Virginia Down Syndrome Association

What it reported doing in 2024

In addition to volunteer services, the organization is the grateful recipient of financial contributions by 100% of its board and staff. Vdsa reached a new milestone in programs and individual support provided to families in our network. We welcomed over 90 new families and provided family care support for over 300 existing families. During the year, the organization was able to host in-person and virtual social and education programs. We proudly serve over 850 families across greater richmond, charlottesville, williamsburg, central shenandoah valley and fredericksburg. Family support and community outreach: we continue to engage with families at every stage of life by offering connection opportunities with other families as well as offering resources needed to access support in the community. Our team continued to build relationships and collaborate with community partners and resources to help address the growing needs of our families. Our first call program welcomes each new family with a pre-natal or birth diagnosis to the organization. Families are provided with a welcome bag and resources. During the year, we welcome 223 first call families, along with an additional 72 new families reaching out to vdsa, for a total of 95 new families.provided family care support services to 310 families of individuals with down syndrome.provided 116 educators, families, and community leaders with education about best practices and recommendations for individuals with ds.facebook followers on our multiple pages - over 983 on seven parent pages, 1 grandparent page, 4900 on the main facebook vdsa page. Instagram followers: 1128 social programs: vdsa provides social programming and member engagement for all families, as well as targeted opportunities for individuals with down syndrome by a variety of age groups. Our social groups foster friendships, peer socialization, networking and resourcing opportunities for both individuals with down syndrome and parents. Members are allowed to participate in any age group or program that meets their needs.during the year, vdsa hosted a variety of virtual and in-person social group events for all ages where members were able to participate in activities and socialize. These activities included world down syndrome celebration, dinner outings, splash pad meet and greets, gymnastics, miniature golf, yoga, rock climbing, new parent brunch, hiking, fishing, outdoor adventure club, social skill building, jr. Ranger, and arts in the park. Family events included a family picnic and pool party, baseball game outing, trunk or treat, ornament decorating and holiday party.vdsa has other targeted caregiver support groups to help provide members with the opportunity to come together to support each other. These groups include:- comprehensive caregiver group is a support group designed to bring together families who have a loved one with down syndrome but may also have an additional diagnosis or condition that brings different needs. This group provides opportunities for parents to come together and support each other, no matter what that extra something may be.- moms and dads groups are designed to give each parent an opportunity to develop their own unique network of support. These groups help provide opportunities for fellowship, resource sharing and recreational activities. - grandparent to grandparent is designed to give each grandparent the opportunity to develop their own unique network of support. This group provides opportunities for fellowship, resource sharing and recreational activities.- latinos de vdsa is a family support group to provide opportunities for our spanish speaking families to come together for fellowship, resource sharing and recreational activities. We host several family events each year focused on our spanish-speaking families. - 21 shades of Virginia is a family support group created after an expressed need in support of families expecting or raising a black/interracial child with down s

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 83.2%; rating input score 83
• Program expense ratio: 79.4%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.02 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• 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: 5 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 71
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Fail
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -4.6%; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.48; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.22; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11.7% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 9.8% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings