When deciding where and how to donate to veterans, it’s important to do your homework to ensure you’re donating to a reputable charity. You want to know about the organization you are donating to, understand the mission and vision of that veteran nonprofit, and—most importantly—know your money is going to the cause that you support and that it is making an impact. The last thing you want is to fall victim to donation scams.
The truth about DAV
DAV was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. For over a century, DAV has been among the best and most impactful veterans charities.
Our annual report shows the scope and impact of our accomplishments on behalf of veterans, their families and their survivors.
We do not receive any government funding. The services we provide to ensure our nation’s heroes live their lives with respect and dignity are only made possible through the generous giving of the caring public.
Frequently asked questions
We do not receive any government funding—our programs are operated solely from the generous giving of the caring public. As such, we are very mindful of the use of the donations we receive and make sure they are used as efficiently as possible to fulfill our mission of ensuring all disabled veterans have the right to live their lives with respect and dignity. In 2023, 83.3% of our contributions directly benefited veterans and families.
No. DAV programs pick up and fill the void left by government agencies. This is especially true given government budget cutbacks, which have made the need for DAV’s services greater over the past several years.
Yes. DAV is a tax-exempt organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible according to IRS regulations.
There have been instances in the past where other organizations have used—both intentionally and unintentionally—DAV’s name or a very close likeness to raise funds. DAV has been serving veterans and their families for more than a century, and we closely safeguard our reputation to ensure our donors feel they are giving to the best veterans charity.
If you have any questions about the legitimacy of a DAV fundraising request—whether made by mail, telephone, email or website—or if you suspect you may be targeted by a scam using DAV’s name, please contact our national headquarters at 877-426-2838 to verify the request is from DAV.
