rule
applies to this organization because it received nonexclusively religious, charitable, etc., contributions of $5,000 or more
during the year ......................... Arrow Bullet

Caution. An organization that is not covered by the General Rule and/or the Special Rules does not file Schedule B (Form 990,
990-EZ, or 990-PF), but it must answer “No” on Part IV, line 2, of its Form 990; or check the box on line H of its
Form 990-EZ or on its Form 990PF, Part I, line 2, to certify that it does not meet the filing requirements of Schedule B (Form 990,
990-EZ, or 990-PF).

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions
for Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF.

Cat. No. 30613XSchedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2013)

Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2013)

Page 2

Name of organization BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Part I	Contributors (see instructions). Use duplicate copies of Part I if additional space is needed.
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
RESTRICTED	RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED, RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED	$RESTRICTED	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2013)

Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2013)

Page 3

Name of organization BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Part II	Noncash Property (see instructions). Use duplicate copies of Part II if additional space is needed.
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2013)

Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2013)

Page 4

Name of organization
BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Employer identification number

53-0214281

Part III

Exclusively religious, charitable, etc., individual contributions to section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) organizations
that total more than $1,000 for the year. Complete columns (a) through (e) and the following line entry.
For organizations completing Part III, enter the total of exclusively religious, charitable, etc.,
contributions of $1,000 or less for the year. (Enter this information once. See instructions.) Arrow Bullet

$
Use duplicate copies of Part III if additional space is needed.

(a) No.
from
Part I

(b) Purpose of gift

(d) Description of how gift is held

(e) Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4	Relationship of transferor to transferee

(a) No.
from
Part I

(b) Purpose of gift

(d) Description of how gift is held

(e) Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4	Relationship of transferor to transferee

(a) No.
from
Part I

(b) Purpose of gift

(d) Description of how gift is held

(e) Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4	Relationship of transferor to transferee

(a) No.
from
Part I

(b) Purpose of gift

(d) Description of how gift is held

(e) Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4	Relationship of transferor to transferee

Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2013)

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE C
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Political Campaign and Lobbying Activities

For Organizations Exempt From Income Tax Under section 501(c) and section 527
SchCMd Bullet

Complete if the organization is described below. SchCMd Bullet

Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
SchCMd Bullet

See separate instructions. SchCMd Bullet

Information about Schedule C (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2013

Open to Public
Inspection

If the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, Line 3, or Form 990-EZ, Part V, line 46 (Political Campaign Activities), then
Round Bullet

Section 501(c)(3) organizations: Complete Parts I-A and B. Do not complete Part I-C.
Round Bullet

Section 501(c) (other than section 501(c)(3)) organizations: Complete Parts I-A and C below. Do not complete Part I-B.
Round Bullet

Section 527 organizations: Complete Part I-A only.
If the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, Line 4, or Form 990-EZ, Part VI, line 47 (Lobbying Activities), then
Round Bullet

Section 501(c)(3) organizations that have filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)): Complete Part II-A. Do not complete Part II-B.
Round Bullet

Section 501(c)(3) organizations that have NOT filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)): Complete Part II-B. Do not complete Part II-A.
If the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, Line 5 (Proxy Tax) or Form 990-EZ, Part V, line 35c (Proxy Tax), then
Round Bullet

Section 501(c)(4), (5), or (6) organizations: Complete Part III.

Name of the organization

BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Employer identification number

53-0214281

Part I-A

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c) or is a section 527 organization.

Provide a description of the organization’s direct and indirect political campaign activities in Part IV.

Political expenditures .................................... SchCMd Bullet

Volunteer hours ........................................

Part I-B

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(3).

Enter the amount of any excise tax incurred by the organization under section 4955 ......... SchCMd Bullet

Enter the amount of any excise tax incurred by organization managers under section 4955 ...... SchCMd Bullet

If the organization incurred a section 4955 tax, did it file Form 4720 for this year? ..............

Yes No

Was a correction made? .........................................

Yes No

If "Yes," describe in Part IV.

Part I-C

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c), except section 501(c)(3).

Enter the amount directly expended by the filing organization for section 527 exempt function activities SchCMd Bullet

Enter the amount of the filing organization's funds contributed to other organizations for section 527 exempt function activities ................................... SchCMd Bullet

Total exempt function expenditures. Add lines 1 and 2. Enter here and on Form 1120-POL, line 17b.. SchCMd Bullet

Did the filing organization file Form 1120-POL for this year? ..........................

Yes No

Enter the names, addresses and employer identification number (EIN) of all section 527 political organizations to which the filing
organization made payments. For each organization listed, enter the amount paid from the filing organization’s funds. Also enter the amount of political contributions received that were promptly and directly delivered to a separate political organization, such as a separate segregated fund or a political action committee (PAC). If additional space is needed, provide information in Part IV.

(a) Name	(b) Address	(c) EIN	(d) Amount paid from filing organization's funds. If none, enter -0-.	(e) Amount of political contributions received and promptly and directly delivered to a separate political organization. If none, enter -0-.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Cat. No. 50084S

Schedule C (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013

Page 2

Part II-A

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(3) and filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)).

A Check SchCMd Bullet

if the filing organization belongs to an affiliated group (and list in Part IV each affiliated group member's name, address, EIN, expenses, and share of excess lobbying expenditures).
B Check SchCMd Bullet

if the filing organization checked box A and "limited control" provisions apply.

Limits on Lobbying Expenditures (The term "expenditures" means amounts paid or incurred.)		(a) Filing organization's totals	(b) Affiliated group totals
1a	Total lobbying expenditures to influence public opinion (grass roots lobbying) ......
b	Total lobbying expenditures to influence a legislative body (direct lobbying) .......	40,000
c	Total lobbying expenditures (add lines 1a and 1b) ...................	40,000
d	Other exempt purpose expenditures ........................	4,446,505
e	Total exempt purpose expenditures (add lines 1c and 1d) ...............	4,486,505
f	Lobbying nontaxable amount. Enter the amount from the following table in both columns.	374,325
	If the amount on line 1e, column (a) or (b) is:The lobbying nontaxable amount is:
	Not over $500,00020% of the amount on line 1e.
	Over $500,000 but not over $1,000,000$100,000 plus 15% of the excess over $500,000.
	Over $1,000,000 but not over $1,500,000$175,000 plus 10% of the excess over $1,000,000.
	Over $1,500,000 but not over $17,000,000$225,000 plus 5% of the excess over $1,500,000.
	Over $17,000,000$1,000,000.

g	Grassroots nontaxable amount (enter 25% of line 1f) .................	93,581
h	Subtract line 1g from line 1a. If zero or less, enter -0-. ................	0
i	Subtract line 1f from line 1c. If zero or less, enter -0-. ................	0
j	If there is an amount other than zero on either line 1h or line 1i, did the organization file Form 4720 reporting section 4911 tax for this year? ......................................		Yes No

4-Year Averaging Period Under Section 501(h) (Some organizations that made a section 501(h) election do not have to complete all of the five columns below. See the instructions for lines 2a through 2f on page 4.)
Lobbying Expenditures During 4-Year Averaging Period
	Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)	(a) 2010	(b) 2011	(c) 2012	(d) 2013	(e) Total

2a	Lobbying nontaxable amount	371,181	378,619	418,239	374,325	1,542,364

b	Lobbying ceiling amount (150% of line 2a, column(e))					2,313,546

c	Total lobbying expenditures	40,000	40,000	40,000	40,000	160,000

d	Grassroots nontaxable amount	92,795	94,655	104,560	93,581	385,591

e	Grassroots ceiling amount (150% of line 2d, column (e))					578,387

f	Grassroots lobbying expenditures

Schedule C (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013

Page 3

Part II-B

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(3) and has NOT filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)).

For each "Yes" response to lines 1a through 1i below, provide in Part IV a detailed description of the lobbying activity.

(a)

Yes

(b)

Amount

During the year, did the filing organization attempt to influence foreign, national, state or local legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion on a legislative matter or referendum, through the use of:

Volunteers? .........................................

Paid staff or management (include compensation in expenses reported on lines 1c through 1i)? ....

Media advertisements? ....................................

Mailings to members, legislators, or the public? .........................

Publications, or published or broadcast statements? .......................

Grants to other organizations for lobbying purposes? .......................

Direct contact with legislators, their staffs, government officials, or a legislative body? ........

Rallies, demonstrations, seminars, conventions, speeches, lectures, or any similar means? ......

Other activities? ..........................

Total. Add lines 1c through 1i ...............................

Did the activities in line 1 cause the organization to be not described in section 501(c)(3)? .....

If "Yes," enter the amount of any tax incurred under section 4912 .................

If "Yes," enter the amount of any tax incurred by organization managers under section 4912 .....

If the filing organization incurred a section 4912 tax, did it file Form 4720 for this year? .......

Part III-A

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(4), section 501(c)(5), or section 501(c)(6).

Yes

Were substantially all (90% or more) dues received nondeductible by members? ................

Did the organization make only in-house lobbying expenditures of $2,000 or less? ................

Did the organization agree to carry over lobbying and political expenditures from the prior year? ..........

Part III-B

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(4), section 501(c)(5), or section 501(c)(6) and if either (a) BOTH Part III-A, lines 1 and 2, are answered "No" OR (b) Part III-A, line 3, is answered “Yes."

Dues, assessments and similar amounts from members .....................

Section 162(e) nondeductible lobbying and political expenditures (do not include amounts of political
expenses for which the section 527(f) tax was paid).

Current year .........................................

Carryover from last year ....................................

Total ............................................

Aggregate amount reported in section 6033(e)(1)(A) notices of nondeductible section 162(e) dues .

If notices were sent and the amount on line 2c exceeds the amount on line 3, what portion of the excess does the organization agree to carryover to the reasonable estimate of nondeductible lobbying and political expenditure next year? ................................

Taxable amount of lobbying and political expenditures (see instructions) ..............

Part IV

Supplemental Information

Provide the descriptions required for Part l-A, line 1; Part l-B, line 4; Part l-C, line 5; Part II-A (affiliated group list); Part II-A, line 2; and Part ll-B, line 1. Also, complete this part for any additional information.

Return Reference	Explanation
SCHEDULE C, PART II-A	BVA SENT LETTERS TO AND MET DIRECTLY WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LEGISLATORS, AND COMMUNICATED TO ITS MEMBERS BY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS. BVA'S EFFORTS ARE CONCENTRATED ON LEGISLATION AFFECTING BLIND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO BLINDED VETERANS. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BVA'S ADVOCACY PROGRAM.

Schedule C (Form 990 or 990EZ) 2013

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE D
(Form 990)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Supplemental Financial Statements

Complete if the organization answered "Yes," to Form 990,
Part IV, line 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 12a, or 12b
SchDMd Bullet

Attach to Form 990. SchDMd Bullet

See separate instructions. SchDMd Bullet

Information about Schedule D (Form 990) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2013

Open to Public Inspection

Name of the organization

BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Employer identification number

53-0214281

Part I

Organizations Maintaining Donor Advised Funds or Other Similar Funds or Accounts. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 6.

		(a) Donor advised funds	(b) Funds and other accounts
1	Total number at end of year .........
2	Aggregate contributions to (during year) ...
3	Aggregate grants from (during year) .....
4	Aggregate value at end of year ........

Did the organization inform all donors and donor advisors in writing that the assets held in donor advised
funds are the organization's property, subject to the organization's exclusive legal control? ............

Yes No

Did the organization inform all grantees, donors, and donor advisors in writing that grant funds can be
used only for charitable purposes and not for the benefit of the donor or donor advisor, or for any other purpose conferring impermissible private benefit? ...................................

Yes No

Part II

Conservation Easements. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 7.

Purpose(s) of conservation easements held by the organization (check all that apply).

Preservation of land for public use (e.g., recreation or education) Preservation of an historically important land area

Protection of natural habitat Preservation of a certified historic structure

Preservation of open space

Complete lines 2a through 2d if the organization held a qualified conservation contribution in the form of a conservation easement on the last day of the tax year.


a	Total number of conservation easements .......................	2a
b	Total acreage restricted by conservation easements ..................	2b
c	Number of conservation easements on a certified historic structure included in (a) .....	2c
d	Number of conservation easements included in (c) acquired after 8/17/06, and not on a historic structure listed in the National Register ....................	2d

Number of conservation easements modified, transferred, released, extinguished, or terminated by the organization during
the tax year SchDMd Bullet

Number of states where property subject to conservation easement is located SchDMd Bullet

Does the organization have a written policy regarding the periodic monitoring, inspection, handling of violations, and
enforcement of the conservation easements it holds? .............................

Yes No

Staff and volunteer hours devoted to monitoring, inspecting, and enforcing conservation easements during the year
SchDMd Bullet

Amount of expenses incurred in monitoring, inspecting, and enforcing conservation easements during the year
SchDMd Bullet

Does each conservation easement reported on line 2(d) above satisfy the requirements of section 170(h)(4)(B)(i) and section 170(h)(4)(B)(ii)? .......................................

Yes No

In Part XIII, describe how the organization reports conservation easements in its revenue and expense statement, and
balance sheet, and include, if applicable, the text of the footnote to the organization’s financial statements that describes
the organization’s accounting for conservation easements.

Part III

Organizations Maintaining Collections of Art, Historical Treasures, or Other Similar Assets.
Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 8.

If the organization elected, as permitted under SFAS 116 (ASC 958), not to report in its revenue statement and balance sheet works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets held for public exhibition, education, or research in furtherance of public service, provide, in Part XIII, the text of the footnote to its financial statements that describes these items.

If the organization elected, as permitted under SFAS 116 (ASC 958), to report in its revenue statement and balance sheet works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets held for public exhibition, education, or research in furtherance of public service, provide the following amounts relating to these items:

(i)

Revenues included in Form 990, Part VIII, line 1 ........................ SchDMd Bullet

(ii)

Assets included in Form 990, Part X .............................. SchDMd Bullet

If the organization received or held works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets for financial gain, provide the
following amounts required to be reported under SFAS 116 (ASC 958) relating to these items:

Revenues included in Form 990, Part VIII, line 1 .......................... SchDMd Bullet

Assets included in Form 990, Part X ............................... SchDMd Bullet

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.

Cat. No. 52283D

Schedule D (Form 990) 2013

Page 2

Part III

Organizations Maintaining Collections of Art, Historical Treasures, or Other Similar Assets (continued)

Using the organization’s acquisition, accession, and other records, check any of the following that are a significant use of its collection items (check all that apply):

Public exhibition

Loan or exchange programs

Scholarly research

Other

Preservation for future generations

Provide a description of the organization’s collections and explain how they further the organization’s exempt purpose in
Part XIII.

During the year, did the organization solicit or receive donations of art, historical treasures or other similar
assets to be sold to raise funds rather than to be maintained as part of the organization’s collection?........

Yes No

Part IV

Escrow and Custodial Arrangements. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990,
Part IV, line 9, or reported an amount on Form 990, Part X, line 21.

Is the organization an agent, trustee, custodian or other intermediary for contributions or other assets not
included on Form 990, Part X? ....................................

Yes No

If "Yes," explain the arrangement in Part XIII and complete the following table:


c	Beginning balance .................................	1c
d	Additions during the year ..............................	1d
e	Distributions during the year .............................	1e
f	Ending balance ...................................	1f

Did the organization include an amount on Form 990, Part X, line 21? .....................

Yes No

If "Yes," explain the arrangement in Part XIII. Check here if the explanation has been provided in Part XIII ........

Part V

Endowment Funds. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 10.

		(a)Current year	(b)Prior year	b (c)Two years back	(d)Three years back	(e)Four years back
1a	Beginning of year balance ....
b	Contributions ........
c	Net investment earnings, gains, and losses
d	Grants or scholarships .....
e	Other expenditures for facilities and programs ........
f	Administrative expenses ....
g	End of year balance ......

Provide the estimated percentage of the current year end balance (line 1g, column (a)) held as:

Board designated or quasi-endowment SchDMd Bullet

Permanent endowment SchDMd Bullet

Temporarily restricted endowment SchDMd Bullet

The percentages in lines 2a, 2b, and 2c should equal 100%.

Are there endowment funds not in the possession of the organization that are held and administered for the
organization by:

Yes

(i) unrelated organizations ........................

3a(i)

(ii) related organizations ........................

3a(ii)

If "Yes" to 3a(ii), are the related organizations listed as required on Schedule R? .........

Describe in Part XIII the intended uses of the organization's endowment funds.

Part VI

Land, Buildings, and Equipment. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11a. See Form 990, Part X, line 10.

Description of property		(b)Cost or other basis (other)	(c) Accumulated depreciation	(d) Book value
1a	Land .................	638,689		638,689
b	Buildings ................	2,161,283	1,313,561	847,722
c	Leasehold improvements ............
d	Equipment ................	113,161	73,816	39,345
e	Other .................
Total. Add lines 1a through 1e. (Column (d) must equal Form 990, Part X, column (B), line 10(c).).......				1,525,756

Schedule D (Form 990) 2013

Page 3

Part VII

InvestmentsOther Securities. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11b. See Form 990, Part X, line 12.

(a) Description of security or category (including name of security)		(b)Book value	(c) Method of valuation: Cost or end-of-year market value
(1)Financial derivatives
(2)Closely-held equity interests
Other








Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col. (B) line 12.)

Part VIII

InvestmentsProgram Related. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11c. See Form 990, Part X, line 13.

(a) Description of investment		(b) Book value	(c) Method of valuation: Cost or end-of-year market value









Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col.(B) line 13.)

Part IX

Other Assets. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11d. See Form 990, Part X, line 15.

(a) Description				(b) Book value









Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col.(B) line 15.)...........

Part X

Other Liabilities. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11e or 11f. See Form 990, Part X, line 25.

1.(a) Description of liability		(b) Book value
Federal income taxes









Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col.(B) line 25.)
2. Liability for uncertain tax positions In Part XIII, provide the text of the footnote to the organization's financial statements that reports the organization's liability for uncertain tax positions under FIN 48 (ASC 740). Check here if the text of the footnote has been provided in Part XIII ..................................................

Schedule D (Form 990) 2013

Page 4

Part XI Reconciliation of Revenue per Audited Financial Statements With Revenue per Return Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 12a.
1	Total revenue, gains, and other support per audited financial statements .......			1	6,677,167
2	Amounts included on line 1 but not on Form 990, Part VIII, line 12:
a	Net unrealized gains on investments ..........	2a	52,578
b	Donated services and use of facilities .........	2b	352,614
c	Recoveries of prior year grants ...........	2c
d	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ............	2d	5,338
e	Add lines 2a through 2d .....................			2e	410,530
3	Subtract line 2e from line 1.....................			3	6,266,637
4	Amounts included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 12, but not on line 1:
a	Investment expenses not included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 7b .	4a
b	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ...........	4b
c	Add lines 4a and 4b.......................			4c	0
5	Total revenue. Add lines 3 and 4c. (This must equal Form 990, Part I, line 12.) ......			5	6,266,637

Part XII Reconciliation of Expenses per Audited Financial Statements With Expenses per Return. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 12a.
1	Total expenses and losses per audited financial statements ...........			1	4,844,457
2	Amounts included on line 1 but not on Form 990, Part IX, line 25:
a	Donated services and use of facilities ..........	2a	352,614
b	Prior year adjustments ..............	2b
c	Other losses ................	2c
d	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ............	2d	5,338
e	Add lines 2a through 2d......................			2e	357,952
3	Subtract line 2e from line 1.....................			3	4,486,505
4	Amounts included on Form 990, Part IX, line 25, but not on line 1:
a	Investment expenses not included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 7b ..	4a
b	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ............	4b
c	Add lines 4a and 4b.......................			4c	0
5	Total expenses. Add lines 3 and 4c. (This must equal Form 990, Part I, line 18.) ......			5	4,486,505

Part XIII

Supplemental Information

Provide the descriptions required for Part II, lines 3, 5, and 9; Part III, lines 1a and 4; Part lV, lines 1b and 2b;
Part V, line 4; Part X, line 2; Part XI, lines 2d and 4b; and Part XII, lines 2d and 4b. Also complete this part to provide any additional information.

Return Reference	Explanation
PART X, LINE 2:	THE ASSOCIATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 509(A) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; ACCORDINGLY, THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DO NOT REFLECT A PROVISION OR LIABILITY FOR FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES. THE ASSOCIATION HAS DETERMINED THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY MATERIAL UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS OR OBLIGATIONS AS OF JUNE 30, 2014 AND JUNE 30, 2013. YEARS ENDING ON OR AFTER JUNE 30, 2011 REMAIN SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY FEDERAL AND STATE TAX AUTHORITIES.
PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS:	FUNDRAISING - DIRECT EXPENSE REFLECTED ON PART VIII, LINE 8B 5,338.
PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS:	FUNDRAISING - DIRECT EXPENSE REFLECTED ON PART VIII, LINE 8B 5,338.

Schedule D (Form 990) 2013

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

Schedule I
(Form 990)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Grants and Other Assistance to Organizations,
Governments and Individuals in the United States

Complete if the organization answered "Yes," to Form 990, Part IV, line 21 or 22.
lBullet

Attach to Form 990
lBullet

Information about Schedule I (Form 990) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2013

Open to Public
Inspection

Name of the organization
BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Employer identification number
53-0214281

Part I

General Information on Grants and Assistance

Does the organization maintain records to substantiate the amount of the grants or assistance, the grantees' eligibility for the grants or assistance, and
the selection criteria used to award the grants or assistance? ....................................

Yes No

Describe in Part IV the organization's procedures for monitoring the use of grant funds in the United States.

Part II

Grants and Other Assistance to Governments and Organizations in the United States. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to
Form 990, Part IV, line 21, for any recipient that received more than $5,000. Part II can be duplicated if additional space is needed.

(a) Name and address of organization or government	(b) EIN	(c) IRC Code section if applicable	(d) Amount of cash grant	(e) Amount of non-cash assistance	(f) Method of valuation (book, FMV, appraisal, other)	(g) Description of non-cash assistance	(h) Purpose of grant or assistance

Enter total number of section 501(c)(3) and government organizations listed in the line 1 table ................ Bullet Image

Enter total number of other organizations listed in the line 1 table ........................ . Bullet Image

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.

Cat. No. 50055P

Schedule I (Form 990) 2013

Page 2

Part III

Grants and Other Assistance to Individuals in the United States. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 22.
Part III can be duplicated if additional space is needed.

(a)Type of grant or assistance	(b)Number of recipients	(c)Amount of cash grant	(e)Method of valuation (book, FMV, appraisal, other)
(1) SCHOLARSHIPS	7	13,000	CASH
(2) SERVICE AWARDS	2	400	CASH

Part IV

Supplemental Information. Provide the information required in Part I, line 2, Part III, column (b), and any other additional information.

Return Reference	Explanation
PART I, LINE 2:	THE ATTENDING COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY LISTED ON THE RECIPIENT'S SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS CONTACTED BY A BVA EMPLOYEE. FUNDS ARE DISBURSED DIRECTLY TO THAT SCHOOL UPON RECEIPT OF AN INVOICE FOR PAYMENT RATIFYING THE FACT THAT THE STUDENT IS ENROLLED.

Schedule I (Form 990) 2013

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE O
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ

Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
MediumBullet

Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
MediumBullet

Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at
www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2013

Open to Public
Inspection

Name of the organization

BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Employer identification number

53-0214281

Return Reference	Explanation
FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1	THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE THE BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION (BVA) IS THE ONLY CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION (VSO) EXCLUSIVELY DEDICATED TO SERVING THE NEEDS AND PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF AMERICA'S BLINDED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BVA IS A NONPROFIT 501(C)3 TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED IN 1945 IN AVON, CONNECTICUT, BY A SMALL GROUP OF COMBAT-BLINDED VETERANS FROM WORLD WAR II. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY PURPOSE INCLUDES LOCATING BLINDED VETERANS WHO NEED SERVICES, GUIDING THEM THROUGH THE REHABILITATION PROCESS, AND ACTING AS ADVOCATES FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS, INCLUDING THE U.S. CONGRESS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA). BVA ALSO PROVIDES ROLE MODELS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE CHALLENGES OF SUBSTANTIAL VISION LOSS CAN BE OVERCOME. THE ASSOCIATION SERVES AS A MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION REGARDING ISSUES AFFECTING BLINDED VETERANS, SUPPORTS VOCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER REHABILITATION, AND OFFERS ENCOURAGEMENT AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. VA ESTIMATES THAT SOME 130,000 AMERICAN VETERANS ARE CURRENTLY LEGALLY BLIND, AND THAT AT LEAST HALF OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN REMAIN UNAWARE OF THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIAL SERVICES AND BENEFITS. THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL VETERANS BECOME BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED EVERY YEAR. BVA PROGRAMS HELP VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES MEET THE CHALLENGES OF SUBSTANTIAL VISION LOSS. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR ANY BVA SERVICE AND MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION IS NOT A PREREQUISITE. ALL LEGALLY BLINDED VETERANS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE, WHETHER THEY BECAME BLIND DURING COMBAT OR AFTER ACTIVE DUTY DUE TO AGE OR DISEASE. BVA WAS INCORPORATED IN 1947 AND CHARTERED BY CONGRESS IN 1958 TO REPRESENT ALL BLINDED VETERANS. THE ASSOCIATION DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY GRANTS OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT; INSTEAD, IT IS SUPPORTED BY THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS WHO REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES OF OUR NATION'S BLINDED VETERANS. THE ORGANIZATION IS MANAGED BY 11 VOTING MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ALONG WITH TWO HONORARY MEMBERS INCLUDING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR, WHOSE POSITIONS ARE HELD ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS. THEY GIVE FREELY OF THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES. THEY ARE ALL MEMBERS OF BVA AND ALL MEET THE CRITERIA OF WHAT CONSTITUTES A BLINDED VETERAN AS DEFINED FOR ALL BVA MEMBERS. THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE ALSO MET BY THE NATIONAL SERGEANT-AT-ARMS AND THE NATIONAL CHAPLAIN. BOARD MEMBER TRAVEL INCLUDES ATTENDANCE AT TWO ANNUAL BOARD MEETINGS, ONE HELD AT THE ANNUAL CONVENTION LOCATION AND THE OTHER AT BVA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ALSO CONDUCT BUSINESS USING EMAIL AND THROUGH TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. THEY ARE INVOLVED NOT ONLY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL BUT ALSO WITHIN THE REGION IN WHICH THEY RESIDE, HOLDING OFFICES AND ASSISTING BLINDED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS FISCAL YEAR THE BOARD DONATED MORE THAN 7,300 TOTAL HOURS OF WORK AND MORE THAN $2,500 IN REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES THAT WERE NOT REQUESTED FOR PAYMENT. THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPOINTS MANY COMMITTEES TO OVERSEE AND ADVISE IT. ALL OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE VOLUNTEERS; SOME ARE ON THE BOARD WHILE OTHERS ARE REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION. SOME COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE SIMPLY CONCERNED AND INTERESTED SIGHTED CITIZENS WHO WISH TO LEND A HELPING HAND. DURING THE PAST FISCAL YEAR, COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT ON THE BOARD DONATED OVER 100 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME. BVA HAS 53 REGIONAL GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES AND PUERTO RICO WHO OFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, SOCIAL EVENTS, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO VETERANS WITH SUBSTANTIAL VISION LOSS AND THEIR FAMILIES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. REGIONAL GROUPS ALSO INFLUENCE POLICY CHANGES THAT ARE INSTITUTED BY THE ASSOCIATION. LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, DC, BVA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS IS WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO CAPITOL HILL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) CENTRAL OFFICE.
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4	A) FIELD SERVICE AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMS THE BVA FIELD SERVICE PROGRAM CONSISTS PRIMARILY OF SEVEN NATIONAL FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS AND A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE LEGALLY BLIND VETERANS THEMSELVES, WORKING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND PUERTO RICO. THE NATIONAL FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS WERE BASED IN THE FOLLOWING CITIES: PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA; THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; DECATUR, GEORGIA; HINES, ILLINOIS; HOUSTON, TEXAS; SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA; AND ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA. THEY ARE DEDICATED AND DEVOTED MEMBERS OF BVA'S STAFF. ACTING AS ROLE MODELS, NATIONAL FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS ASSIST BLINDED VETERANS IN TAKING THE FIRST STEPS IN ADJUSTING TO BLINDNESS AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LINKING VETERANS WITH LOCAL SERVICES, ASSURING THAT THE NEWLY BLINDED TAKE ADVANTAGE OF VA BLIND REHABILITATION SERVICES AND ASSISTING THEM WITH THE VA BENEFIT CLAIMS PROCESS. THEY AIM TO HELP VETERANS BRING FOCUS AND DIRECTION TO THEIR LIVES, PROVIDING INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT. UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITIES AND EMOTIONS THAT ACCOMPANY THE ONSET OF BLINDNESS, FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS ARE EFFECTIVE ROLE MODELS IN HELPING NEWLY BLINDED VETERANS FIND AND FOLLOW THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE. THEY KNOW WHAT IS AVAILABLE ON BOTH A LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL. THEY KNOW WHOM TO CALL, WHAT TO SAY, AND HOW TO CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE SINCE MUCH OF THEIR EXPERTISE HAS BEEN GAINED FIRSTHAND AS A RESULT OF THEIR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH BLINDNESS. DURING FY 2014, THE BVA FIELD SERVICE PROGRAM WAS CONTACTED BY 7,310 VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. VA GRANTED 280 CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION AND PENSION TO VETERANS ASSISTED BY THE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN $4,073,745 IN TOTAL RETROACTIVE PAYMENTS AND $245,973 IN MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS. THERE WERE 62 CLAIMS AFFECTING BLINDED VETERANS THAT WERE PROCESSED AT THE BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS. TOTAL NATIONAL FIELD SERVICE OFFICER PENDING CLAIMS STOOD AT 704. IN FY 2014 BVA WAS AWARDED ANOTHER GRANT FROM THE READER'S DIGEST PARTNERS FOR SIGHT FOUNDATION. THIS ONE IS A $15,000 CHALLENGE GRANT WHICH CONTINUES TO ENABLE BVA'S SEVEN FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS TO TRAVEL TO THE 13 REGIONAL VA BRCS TO MEET WITH VETERANS AND STAFF. AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR BVA RECEIVED $10,700 OF THE $15,000 WITH CONTINUED EFFORTS TO RECEIVE THE DONATIONS NECESSARY TO MEET THE CHALLENGE. THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO CONTINUE ALLOWING THE FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS TO CONNECT WITH AN ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF VETERANS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE, AND TO ASSESS THE STANDARDS OF CARE AT THE BRC FACILITIES. HAVING FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS MEET WITH VA STAFF AS WELL AS VETERANS GIVES A COMPREHENSIVE OVERALL PICTURE OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE BRCS. THIS KNOWLEDGE ALLOWS BVA TO BETTER SPREAD BEST PRACTICES FROM ONE BRC TO ANOTHER. THE GRANT CONTINUES TO MEET THE INITIAL GOAL OF ALLOWING THE FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS TO REACH AND ASSIST VETERANS OF WHOM BVA HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN AWARE. FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS HOLD EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOR ALL VETERANS AT THE BRCS THEY VISIT, FOLLOWED BY ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH VETERANS WHO NEED FURTHER HELP AND ADVICE. AS BVA COMPILED THE REPORTS FOR READER'S DIGEST PARTNERS FOR SIGHT, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE GRANTS NOT ONLY ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF REACHING MORE VETERANS BUT ALSO ENABLE BVA TO BETTER MEET THE CURRENT NEEDS OF BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED VETERANS. THE FIELD SERVICE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO REVITALIZE THE SITE VISIT PROCESS NOT ONLY TO REVIEW THE BRC BUT TO REVIEW FULL CONTINUUM OF CARE PROVIDED BY THE VA FACILITY. NATIONAL FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS RECEIVED TRAINING TWICE IN FY 2014, ONCE AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, IN AUGUST (FIVE DAYS) AND AGAIN AT MID-WINTER MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON, DC (THREE DAYS IN FEBRUARY). BVA PROVIDED FUNDING FOR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND ASSISTANCE FOR AT LEAST 28 BLINDED VETERANS WITH LIMITED MEANS TO ATTEND VARIOUS VA BLIND REHABILITATION CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AS AN ADDITIONAL MEANINGFUL ADJUNCT TO THE BVA FIELD SERVICE PROGRAM, THE VOLUNTEER OFFICES ARE LOCATED IN VA MEDICAL CENTERS, REGIONAL OFFICES, AND OUTPATIENT CLINICS NATIONWIDE. VOLUNTEERS ARE PEER COUNSELORS AND VOLUNTEER NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICERS (VNSOS). THE PROGRAM PROVIDES ANOTHER OUTLET FOR BLINDED VETERANS TO HELP AND SERVE ONE ANOTHER SINCE A LARGE NUMBER OF BVA VOLUNTEERS ARE BLINDED VETERANS THEMSELVES. THEY LISTEN AND SHARE IDEAS IN GROUPS, OFFER INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, ENCOURAGE BLINDED VETERANS TO ENTER REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, AND DEMONSTRATE EQUIPMENT AND AIDS USED BY THE BLIND. THEY ALSO REINFORCE THE WORK OF THE NATIONAL FIELD SERVICE OFFICER BY HELPING TO LIFT FELLOW VETERANS FROM THE DISCOURAGEMENT AND FRUSTRATION THEY OFTEN FACE. BVA VOLUNTEERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ACTIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND TO BE GOOD SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THEY ARE AN IMPORTANT LINK IN THE BVA CHAIN OF SERVICES. A TOTAL OF 209 BVA VOLUNTEERS DONATED 34,165 HOURS OF TIME. AN EXTENSION OF THE FIELD SERVICE PROGRAM, OPERATION PEER SUPPORT (OPS), WAS ESTABLISHED IN FY 2006. OPS CONSTITUTES AN ONGOING EFFORT TO CONNECT NEWLY BLINDED VETERANS FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WITH OTHER OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) SERVICE MEMBERS. IT ALSO SEEKS TO CONNECT THE NEWLY BLINDED SERVICE MEMBERS WITH BLINDED VETERANS FROM THE FIRST GULF WAR, VIETNAM, KOREA, AND WORLD WAR II. THIS PAST YEAR, EIGHT NEWLY BLINDED SERVICE MEMBERS FROM AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ, ACCOMPANIED BY A SPOUSE OR FAMILY MEMBER, ATTENDED BVA'S 68TH NATIONAL CONVENTION IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON. FOUR BRITISH SOLDIERS AND ONE RETURNING BLIND VETERANS UK PARTICIPANT ALSO ACCEPTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE EDUCATIONAL PEER SUPPORT MEETINGS. ALL EXPENSES OF THE NEW PARTICIPANTS WERE PAID BY BVA'S OPS PROGRAM WHILE 13 ALUMNI RETURNED TO PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. THEY ALL FELT THE PROGRAM WAS SO BENEFICIAL THAT THEY WANTED TO RETURN AND OFFER ASSISTANCE TO THE NEWLY BLINDED SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WHILE OPS PROVIDES THESE VETERANS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN TOGETHER AT BVA'S NATIONAL CONVENTION IN THE UNITED STATES, A SPIN OFF PROGRAM, PROJECT GEMINI, ALLOWS A SIMILAR FOR HOSTING IN ENGLAND BY BLIND VETERANS UK. IN FY 2014, EFFORTS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR SIX AMERICAN BLINDED VETERANS TO EXPERIENCE BRITISH HOSPITALITY. ALL OF BVA'S PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY AND ATTRIBUTED TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF INDIVIDUALS AND PRIVATE COMPANIES. BVA APPRECIATES AND IS VERY THANKFUL FOR THE CONTINUAL SUPPORT PROVIDED EVERY YEAR. BVA'S WEBSITE, WWW.BVA.ORG, PROVIDES ONE MEANS OF FACILITATING GREATER SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC FOR ALL OF ITS PROGRAMS BY OFFERING ONLINE DONATION CAPABILITIES.
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B	B) PUBLIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION AT THE FOUNDATION OF ALL BVA COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORTS NATIONALLY IS THE BVA BULLETIN, CURRENTLY A QUARTERLY PERIODICAL SENT TO ALL BLINDED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR WHOM THE ASSOCIATION HAS CONTACT INFORMATION. THE PUBLICATION IS ALSO MAILED TO DOZENS OF LIBRARIES, HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS, VSOS, VA BLIND REHABILITATION SERVICE EMPLOYEES, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. FOR OUTREACH AND MARKETING PURPOSES, MULTIPLE COPIES OF THE BULLETIN WERE SENT TO APPROXIMATELY 85 INDIVIDUAL DESTINATIONS. ALTHOUGH THE BULLETIN FOCUSES ON ISSUES AND EVENTS RELATING SPECIFICALLY TO BLINDED VETERANS, IT IS ALSO THE PUBLIC FACE OF THE ORGANIZATION. IT COVERS BOTH GENERAL TOPICS ABOUT VETERANS AS WELL AS BLINDNESS (I.E., TECHNOLOGY, SOCIAL ISSUES, ETC.). AVERAGE CIRCULATION OF THE LARGE-PRINT VERSION OF THE BULLETIN WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,125 IN FISCAL YEAR 2014. A COMPACT DISK VERSION, WHICH IS MADE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS ONLY, HAD AN AVERAGE CIRCULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 90 FOR THE FOUR ISSUES COMPARED TO 65 THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE NUMBER OF BVA MEMBERS RECEIVING THE BULLETIN VIA EMAIL IS NOW 175, AN INCREASE OF 12 PERCENT FROM 2013. IT CAN ALSO BE HEARD BY DOWNLOADING AN MP3 FILE THAT IS ACCESSIBLE ON THE BULLETIN PAGE OF THE BVA WEBSITE. THROUGH THE DONATED SERVICES OF NORTH AMERICAN PRECIS SYNDICATE (NAPS), BVA DISTRIBUTED A SERIES OF NEWSPAPER, RADIO, AND TELEVISION RELEASES HIGHLIGHTING ITS WORK. DURING FY 2014, BVA PRODUCED TWO 2-COLUMN NATIONAL NEWSPAPER RELEASES, ONE SPANISH NEWSPAPER RELEASE, THREE 30-SECOND NATIONAL RADIO RELEASES, ONE SPANISH 60-SECOND RADIO RELEASE, AND TWO 30-SECOND NATIONAL TELEVISION RELEASES. BY VIRTUE OF THE HEAVILY DISCOUNTED PACKAGE SELECTED, THE ASSOCIATION RECEIVED ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION FOR A PAYMENT OF $18,250. ALL OF THE RELEASES PROVIDED AN OUTLINE OF BVA'S MISSION, HISTORY, AND SERVICES, BUT THE LEAD-IN FOR EACH RELEASE DIFFERED FROM ONE RELEASE TO THE NEXT. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE DONATED MEDIA TIME AND SPACE FOR THE RELEASES AIRED AND PRINTED IN FY 2014, IF PAID FOR BY BVA FOR ACTUAL NEWSPAPER, RADIO, AND TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENTS, WAS $343,042. THIS DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE 75,530,832 TOTAL UNIQUE VISITORS TO THE TWO 2-COLUMN NEWSPAPER NATIONAL RELEASES AND THE 2-COLUMN SPANISH RELEASE DISTRIBUTED IN FY 2014. NEWS RELEASES WERE AIRED OR PRINTED A TOTAL OF 7,415 TIMES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, A RATHER SIZEABLE INCREASE OF 1,611 OVER THE FIGURE OF 5,704 FOR FY 2013. THE BVA WEBSITE HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN VISITORS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. IT ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE OF 188 UNIQUE VISITORS PER DAY DURING FISCAL YEAR 2014. A DISPROPORTIONATELY LARGE MAJORITY OF THE VISITS ORIGINATED THROUGH THE GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINE. OTHER SEARCH ENGINES CONTRIBUTED TO THE EFFORT MORE THAN EVER BEFORE BUT STILL TO A LESSER EXTENT THAN DID GOOGLE. ALTHOUGH STILL RELATIVELY SMALL IN NUMBER, THE NUMBER OF VISITS THROUGH LINKS ON OTHER SITES IS INCREASING. THE BVA SITE IS A CONSTANT WORK IN PROGRESS THAT HAS MADE CONSISTENT IMPROVEMENTS BUT WHICH HAS CONSIDERABLE WORK AHEAD IN ORDER TO HELP THE ORGANIZATION FULFILL ITS MISSION IN THE 21ST CENTURY. IN FY14, BVA UTILIZED TWO PRINT BROCHURES IN SPREADING ITS MESSAGE. ONE IS USED PRIMARILY FOR FUNDRAISING PURPOSES, REACHING OUT TO OTHER VSOS AND TO OFFICES ON CAPITOL HILL. THE OTHER IS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO INTEREST PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS. BVA MAINTAINS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS ON MAJOR SITES SUCH AS FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND YOUTUBE. OVER THE PAST YEARS, BVA HAS ATTRACTED A LARGE FOLLOWING AND CURRENTLY COMMANDS A SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 6,000 FOLLOWERS. BVA USES THESE RESOURCES TO SPREAD INFORMATION TO ITS FOLLOWERS ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION'S ACTIVITIES AND RECENT LEGISLATIVE NEWS, AND TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT ISSUES FACING BLINDED VETERANS. SOCIAL MEDIA IS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN COORDINATING WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND EDUCATING BVA FOLLOWERS ABOUT THE HELPFUL RESOURCES AVAILABLE. BVA DISTRIBUTES DIRECT MAIL LITERATURE TO FRIENDS AND PROSPECTIVE SUPPORTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AS PART OF ITS JOINT PUBLIC AWARENESS AND FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS. THERE ARE SEVERAL CALLS FOR ACTION IN EACH OF THE APPEALS AND EACH IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE THE AUDIENCE TO GET DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN MEANINGFUL WAYS TO HELP THE ASSOCIATION CARRY OUT ITS MISSION. THE FIRST IS A REQUEST FOR NAMES, ADDRESSES, AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF BLINDED VETERANS WHO MIGHT NEED ASSISTANCE. RESPONSES ARE PASSED ALONG TO BVA NATIONAL FIELD SERVICE OFFICERS FOR ACTION. THE SECOND IS A REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS TO DISTRIBUTE EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE TO REACH BLINDED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES. INFORMATIONAL BROCHURES ARE MAILED TO THOSE RESPONDING. THE THIRD IS A REQUEST TO LEARN "WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE A BLIND PERSON" AND TO ACT ACCORDINGLY WHEN MEETING SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL. THERE IS A FOURTH CALL FOR ACTION IN SOME OF THE APPEALS. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR FRIENDS AND PROSPECTIVE DONORS TO WRITE A PERSONAL MESSAGE ON AN ENCLOSED GREETING CARD AND MAIL IT TO A BLINDED VETERAN THROUGH BVA. BVA RECEIVES THOUSANDS OF THESE CARDS AND DELIVERS THEM TO BLINDED VETERANS IN REHABILITATION CENTERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. EACH CALL FOR ACTION IS IN SUPPORT OF BVA'S MISSION TO LOCATE AND ASSIST BLINDED VETERANS AND TO HELP THEM TAKE THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACES IN SOCIETY AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT BLINDNESS ISSUES. RECIPIENT RESPONSES ARE RECORDED WHEN POSSIBLE. BVA ALLOCATES A PORTION OF ITS DIRECT MAIL EXPENSES TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL ACCORDING TO AICPA STATEMENT OF POSITION 98-2 (SOP 98-2), ACCOUNTING FOR COSTS OF ACTIVITIIES OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES THAT INCLUDE FUNDRAISING, NOW CODIFIED IN FASB ACCOUNTING STANDARDS CODIFICATION 958-720, NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES-OTHER EXPENSES (ASC 958-720). BVA UNDERTAKES A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF ITS ACTIVITIES TO DETERMINE IF THE PURPOSE, AUDIENCE, AND CONTENT CRITERIA ARE MET AND, IF SO, APPLIES A SYSTEMATIC, RATIONAL JOINT COST ALLOCATION METHODOLOGY. BVA MAKES ITS FINANCIAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND WATCHDOG AGENCIES. BVA ADHERES TO THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH BY THE COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (#10513), THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WISE GIVING ALLIANCE, AND GUIDESTAR.ORG. BVA IS PROUD TO DISPLAY ITS SEAL AWARDED BY THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) AS AN ACCREDITED CHARITY. BVA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DISTRIBUTES BROCHURES, EXTRA COPIES OF THE BULLETIN, AND OVERRUNS FROM ITS DIRECT MAIL PIECES TO REGIONAL GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL BLINDED VETERANS WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN OUTREACH EFFORTS LOCALLY. THE MAILING OF THE MATERIALS IS PARTICULARLY HEAVY IN THE EARLY AUTUMN AS BVA REGIONAL GROUPS PREPARE FOR WHITE CANE SAFETY AWARENESS DAY AND VETERANS DAY ACTIVITIES. BLINDED VETERANS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES ARE FREQUENTLY INVOLVED IN PRESENTATIONS TO SCHOOLS, LOCAL CHAPTERS OF OTHER VSOS LOCATED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND LOCAL GROUPS SUCH AS LIONS AND ROTARY CLUBS. AT THE ANNUAL CONVENTION, BVA PRESENTS AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES TO HONOR INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS. THE MAJOR GENERAL MELVIN J. MAAS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IS PRESENTED TO A VETERAN WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED BLINDNESS THAT PROVES HIMSELF/HERSELF OUTSTANDING IN EMPLOYMENT PERFORMANCE AND ADJUSTMENT TO DAILY LIVING. THE DAVID L. SCHNAIR AWARD IS PRESENTED TO A VOLUNTEER FOR HIS/HER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE BVA VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. THE IRVING DIENER AWARD IS PRESENTED TO THE BVA MEMBER WHO HAS MADE AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF HIS/HER REGIONAL GROUP. A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION IS TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, AND EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE PROVIDED OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO BLINDED VETERANS AND/OR TO BVA AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. IN FY 2014, AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN SPOKANE, WA, THE MAAS AND SCHNAIR AWARDS WERE REWARDED AND THREE CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION WERE PRESENTED TO DESERVING INDIVIDUALS.
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C	C) ADVOCACY THE ASSOCIATION'S CONGRESSIONAL CHARTER DESIGNATES BVA AS THE ORGANIZATIONAL ADVOCATE FOR ALL BLINDED VETERANS BEFORE THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. THE BVA NATIONAL PRESIDENT, BOARD MEMBERS, AND NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS STAFF MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO PRESENT TESTIMONY BEFORE BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES ON VETERANS AFFAIRS IN ORDER TO SHARE INFORMATION AND CONCERNS RELATED TO SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY VA TO VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLINDED VETERANS. THEY ALSO MEET PERIODICALLY WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, THEIR KEY STAFF, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD), THE WHITE HOUSE, AND VA OFFICIALS TO INFORM AND EDUCATE THEM REGARDING THE UNIQUE AND SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE BLINDED AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED VETERANS IN AMERICA. BVA'S EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS SEEK TO ENHANCE THE SPECIALIZED REHABILITATION PROGRAMS THAT ARE DESIGNED BY VA. THE GOALS ARE TO ASSIST BLINDED VETERANS IN THE ACCEPTANCE OF AND ADJUSTMENT TO THE LOSS OF VISION AND TO HELP THEM ACQUIRE THE ADAPTIVE SKILLS NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATED INTO THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. ACTIVE EFFORTS ARE CONTINUALLY MADE TO EDUCATE FEDERAL AGENCIES AND LEGISLATORS. SUCH EFFORTS ARE THE IMPORTANT MEANS BY WHICH BLINDED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS EVENTUALLY BECOME EQUIPPED WITH THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO ACCESS THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND BENEFITS THEY HAVE EARNED. BVA CONTINUED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE THIS PAST YEAR, PRESENTING BLINDED VETERANS' PRIORITY ISSUES BEFORE CONGRESS AND CONGRESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS IN A VARIETY OF MEETINGS AND HEARINGS. ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES ALSO MET FREQUENTLY WITH OTHER VETERAN'S SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, DISABILITY ADVOCACY ASSOCIATIONS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VA AND DOD. BVA'S NATIONAL PRESIDENT PRESENTED HIS ANNUAL TESTIMONY IN FEBRUARY BEFORE THE JOINT HOUSE AND SENATE VA COMMITTEES. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES WERE SENT BY EMAIL TO THE BVA BOARD, STAFF, MEMBERS AND REGIONAL GROUPS. NUMEROUS MEETINGS WITH VARIOUS CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES AND A VARIETY OF COMMITTEES WERE ATTENDED IN AN EFFORT TO ACTIVELY MONITOR AND SUPPORT THE WIDE VARIETY OF LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS THAT IMPACTS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BVA, IN CONCERT WITH OTHER MAJOR VSOS, PROVIDED THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO ENSURE THAT FY 2014-FY 2015 ADVANCED APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE VHA BUDGET WERE INCREASED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF VETERANS' HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS. CONTINUED EFFORTS WERE DEVOTED THIS PAST YEAR TO DOD'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VISION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (VCE) AND DEFENSE VETERANS EYE INJURY VISION REGISTRY (DVEIVR). AS A RESULT, VCE HAS INCREASED DOD STAFFING TO TEN AND VHA IS PLANNING INCREASED STAFFING (INTERVIEWS ARE IN PROGRESS). BVA CONTINUES TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR OIF AND OEF VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY VISUAL SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION TO ENSURE THAT SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND VISION RESEARCH ARE FUNDED. BVA'S EFFORTS WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN TRYING TO SECURE ADDITIONAL VA CO-OPERATIONAL FUNDING FOR FY 2014- 2015 IN THE VA BUDGET FOR VCE. EFFORTS TO FULLY IMPLEMENT DVEIVR CONTINUE WITH DOD INSERTING 17,375 SERVICE MEMBERS' RECORDS INTO THE SYSTEM. VA, HOWEVER, HAS LAGGED FAR BEHIND IN PROVIDING EXTRACTORS ACCESS TO CLINICAL EYE RECORDS IN THE VA VIST DATABASE. WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR EYE AND VISION RESEARCH (NAEVR), BVA ATTENDED MEETINGS WITH KEY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND KEY BUDGET STAFF WITH THE AIM OF INCREASING THE CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR VISION. BVA CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR ALTERNATIVE DEFENSE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI) VISION RESEARCH PROGRAMS, SECURING $10 MILLION IN FY 2014 FUNDING FOR THE VISION TRAUMA RESEARCH PROGRAM (VTRP) FUNDING, AND $10 MILLION FOR FY 2015 DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR VTRP. BVA CONTINUES TO MONITOR THE WAITING TIMES, LENGTH OF STAYS, AND STAFFING FOR THE 13 EXISTING VABLIND CENTERS TO ENSURE THAT VETERANS RECEIVE THE REHABILITATION THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM. BVA HAS ALSO BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SPECIAL WORK GROUPS ESTABLISHED BY VA PROSTHETICS & SENSORY AIDS SERVICE (PSAS) TO DEVELOP PRESCRIPTION RECOMMENDATIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR PROSTHETIC APPLIANCES FOR BLINDED VETERANS. BVA IS ON THE VA WORK GROUP CHARGED WITH DEVELOPING VARIOUS SPECIFICATIONS AND THE ISSUANCE OF HANDBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMPUTERS AND ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES FOR BLINDED AND LOW-VISION VETERANS. BVA WORKED TO HAVE THE BENEFICIARY TRAVEL SECTION OF THE U.S CODE CHANGED TO INCLUDE TRAVEL BENEFITS TO ONE OF THE 13 REGIONAL BLIND REHABILITATION CENTERS FOR INPATIENT ADMISSION FOR BLINDED VETERANS CURRENTLY NOT ELIGIBLE. THESE EFFORTS CONTINUE WITH LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE VA COMMITTEES, RESPECTIVELY. BVA CONTINUED FREQUENT MEETINGS WITH VA VETERANS TRAVEL PROGRAM OFFICIALS. BVA CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR VA TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 508 OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT BY MAKING ALL ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE VA SYSTEMS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO BLINDED VETERANS AND FURTHER ELIMINATING PROBLEMS OF ACCESS. THE VA ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPROPRIATED $11 MILLION IN FUNDING AND 17 FULL TIME STAFF WERE HIRED IN FY 2014. BVA CONTINUED ITS MANY VISITS WITH BLINDED OIF AND OEF SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AT THE NEW WALTER REED NATIONAL MILITARY MEDICAL CENTER. BVA CONTINUED TO LOCATE SERVICE MEMBERS AND RAISE FUNDS NEEDED FOR ELIGIBLE BLINDED VETERANS TO JOIN BVA'S OPERATION PEER SUPPORT AND PROJECT GEMINI INITIATIVES. BVA JOINED WITH OTHER VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN A NUMBER OF PARTNERSHIPS. BVA SUBMITS PERTINENT INFORMATION ON VA BLIND REHABILITATION SERVICES, OIF AND OEF-RELATED EYE INJURIES, AND TBI VISION SYSTEM IMPAIRMENTS, THUS RAISING AWARENESS AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THESE INJURIES AND THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THEM. BVA ALSO PARTICIPATES WITH OTHER BLINDNESS ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS IN MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE WORKING GROUP (LWG) TO ASSURE THAT ALL BLINDED INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE THE SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS THEY DESERVE. BVA CONTINUES TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AT ALL LEVELS REGARDING THE NEEDS OF BLINDED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND SUBSEQUENT VISUAL DYSFUNCTION. THIS OCCURS BY PROVIDING THE NEWS MEDIA WITH INFORMATION ON THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THESE VISION INJURIES. SUCH EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN NEWSPAPER, RADIO, RESEARCH ARTICLES IN VARIOUS MEDIA OUTLETS, MAKING BVA WELL KNOWN FOR ADVOCACY IN THIS AREA.
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C	D) MEMBERSHIP BVA IS A MEMBERSHIP-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION. MEMBERSHIP IN BVA CONSTITUTES MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS IN A LOCAL REGIONAL GROUP. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO BE A MEMBER TO BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICES BVA PROVIDES. IN FACT, BVA OFFERS THE CHOICE OF THE DIGITAL OR PRINT VERSION OF THE QUARTERLY BVA BULLETIN TO ANY BLINDED VETERAN REGARDLESS OF MEMBERSHIP STATUS. THE BVA BULLETIN IS A VALUABLE RESOURCE THAT BLINDED VETERANS FIND USEFUL IN ORDER TO KEEP ABREAST OF RELEVANT INFORMATION. BVA MEMBERSHIP ALSO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET NEW PEOPLE FACING SIMILAR CHALLENGES, TO ESTABLISH FRIENDSHIPS, AND TO GAIN A VOICE AT THE ANNUAL CONVENTIONS. WITHOUT MEMBERSHIP, THE AFOREMENTIONED PROGRAMS WOULD NOT EXIST SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BY MEMBERS AND DEVELOPED WITH THEIR NEEDS IN MIND. A BLINDED VETERAN CAN JOIN AS EITHER AN ANNUAL OR A LIFE MEMBER. BVA'S MEMBERSHIP TOTAL HAS GROWN STEADILY OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES. IN FY 2014, THERE WERE 455 NEW MEMBERS. FROM 1992 THROUGH 2014, THE ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP INCREASED FROM 7,252 TO 11,111. THIS FIGURE REPRESENTS A LARGE NUMBER OF RENEWALS OF LAPSED MEMBERSHIPS AS WELL AS NEW MEMBERS THAT HAD NEVER JOINED BEFORE. ALL LIFE MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DEPOSITED INTO A LIFE MEMBERSHIP FUND, WHICH IS MANAGED BY A LIFE MEMBERSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPOINTED BY THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT. THE DUES ARE INVESTED AND THE ANNUAL EARNINGS (INTEREST AND DIVIDENDS) ARE APPORTIONED TO THE REGIONAL GROUP BASED ON THE NUMBER OF LIFE MEMBERS IN EACH GROUP. BVA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DOES NOT BENEFIT FINANCIALLY AT ALL FROM THE LIFE MEMBERSHIP DUES BUT ONLY MANAGES, OR ADMINISTERS, THE FUND WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND AN EXTERNAL PORTFOLIO MANAGER. IT IS A BOARD-DESIGNATED FUND. E) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM BVA'S KATHERN F. GRUBER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM COMPLETED ITS 31ST YEAR. THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OPEN TO A DEPENDENT CHILD, GRANDCHILD, OR SPOUSE OF A BLINDED VETERAN OR AN ACTIVE-DUTY BLINDED SERVICE MEMBER OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES. THE BLINDNESS MAY BE EITHER SERVICE-CONNECTED OR NONSERVICE-CONNECTED. FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2013-14, THERE WERE SIX SCHOLARSHIPS OF $2,000 EACH. THE THOMAS H. MILLER SCHOLARSHIP HAS COMPLETED ITS 3RD YEAR, ANNUALLY AWARDING ONE SCHOLARSHIP OF $1,000. THE GUIDELINES ARE THE SAME AS THOSE ESTABLISHED FOR THE KATHERN F. GRUBER SCHOLARSHIP BUT WITH ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION TOWARDS MUSIC AND FINE ARTS STUDENTS WHEN POSSIBLE AND APPLICABLE.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6	THE MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ASSEMBLED AT THE ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION HAVE VOTING RIGHTS AND ARE THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE ASSOCIATION.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A	THE MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ASSEMBLED AT THE ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION ELECT THE NATIONAL OFFICERS OF THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE DISTRICT DIRECTORS ARE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRICT.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B	THE MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ASSEMBLED AT THE ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION APPROVE ISSUES AND AMENDMENTS THAT ARISE REGARDING LAWS, BYLAWS, REGULATIONS, OR POLICIES ADOPTED BY SAID MEMBERSHIP.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11	A DRAFT OF THE FORM 990 IS SENT TO THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BY THE PREPARER. IT IS EMAILED TO THE FINANCIAL EXPERT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO ALONG WITH THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER REVIEW THE RETURN TOGETHER AND DISCUSS ANY ISSUES OF CONCERN. THEY MAY INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY SPEAK WITH THE PREPARER TO DISCUSS THEIR CONCERNS OR REVIEW THE FORM IN DETAIL. AFTER ANY CHANGES ARE MADE, A COPY IS SENT TO THE FULL BOARD PRIOR TO FILING. ANY COMMENTS THEY HAVE ARE REVIEWED AND DISCUSSED WITH THE PREPARER. WHEN COMPLETED, THE FORM 990 IS SIGNED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FILED WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C	BVA'S WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY QUESTIONNAIRE IS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, AND APPROPRIATE OUTSIDE PARTIES BY THE CFO PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL CONVENTION. THE CFO ENSURES THAT ALL QUESTIONNAIRES ARE COMPLETED, REVIEWS THEM, AND DISCLOSES ANY CONFLICTS AT THE PRE-CONVENTION BOARD MEETING. BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE CONFLICTS DO NOT VOTE ON ANY ISSUES PERTAINING TO THAT CONFLICT.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15	THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM FOR ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE ASSOCIATION INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OTHER OFFICERS, AND KEY EMPLOYEES. THEY MEET ANNUALLY, AND AS NEEDED, TO REVIEW, DETERMINE, AND APPROVE ANY CHANGES TO BE MADE TO THE COMPENSATION PROGRAM. DURING THE ANNUAL MEETING THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE COMPARES THE SALARIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OTHER OFFICERS, AND KEY EMPLOYEES AGAINST EITHER SALARY SURVEYS PREPARED BY INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTIES, OR COMPARABILITY DATA FROM PEER ORGANIZATIONS TO DETERMINE HOW THEY COMPARE AGAINST THE COMPETITIVE MARKET. THIS COMPARISON HAS HISTORICALLY SHOWN TRENDS OF COMPARABILITY IN SOME POSITIONS AND BELOW PEERS IN OTHERS. THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS RECOMMENDATIONS AND INPUT FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DURING DELIBERATIONS REGARDING OTHER OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES. USUALLY, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE GOES INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WHEN DISCUSSING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION WITHOUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRESENT. DURING THIS TIME THEY EVALUATE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PERFORMANCE AND DETERMINE COMPENSATION. THESE DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS ARE DOCUMENTED. THE PRESIDENT INFORMS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ANY CHANGES AFTER THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19	THE BYLAWS AND CONGRESSIONAL CHARTER OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE AVAILABLE ON BVA'S WEBSITE, ALONG WITH THE FORM 990. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G	BUILDING MAINTANANCE: MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 30,167. TOTAL EXPENSES 30,167. BULLETIN: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 76,310. TOTAL EXPENSES 76,310. PRINTING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 8,233. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 11,368. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 96,509. TOTAL EXPENSES 116,110. PROFESSIONAL FEES: MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 13,648. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 23,000. TOTAL EXPENSES 36,648. PUBLIC RELATIONS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 21,450. TOTAL EXPENSES 21,450. REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE: MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 27,312. TOTAL EXPENSES 27,312. WEB DESIGN: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 12,790. TOTAL EXPENSES 12,790. DIRECT MAIL DATA PROCESSING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 39,676. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 2,125. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 38,813. TOTAL EXPENSES 80,614. DIRECT MAIL DONOR PROCESSING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 38,555. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 2,065. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 37,716. TOTAL EXPENSES 78,336. DIRECT MAIL LIST RENTAL: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 47,200. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 2,528. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 46,173. TOTAL EXPENSES 95,901. DIRECT MAIL PACKAGE AND SHIPPING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 494,683. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 26,492. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 483,919. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,005,094. DIRECT MAIL PRODUCTION COST: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 11,777. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 631. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 11,521. TOTAL EXPENSES 23,929.
FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C	THE REVIEW PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Cat. No. 51056K

Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

1	Briefly describe the organization’s mission or most significant activities: TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF BLINDED VETERANS - SEE PART III AND SCHEDULE O
2	Check this box
3	Number of voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1a) ........	3	11
4	Number of independent voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1b) .....	4	11
5	Total number of individuals employed in calendar year 2013 (Part V, line 2a) ......	5	38
6	Total number of volunteers (estimate if necessary) .............	6	277
7a	Total unrelated business revenue from Part VIII, column (C), line 12 ........	7a	0
b	Net unrelated business taxable income from Form 990-T, line 34 .........	7b	0

		Prior Year	Current Year
8	Contributions and grants (Part VIII, line 1h) .........	3,292,689	5,322,585
9	Program service revenue (Part VIII, line 2g) .........	0	0
10	Investment income (Part VIII, column (A), lines 3, 4, and 7d ) ....	362,621	688,004
11	Other revenue (Part VIII, column (A), lines 5, 6d, 8c, 9c, 10c, and 11e)	269,744	256,048
12	Total revenue—add lines 8 through 11 (must equal Part VIII, column (A), line 12)...................	3,925,054	6,266,637
13	Grants and similar amounts paid (Part IX, column (A), lines 1–3 )...	16,080	13,400
14	Benefits paid to or for members (Part IX, column (A), line 4).....	0	0
15	Salaries, other compensation, employee benefits (Part IX, column (A), lines 5–10)	1,484,024	1,467,808
16a	Professional fundraising fees (Part IX, column (A), line 11e).....	24,000	0
b	Total fundraising expenses (Part IX, column (D), line 25) 1,411,186
17	Other expenses (Part IX, column (A), lines 11a–11d, 11f–24e)....	3,012,556	3,005,297
18	Total expenses. Add lines 13–17 (must equal Part IX, column (A), line 25)	4,536,660	4,486,505
19	Revenue less expenses. Subtract line 18 from line 12.......	-611,606	1,780,132
		Beginning of Current Year	End of Year
20	Total assets (Part X, line 16).............	9,646,310	11,520,643
21	Total liabilities (Part X, line 26).............	266,991	308,614
22	Net assets or fund balances. Subtract line 21 from line 20.....	9,379,319	11,212,029

Sign Here

	Signature of officer	Date

	Type or print name and title


4a	(Code: ) (Expenses $ 1,139,574 including grants of $ ) (Revenue $ )
	FIELD SERVICE AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMSSEE SCHEDULE O

4b	(Code: ) (Expenses $ 1,313,433 including grants of $ 400 ) (Revenue $ )
	PUBLIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONSEE SCHEDULE O

4c	(Code: ) (Expenses $ 175,477 including grants of $ ) (Revenue $ )
	ADVOCACYSEE SCHEDULE O

	(Code: ) (Expenses $ 296,234 including grants of $ 13,000 ) (Revenue $ )
	MEMBERSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

4d	Other program services (Describe in Schedule O.)
	(Expenses $ 296,234 including grants of $ 13,000 ) (Revenue $ )
4e	Total program service expenses2,924,718

1b	Sub-Total................
c	Total from continuation sheets to Part VII, Section A....
d	Total (add lines 1b and 1c)............	405,745	0	17,625

				(A) Total revenue	(B) Related or exempt function revenue	(C) Unrelated business revenue	(D) Revenue excluded from tax under sections 512-514
1a	Federated campaigns..1a		13,612
b	Membership dues....1b		26,479
c	Fundraising events....1c
d	Related organizations...1d
e	Government grants (contributions)1e

f	All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above1f		5,282,494

g	Noncash contributions included in lines 1a-1f:$		266
h	Total. Add lines 1a-1f.......			5,322,585
			Business Code
2a
b
c
d
e
f	All other program service revenue .
g	Total. Add lines 2a–2f........
3	Investment income (including dividends, interest, and other similar amounts).......			205,714			205,714
4	Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds..
5	Royalties...........
		(i) Real	(ii) Personal
6a	Gross rents
b	Less: rental expenses
c	Rental income or (loss)
d	Net rental income or (loss).......
		(i) Securities	(ii) Other
7a	Gross amount from sales of assets other than inventory	3,440,926
b	Less: cost or other basis and sales expenses	2,949,511	9,125
c	Gain or (loss)	491,415	-9,125
d	Net gain or (loss)..........			482,290			482,290
8a	Gross income from fundraising events (not including $ of contributions reported on line 1c). See Part IV, line 18 ..
	a		9,147
b	Less: direct expenses ...b		5,338
c	Net income or (loss) from fundraising events..			3,809			3,809
9a	Gross income from gaming activities. See Part IV, line 19 ...
	a
b	Less: direct expenses ...b
c	Net income or (loss) from gaming activities...
10a	Gross sales of inventory, less returns and allowances .
	a
b	Less: cost of goods sold ..b
c	Net income or (loss) from sales of inventory..
Miscellaneous Revenue			Business Code
11a	MAILING LIST RENTAL TO OTHER 501(		900099	206,829			206,829
b	CONVENTION & RELATED		900099	45,410			45,410
c
d	All other revenue ....
e	Total. Add lines 11a–11d ......			252,239
12	Total revenue. See Instructions......			6,266,637	0	0	944,052


				(A) Beginning of year		(B) End of year
1	Cash–non-interest-bearing .............			776,193	1	406,496
2	Savings and temporary cash investments .........			101,350	2	26,508
3	Pledges and grants receivable, net ...........			680,876	3	2,667,772
4	Accounts receivable, net .............			3,913	4	32,493
5	Loans and other receivables from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and highest compensated employees. Complete Part II of Schedule L ..................
					5
6	Loans and other receivables from other disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)), persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B), and contributing employers and sponsoring organizations of section 501(c)(9) voluntary employees' beneficiary organizations (see instructions) Complete Part II of Schedule L
					6
7	Notes and loans receivable, net .............				7
8	Inventories for sale or use ..............				8
9	Prepaid expenses and deferred charges ..........			41,998	9	13,449
10a	Land, buildings, and equipment: cost or other basis. Complete Part VI of Schedule D	10a	2,913,133
b	Less: accumulated depreciation .....	10b	1,387,377	1,554,408	10c	1,525,756
11	Investments—publicly traded securities ..........			6,487,572	11	6,848,169
12	Investments—other securities. See Part IV, line 11 .....				12
13	Investments—program-related. See Part IV, line 11 .....				13
14	Intangible assets ...............				14
15	Other assets. See Part IV, line 11 ...........				15
16	Total assets. Add lines 1 through 15 (must equal line 34)......			9,646,310	16	11,520,643
17	Accounts payable and accrued expenses .........			266,991	17	308,614
18	Grants payable .................				18
19	Deferred revenue ................				19
20	Tax-exempt bond liabilities .............				20
21	Escrow or custodial account liability. Complete Part IV of Schedule D..				21
22	Loans and other payables to current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, highest compensated employees, and disqualified
	persons. Complete Part II of Schedule L..........				22
23	Secured mortgages and notes payable to unrelated third parties ..				23
24	Unsecured notes and loans payable to unrelated third parties ....				24
25	Other liabilities (including federal income tax, payables to related third parties, and other liabilities not included on lines 17-24). Complete Part X of Schedule D....................				25
26	Total liabilities. Add lines 17 through 25.........			266,991	26	308,614
	Organizations that follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958), check here and complete lines 27 through 29, and lines 33 and 34.
27	Unrestricted net assets ..............			9,149,755	27	10,962,857
28	Temporarily restricted net assets ...........			229,564	28	249,172
29	Permanently restricted net assets ...........				29
	Organizations that do not follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958), check here and complete lines 30 through 34.
30	Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds ........				30
31	Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund .....				31
32	Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds				32
33	Total net assets or fund balances ...........			9,379,319	33	11,212,029
34	Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances ........			9,646,310	34	11,520,643