The DAV Charitable Service Trust has received the 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar by Candid. As an online charity profile platform, Guidestar is the largest source for nonprofit data collection, providing unbiased information which allows charities to highlight their mission and commitment to transparency. The Trust aims to be a transparent and reliable source of information so donors can make educated decisions about the charities they support.

In carrying out its mission of empowering veterans to lead high quality lives with respect and dignity, the Trust supports programs that ensure quality health care for veterans; assistance to veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, substance-abuse issues and related conditions; programs enhancing mobility for veterans with amputations, spinal cord injuries and other physical afflictions; and additional initiatives addressing the needs of veterans and caregivers or families.

Guidestar focuses on several key points when deciding which charities will receive Platinum Seal status—focusing on each group’s mission, programs, and impact results, as well as the organization’s business goals, strategies, finances and operations, to name a few.

“DAV is proud to continue its mission of empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity,” said Trust President Richard E. Marbes. “We are constantly striving to achieve complete transparency with our donors. This recognition allows us to go back to them with reassurance that their contributions are being used to help our nation’s veterans.”

Last year alone, the Trust awarded $7.2 million throughout the United States to support programs that help veterans and their families.