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Nonprofiteer
← VETERANS CONSORTIUM PRO BONO PROGRAM

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by VETERANS CONSORTIUM PRO BONO PROGRAM.

Totals

Total revenue
$4,828,079
Total expenses
$5,104,226
Contributions and grants received
$4,341,479
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$373,109
Investment income
$113,491
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$4,481,748
Total liabilities, end of year
$3,983,468
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$498,280
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$5,074,717
Management and general expenses
$0
Fundraising expenses
$29,509
Program service expenses (Part III)
$5,074,717

Program services were 99.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $3,847,804

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $493,675

  • 2a · Program service revenue: DISCHARGE UPGRADE PROGRAM

    total $373,109 · related or exempt $373,109

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $113,491 · excluded $113,491

  • 4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

    total $0

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $0 · personal property $0

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $0

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $0

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $0

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $0

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $0

  • 9a · Gaming: gross income

    $0

  • 9b · Gaming: direct expenses

    $0

  • 9c · Net income from gaming

    total $0

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $0

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $0

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $0

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $0

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $0

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $0

  • 4 · Benefits paid to or for members

    total $0

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $221,375 · program services $221,375

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $0

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,731,142 · program services $2,731,142

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $188,472 · program services $188,472

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $221,074 · program services $221,074

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $219,169 · program services $219,169

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $0

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $11,219 · program services $11,219

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $51,060 · program services $51,060

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $0

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $0

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $0

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $420,325 · program services $420,325

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $21,687 · program services $21,687

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $488,784 · program services $459,275 · fundraising $29,509

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $195,138 · program services $195,138

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $168,948 · program services $168,948

  • 17 · Travel

    total $110,250 · program services $110,250

  • 18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials

    total $0

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $14,402 · program services $14,402

  • 20 · Interest

    total $0

  • 21 · Payments to affiliates

    total $0

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,521 · program services $1,521

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $39,660 · program services $39,660

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $456,933 · end of year $432,935

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $1,916,650 · end of year $3,117,632

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $17,126

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $39,141 · end of year $39,691

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $39,753

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $1,521

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $38,232

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $69,496 · end of year $836,132

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $251,724 · end of year $694,296

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,456,069 · end of year $2,315,084

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 22 · Loans and payables to officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $974,088

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $774,427 · end of year $498,280

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO APPELLANTS BEFORE THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS' CLAIMS AND PROVIDE TRAINING AND MENTORING ON VETERANS LAW TO VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS WHO PROVIDE THIS REPRESENTATION.

Activities or mission (Part I)

To provide assistance to unrepresented veterans or their family members who have filed appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (See Schedule O)

  • THE CAVC PRACTICE OPERATES THE FEDERAL PRO BONO PROGRAM FOR VETERANS ON BEHALF OF THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS' CLAIMS (COURT). WE CONDUCT OUTREACH TO ELIGIBLE VETERANS WITH DISABILITY COMPENSATION CLAIMS DENIED BY THE BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS THAT HAVE BEEN APPEALED OR ARE RIPE FOR APPEAL TO THE COURT, DILIGENTLY SCREEN THEIR CASES TO IDENTIFY THOSE WITH ISSUES OF LEGAL MERIT, AND CAREFULLY PLACE THEM WITH OUR CORPS OF VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS WHO PROVIDE FREE REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE COURT. CONCURRENTLY, WE RECRUIT VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN VETERANS LAW, MENTORS, CASE MATERIALS AND OTHER FOCUSED RESOURCES TO ENABLE AND ENHANCE THEIR SUCCESS. THIS YEAR THE CAVC PRACTICE RECEIVED 649 REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE, TRAINED 505 VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS, SCREEN 519 CASES FOR LEGAL MERIT, PLACED 400 WITH VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS, AND ASSISTED 739 SELF-REPRESENTED APPELLANTS THROUGH THE LIMITED LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION HELPLINE. THE CAVC PRACTICE ALSO MANAGES THE COURT'S RULE 33 PILOT PROGRAM WHICH IS A PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SELF-REPRESENTED APPELLANTS A SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN A PRO BONO COUNSEL AND RECEIVE FREE LIMITED REPRESENTATION FROM VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS AT A PRE-BRIEFING CONFERENCE. THIS YEAR, THE CAVC PRACTICE PLACED 89 SELF-REPRESENTED APPELLANTS WHO OPTED INTO THE RULE 33 PILOT PROGRAM WITH VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS.

    Expenses $4,071,011

  • THE DISCHARGE UPGRADE PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION NATIONWIDE TO VETERANS WITH OTHER THAN HONORABLE (OTH) DISCHARGES DUE TO CONDUCT RELATED TO POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD), MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (MST), TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI), DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL, AND ANTI-LGBTQIA+ POLICIES. WE CONDUCT OUTREACH TO ELIGIBLE VETERANS WITH OTHS, DILIGENTLY SCREEN THEIR CASES TO IDENTIFY THOSE WITH ISSUES OF MERIT, AND CAREFULLY PLACE THEM WITH OUR CORPS OF VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS WHO PROVIDE FREE REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BOARDS. CONCURRENTLY, WE RECRUIT VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN DISCHARGE UPGRADES, MENTORS, CASE MATERIALS AND OTHER FOCUSED RESOURCES TO ENABLE AND ENHANCE THEIR SUCCESS. THIS YEAR THE DU PROGRAM RECEIVED 2691 REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE, TRAINED 832 ATTORNEYS, SCREENED 293 CASES FOR MERIT, AND PLACED 61 CASES WITH VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS.

    Expenses $414,924 · Revenue $373,109

  • IN ADDITION TO SCREENING CASES FOR LEGAL MERIT AND MENTORING VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS, THE CAVC AND DU LEGAL TEAMS ALSO PROVIDED DIRECT REPRESENTATION IN A LIMITED NUMBER OF CASES. THIS YEAR THE CVAC ATTORNEYS PROVIDED DIRECT REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS TO 20 CLIENTS. THE DU ATTORNEYS PROVIDED DIRECT REPRESENTAITON BEFORE THE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARDS TO 22 CLIENTS.

    Expenses $588,782

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • STEPHEN W JORDON

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $221,375
    From this org
    $217,539
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $3,836
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $199,469
    Bonus
    $18,070
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $3,836
    Filer's total
    $221,375

  • JAMES CARLSEN

    DIRECTOR, Business operations

    Total calculated
    $199,381
    From this org
    $195,080
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,301
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $180,080
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $4,301
    Filer's total
    $199,381

  • COURTNEY SMITH

    Deputy Executive Director

    Total calculated
    $191,959
    From this org
    $188,500
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $3,459
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $173,500
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $3,459
    Filer's total
    $191,959

  • Christie Bhageloe

    Dir, Discharge Upgrade Program

    Total calculated
    $168,924
    From this org
    $131,892
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,032
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $116,892
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,032
    Filer's total
    $168,924

  • CLAUDIA DALeY

    DIR. OF COMMUNIC. & DEVELOP.

    Total calculated
    $153,896
    From this org
    $151,129
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $2,767
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $136,129
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,767
    Filer's total
    $153,896

  • CHESLEY N ROBERTS

    Deputy Director

    Total calculated
    $123,666
    From this org
    $123,666
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • WILLIAM S FOSTER JR ESQ

    CHAIR/Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LEONARD J SELFON ESQ

    SECRETARY/Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ROY E SPICER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANIELA SZYMANSKI Esq

    VICE CHAIR/DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JOHN MUCKELBAUER Esq

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LANITA MORGAN Esq

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LEE GARDNER Esq

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • RIChard V SPATARO Esq

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mario A Marquez Esq

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KARI JOLLY

    TREASURER/Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

SCH J PART I, LINE 7
The bonuses for the directors are approved by the governing board.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
15 November 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202403189349302345

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