Charity Report

  • Issued: August 2020
  • Expires: August 2021

Vail Veterans Foundation, Inc. DBA Vail Veterans Program

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

970-476-4906

12 Vail Road, Suite 200
Vail, CO 81657

http://www.vailveteransprogram.org/
Accredited Charity

970-476-4906

12 Vail Road, Suite 200
Vail, CO 81657

http://www.vailveteransprogram.org/
Accredited Charity

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight

    Oversight of Operations and Staff: Standard 1

    Description
    Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fundraising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Board Size

    Number of Board Members: Standard 2

    Description
    Soliciting organizations shall have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Board Meetings

    Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings: Standard 3

    Description
    An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Board Compensation

    Compensated Board Members: Standard 4

    Description
    Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Conflict of Interest

    Conflict of Interest: Standard 5

    Description
    No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm's length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.

    The organization meets this standard.

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy

    Board Policy on Effectiveness: Standard 6

    Description
    Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Effectiveness Report

    Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness: Standard 7

    Description
    Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

    The organization meets this standard.

Finances

  1. Program Expenses

    Program Service Expense Ratio: Standard 8

    Description
    Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Fundraising Expenses

    Fundraising Expense Ratio: Standard 9

    Description
    Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fundraising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fundraising efforts.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Accumulating Funds

    Ending Net Assets: Standard 10

    Description
    Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Audit Report

    Financial Statements: Standard 11

    Description
    Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown

    Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses: Standard 12

    Description
    Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Accurate Expense Reporting

    Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements: Standard 13

    Description
    Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

  7. Budget Plan

    Budget: Standard 14

    Description
    Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fundraising, and administration.

    The organization meets this standard.

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials

    Misleading Appeals: Standard 15

    Description
    Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Annual Report

    Annual Report: Standard 16

    Description
    Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Website Disclosures

    Web Site Disclosures: Standard 17

    Description
    Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Donor Privacy

    Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy: Standard 18

    Description
    Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures

    Cause Related Marketing: Standard 19

    Description
    Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Complaints

    Complaints: Standard 20

    Description
    Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better Business Bureaus about fundraising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.

    The organization meets this standard.

Conclusion

Vail Veterans Foundation, Inc. DBA Vail Veterans Program meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

  • Year, State Incorporated

    2006, CO

  • Stated Purpose

    Provide military injured and their families with innovative and transformational programs that build confidence and improve lives.


Programs

Since 2004, Vail Veterans Program (VVP) has been offering life-changing programs for men and women defending our country. VVP transforms the lives of wounded Veterans and their families from across the nation by providing innovative and individualized outdoor therapeutic rehabilitative programs that build confidence and improve lives. VVP offers year-round individualized therapeutic, rehabilitative, and wellness programs to wounded Veterans and their families from across the nation. VVP strives to achieve program outcomes that include healthy recovery, personal growth, and the building of lifelong communities of mutual support. Specifically, VVP aims to increase confidence, independence, wellness practices, self-care, inter-family communication, support networks, and physical, mental, and emotional empowerment in Veterans and military families. Participants of VVP gain critical tools for successfully confronting the physical and emotional challenges associated with transitioning to life after a severe military service injury and for discovering a “new normal.” Each day, 22 Veterans commit suicide. Our goal is to provide programs that equip wounded Veterans with healthy coping mechanisms and a strong peer and familial support network, contributing to a decrease in this shocking and unacceptable number.VVP achieves its mission by hosting veterans with physical and/or invisible injuries (i.e. PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury “TBI”) and their families in Vail, CO, six times annually for adaptive therapeutic recreation and wellness programs. VVP’s signature programs are complemented by a variety of Individual Family Support Programs offered to VVP alumni families year-round.Winter Family Program: Veterans participate in private, full-day adaptive snow sports lessons with certified Professional Ski & Snowboard Instructors of America. Family members enjoy child and adult group lessons and access to childcare services. Participants engage in group meals and evening activities. This four-day, five-night program is hosted in Vail, CO for up to 25 wounded Veterans and their families.Winter Mountain Adventure: Wounded Veterans benefit from four full days of private adaptive snow sports lessons with certified Professional Ski & Snowboard Instructors of America. Family members reconnect by learning new skills together and creating lifelong memories through group meals and evening activities. This four-day, five-night program is hosted in Vail, CO for up to 35 wounded Veterans and Military Caregivers.Family Support Program - Black Mountain Ranch: Through a partnership with Black Mountain Colorado Dude Ranch in McCoy, CO, VVP hosts three alumni families for a week of western fun and connecting in a safe and comfortable environment. This all-inclusive family trip is customized to each individual family and includes a stay in a spacious cabin. Activities offered at the ranch range from the adventurous to the connective and include ?y ?shing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, backcountry camping, and much more. From cattle roping to singing songs around a camp?re, families create lifelong memories.Family Support Program - Red Box Legacy (Hawaii): This weeklong, all-inclusive family trip is customized to a VVP alumni family in need. Activities offered range from the adventurous to the educational. From surf lessons and zip-lining to dolphin encounters and a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial, families reconnect and create lifelong memories.Summer Program: Wounded Veterans and their families reconnect as they take part in adaptive adventures including whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and fly-fishing. A wellness day, with yoga, meditation, and acupuncture, provides participants with coping mechanisms that long outlast the duration of the program. Participants benefit from socialization with peers experiencing similar challenges. This four-day, five-night program is hosted in Vail, CO for up to 25 wounded Veterans and their families.Golf in the Rockies: Up to 14 wounded Veterans play five days of championship golf courses and attend golf clinics with PGA professionals in the Vail Valley, promoting connection with other Veterans over a shared passion. Group meals and evening activities encourage the development of enduring friendships that provide support into the future.Resilience Training: The Resilience Training is a follow-up to the Veterans Path to Success program, led by professional trainers from the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute. This course allows wounded Veterans to continue on their healing journey by learning unique methods of stress management, including reframing the discomfort of stress to leverage personal growth, performance, and wellness. By confronting stress head-on, participants are prepared to positively address the challenges associated with transitioning out of the military after a service-injury and adjusting to their “new normal.” This three-day, three-night program is hosted in Vail, CO for up to 25 wounded Veterans.Veterans Path to Success: This two and a half day program is hosted at the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute (HPI) in Orlando, FL for up to 20 wounded Veterans and focuses on performance psychology, exercise physiology, and nutrition. Participants learn how to expand their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy in order to sustain increased engagement, performance, and resilience. This training program assists wounded veterans in acknowledging their “old story,” while helping them to identify their “new story” for future success outside of the military.Military Caregiver Reunion: This is a follow-up program to the Military Caregiver Retreat, focused on resilience. Up to 25 alumni of the Military Caregiver Retreat will learn about health and wellness in a safe and comfortable environment, while connecting with others confronting similar challenges and learning sustainable coping mechanisms. Activities include resilience training with Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute professional trainers, yoga, meditation, empowerment training, outdoor adventures, and group meals.Virtual Programming: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an expressed interest from VVP alumni for continued support after program culmination, VVP has begun working closely with partner professionals in health and wellness to offer Virtual Programming for our participants from across the nation, at no cost. Online trainings promote sustained program outcomes after participants have departed Vail, CO and returned to their routines at home. Virtual content is presented three times each week and focuses on topics requested in post-program surveys completed by our participants. Specifically, virtual program content include health and wellness, nutrition, mental health, and financial services, as well as fitness, nutrition, and meditation.OUR MISSION CONTINUES: In light of COVID-19,Vail Veterans Program is excited to launch a new interim program called, OUR MISSION CONTINUES. This offering will provide novel ways to support veterans, caregivers, families and patients of our partner military hospitals in their communities. The vision of OUR MISSION CONTINUES is to offer direct grant awards in the following categories:· Emergency Financial Assistance· Mental Health Support· Health & Wellness· Military Caregiver Support· Educational Opportunities· Pay it Forward· Family Experiences

For the year ended December 31, 2018, Vail Veterans Foundation, Inc. DBA Vail Veterans Program program expenses were:

Programs $1,733,001
Program Expenses $1,733,001

Governance & Staff

  • CEO

    Ms. Cheryl Jensen, President/Founder

  • Compensation*

    ¤80,333.00

  • Board Chair

    Dr. Jeffrey Tomlin, Neurosurgeon

  • Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

    Naval Medical Center San Diego

  • Board Size

    8

  • Paid Staff Size

    4

Governance

* Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts and other allowances.

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fundraising events, Grant proposals, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.).

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 4.45%

Tax Status

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.


Financial

The following information is based on Vail Veterans Foundation, Inc. DBA Vail Veterans Program's Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018

Source of Funds
In-Kind Contributions $2,871,005
Contributions and Grants $1,295,164
Gain on Sale of Donated Condo Unit $336,690
Investment Income $-118,962
Total Income $4,383,897

Breakdown of Expenses

Total Income $4,383,897
Total Expenses: $2,146,899
Program Expenses $1,733,001
Fundraising Expenses $200,160
Administrative Expenses $213,738
Other Expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $2,236,998
Beginning Net Assets $2,087,788
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $4,324,786
Total Liabilities $54,759
Total Assets $4,379,545

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