National Association of Veterans' Research and Education Foundations

What it reported doing in 2024

Education: education is a critical component of navref's vision, mission and values. Navref offers a variety of educational opportunities to its members. These include: (1) training workshops- typically 2-day events focused on topics of interest, (2) a monthly webinar series- a member- driven online series that delivers educational contact each month to address evolving npc-related topics and present services to members, and (3) regular forum calls - biweekly video calls where members can discuss any emerging concern or issue they are facing locally at their npc. (4) navref also hosts a state of the science series to convene stakeholders on specific topics such as priority disease areas and innovations in medicine. Additionally, navref offers members peer review consultation services which involves an intense preparatory review of bylaws, strategy, policies, procedures, and finances followed by a site visit to discuss specific issues and solutions with the npc's executives and board of directors. The centerpiece of navref's educational program is our annual conference. The 3-day event averages 200 attendees from member organizations and focuses on the most relevant topics related to administration, governance, financial management, human resources, and revenue development. Plenary speakers from the u.s. Congress, department of veterans affairs, national institutes of national association of veterans' health, and the life sciences industry provide keen insight on developing trends and initiatives. Navref also coordinates with our members and other nonprofit organizations to provide additional educational content for member employees and va-affiliated personnel at no cost to the members.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 70.8%; rating input score 71
• Program expense ratio: 86.1%; rating input score 86
• Fundraising efficiency: $9.53 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 16%; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.4; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.36; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 35.3%; rating input score 5; 5th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11.9% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 7% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 1.1% per year; rating input score 100; 22nd percentile among comparable filings