Help Support Veterans and Their Families
Coping With Sight Loss
When you donate to BVA, you help support the following programs for blind and low vision veterans:
- BVA’s TeamBVA initiative serving as the Association’s premier outreach program for blind and low vision veterans adjusting to sight loss via peer-inspired adaptive recreation activities, integrated community support, and whole health rehabilitation—empowering dignity, independence, and self-worth.
- BVA’s Ambassadors serving as peer-inspired mentors advocating on behalf of blind and low vision veterans, their families, and caregivers—ensuring that they receive their earned benefits and services.
- BVA’s VetTech program analyzing, educating, and advocating for assistive, adaptive, and accessible technologies that enhance the lives of blind and low-vision veterans.
- BVA’s Scholarship program providing family members of blind and low vision veterans annual scholarships to defray expenses for tuition, books, and fees.
- BVA’s Care Review program evaluating the full continuum of care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers thus ensuring safe, productive, and accessible access to care for blind and low-vision veterans.
- BVA’s Claims Assistance program assists blind and low vision veterans with navigating and filing their Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims and helps ensure that every blind and low vision veteran receives all of the benefits they deserve.
- BVA’s Government Relations team ensures that blind and low vision veterans have their voices represented and heard before Congress and other government entities in order to better the life of not only blind and low vision veterans, but all veterans nationwide.
Make a One-Time Donation
Your generosity will help further our service as ambassadors and mentors for all veterans and their families who, each day, are confronting the challenges of sight loss.
Become a BVA Visionary (Monthly Giving)
BVA Visionaries are a special team of loyal and dedicated supporters who make recurring monthly donations to help the organization carry out its mission in support of America’s blinded and low vision military veterans. Your thoughtfulness in lending this support makes possible the committed and ongoing services our veterans provide to one another free of charge as they remain true to the recently adopted motto “One Vision, One Team, One Fight.”
| Your Monthly Gift of: | Allows a Blind Veteran to receive free: |
|---|---|
|
$5 / month = $60 / year |
Local Transportation Assistance |
|
$10 / month = $120 / year |
Claims Assistance |
|
$15 / month = $180 / year |
Assistive Technology Training |
|
$25 / month = $300 / year |
Ambassador Volunteer Opportunities |
|
$50 / month = $600 / year |
Adaptive Sports Opportunities |
|
$100 / month = $1,200 / year |
Annual Convention Attendance |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BVA VISIONARIES
Your first donation will be processed when we receive your instructions; subsequent monthly gifts will be processed on the same date every month, or the next business day if the date falls on a holiday or weekend. You can stop your recurring monthly donations at any time simply by letting BVA know your wishes. For questions or help setting up your recurring monthly gift, please email bva@bva.org or call 800-669-7079 and select prompt 4.
Memorial and Tribute Gifts
Honor a loved one’s legacy by making a gift in their memory. You’ll support our nation’s blind and low vision veterans and give them hope for a brighter future.
As an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers, please share a donation here. If you would like to send a check instead, please make the check payable to Blinded Veterans Association and send to PO BOX 90770, Washington, DC 20090. In the memo line, you may note who the donation is in memory of so that we may remember them.
Planned Giving
Plan a gift to make a long-term impact on the life of a blind or low vision veteran.
The Blinded Veterans Association offers our supporters a variety of ways to consider planning their gifts. By choosing the right gift, you can benefit BVA and fulfill your own long-term financial goals. When you plan your gifts, you are eligible to join our Legacy Circle. Please notify us of your decision to plan a gift and let us know if you would like your name to be listed by filling out the form here:
Bequests
Through a simple provision in your will, you may make a gift to the Blinded Veterans Association. This is the easiest and most common type of planned gift. Making a bequest is an excellent choice if you want to maintain control of your assets during your lifetime and support BVA.
We can work with you and your advisors to craft specific bequest language that accurately reflects your gift intentions.
Sample Language
I give, devise and bequeath to the Blinded Veterans Association, chartered by the U.S. Congress and located in Washington, D.C. the sum of _____________ dollars or ____% of the residue of my estate. (Or otherwise describe the gift).
If you’d like to speak with a member of our staff, please contact us at 800-669-7079 ext. 304 or select prompt 4. We’re also happy to work with your attorney or financial planner.
Please send correspondence to our National Headquarters:
Blinded Veterans Association
ATTN: Meredith Buono-DaGrossa
PO Box 90770
Washington, DC 20090
Phone: (800) 669-7079
Email: bva@bva.org
Tax ID Number: 53-0214281
Charitable Remainder Trust
A Charitable Remainder Trust (Charitable Remainder Unitrust) may serve as a potential inflation fighter
since the trust is revalued annually and may provide increased income in later years.
This technique offers the following benefits:
- Annual income for life
- Immediate charitable contribution deduction
- Removal of asset from estate
- Ability to avoid capital gains tax and reduce tax liability
- Ability to select the Trustee and offer investment management guidelines
- Potential inflation fighter since trust growth beyond payout can provide increased income in later years
- Similar to a charitable gift annuity, the charitable deduction is dependent upon the age of the beneficiary. If you’d like to speak with a member of our staff, please contact us by phone at (800) 669-7079 or email bva@bva.org. We are happy to work with your attorney or financial planner.
Revocable Living Trust
A living trust, also known as a revocable living trust or a family trust, is a legal document that holds title or ownership to your real property and assets. When you create a revocable living trust, you transfer ownership of your assets to the trust. Transferring assets is typically called “funding.” When you transfer title you DO NOT relinquish any control. You can still buy, sell, borrow, or transfer.
To many, the living trust looks a lot like a will. It includes the details and instructions for how you want
your estate to be handled at your death. Unlike a will, a properly funded trust:
- Does not go through probate.
- Prevents the courts from controlling your assets at incapacity.
- Allows you to name beneficiaries including Blinded Veterans Association.
- If you’d like to speak with a member of our staff, please contact us at, please contact us by phone at (800) 669-7079 or email bva@bva.org. We are happy to work with your attorney or financial planner.
Assets to Give
Cash
Maximize your charitable deduction and deliver immediate benefits to the Blinded Veterans Association.
Stock and Other Appreciated Securities
The IRS allows you one of its most significant tax breaks for gifts of appreciated securities.
Retirement Plans
The balance of your retirement plan may be worth more when donated. If you own a life insurance plan, you can name the Blinded Veterans Association as the beneficiary of the policy.
Life Insurance
If you own a life insurance policy and you no longer need to protect your loved ones or business interests, you can name the Blinded Veterans Association as the beneficiary of the policy.
A second option is transferring ownership of the policy to the Blinded Veterans Association in your lifetime.
A third option is to purchase a new policy specifically for gifting. Life insurance rates have declined dramatically in recent years, and you may be surprised at the affordability of new insurance, even if you’re in your 60s or 70s. Benefits include:
- Ability to make a large gift with little costs to you.
- Immediate tax deduction for the cash value of the policy if transferred in your lifetime.
- Current or future insurance premiums may be tax deductible.
- Life insurance can be a very cost-effective means to support BVA.
Stocks
It is frequently advantageous to make your donation in the form of appreciated securities. In most cases, the full market value of the securities is deductible while capital gains taxes are eliminated.
Planned Giving Staff
If you’d like to speak with a member of our staff, please contact us by phone at (800) 669-7079 ext. 304 or email bva@bva.org. We are happy to work with your attorney or financial planner.
Corporate Giving
Corporate Sponsorships are businesses that sign on as annual supporters of the Blinded Veterans Association. Sponsorships such as these provide an excellent way to contribute, become involved, and show your workforce, customers, and community that you care about our nation’s heroes.
Point of Sale Campaigns
Our point-of-sale fundraisers encourage customers to donate to the Blinded Veterans Association at the point of sale. Fundraising in your store is a win-win. It helps BVA fulfill its vital mission of providing ongoing services to our veterans free of charge as they remain true to the organization’s motto — “One Vision, One Team, One Fight.” It also shows people who shop and work at your store that, beyond building your core business, you are supporting our veterans and their families who, each day, are confronting the challenges of sight loss.
Matching Gifts
Companies recognize the value of their employees’ donations to the Blinded Veterans Association and offer matching gift programs to further increase the value of their donations.
How to give a Matching Gift:
The majority of companies offer online donations through their company websites. Submit a matching gift verification request through your company’s online portal. Or mail your matching gifts and/or forms to:
Blinded Veterans Association
ATTN: Development Department
PO Box 90770
Washington, DC 20090
Fax or email Matching Gift Forms to bva@bva.org.
As the only congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization exclusively dedicated to helping blind and low-vision veterans and their families rebuild and lead productive lives, we consider you part of our extended BVA family. We truly honor and appreciate your unique loyalty to blinded veterans. Without you, it would not be possible for us to do what we do. The organization is a 501(c)3 that is congressionally chartered. BVA’s Employer Identification Number is 53-0214281. All contributions are fully tax-deductible.
Employees can consult their HR representative to learn about Matching Gift or Volunteering opportunities and choose the Blinded Veterans Association as the recipient of these benefits.
Other Ways to Give
Social Media Fundraising
Facebook makes it easy to set up fundraising events in honor of your birthday, a memorial gift, or just because. Visit https://www.facebook.com/fundraisers/ to set up a fundraiser and raise money for the Blinded Veterans Association in just a couple of steps.
Donate Your Car
Do you have a car that you don’t need any more and would like to donate? BVA is a listed non-profit with CAREASY.org – a 501(c)3 organization that makes it simple for you to donate your car to your favorite non-profit.
To donate your car, visit CAREASY.org or call 855-500-RIDE (7433) and choose the Blinded Veterans Association as the recipient of the donation.
RoundUp App
RoundUp is an app that allows donors to connect their debit or credit card(s) and round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, donating to the non-profit of their choice. It is easy to set up and control the amount you are donating each much.
Sign up here or by going to RoundUpApp.com and selecting the Blinded Veterans Association as the recipient of your donations.
Other Ways to Pay
Venmo: Make your tax-deductible donation to BVA via your Venmo account by sending money to @blindedveterans or by going here.