Donation Transparency & Donor Trust

Last Updated: July 2026

At Veterans Relief Foundation (VRF), financial integrity and donor trust are central to our mission. We believe every donor, volunteer, and veteran has the right to know exactly how funds are received, managed, and deployed.

As an independent 501(c)(3) public charity, we maintain full transparency regarding our organizational structure, tax filings, state registrations, and financial allocations.

At-a-Glance Legal & Registration Details

Financial Allocation & Spending Targets

We hold ourselves accountable to strict operational efficiency standards, ensuring that the vast majority of every dollar directly supports military veterans in need.

The targets below represent our annual operating budget allocations. Final, audited year-end actuals are published in our annual IRS Form 990 filings.

Category	Allocation Target	Primary Use of Funds
Direct Veteran Programs	80% - 85%	Custom mobility equipment (power chairs, adaptive fitting), emergency food vouchers, hygiene provisions, adaptive recreation events, and veteran case navigation.
Administration & Governance	8% - 10%	Accounting, legal compliance, required state filings, insurance, software tools, and organizational oversight.
Fundraising & Community Outreach	7% - 10%	Donor communications, educational campaigns, volunteer screening, and corporate partnership development.

Official Public Filings & Governance Documents

In accordance with federal public inspection rules under Internal Revenue Code § 6104, our tax-exempt determination letters and annual tax returns are available for public review.

• IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter — [Download PDF]

• Annual IRS Form 990 / 990-EZ — [Download Current Year PDF]

• California Form RRF-1 (Annual Registration Renewal Fee Report) — [Download PDF]

• Conflict of Interest & Whistleblower Policies — [Download PDF]

To request hard copies of any public filings, please submit a written request to info@vrfstrong.org or mail our Irvine headquarters.

Tax Deductibility & Official Tax Receipts

Veterans Relief Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

• Automated Receipts: An official tax receipt is automatically issued via email immediately following any processed online donation.

• Written Substantiation (Gifts $250+): In compliance with IRC § 170(f)(8), formal written substantiation letters are issued for all contributions exceeding $250.

• No Goods or Services Exchange: Unless explicitly noted in writing (e.g., event tickets or merchandise sales), no goods or services are provided in exchange for your charitable contribution.

Restricted Gifts, Sponsorships & In-Kind Donations

• Restricted Program Giving: Donors may direct contributions to specific program pillars (Mobility, Food Provisions, Recreation, or Orange County Center). VRF honors reasonable donor restrictions that align with our core mission and program needs.

• Corporate & Foundation Sponsorships: Corporate partners receive formal grant agreements, brand usage guidelines, and custom impact reports. Contact info@vrfstrong.org to request a partnership packet.

• In-Kind Equipment & Supplies: VRF accepts select in-kind equipment (e.g., new or gently used mobility chairs, adaptive gear) and professional services. All in-kind donations must meet strict safety, operational, and medical cleanliness standards prior to acceptance.

Donor Privacy & Data Protection

VRF strictly protects donor privacy and abides by the Donor Bill of Rights:

• No Sale or Rental: We do not sell, trade, rent, or share donor contact information, mailing lists, or email addresses with any third parties or commercial entities.

• Payment Security: All online financial transactions are processed using industry-standard 256-bit SSL encryption via compliant payment gateways (PayPal and Stripe). VRF never stores full credit card numbers or sensitive banking data on our local servers.

• Opt-Out Control: Donors may modify communication preferences, opt out of mailings, or request complete removal from marketing databases at any time by contacting us.

Refund & Duplicate Transaction Policy

Charitable donations are generally non-refundable once allocated to mission activities. However, VRF recognizes that entry errors or duplicate charges can occur:

• Error Resolution Window: If an error occurs during an online transaction, please contact info@vrfstrong.org within 15 calendar days.

• Verification & Processing: Upon verification of duplicate or erroneous transactions, VRF will issue a prompt full refund to the original payment method.

Questions Regarding Financial Stewardship?

Our leadership team is available to answer questions from donors, grantors, and community partners.

Veterans Relief Foundation

Attn: Finance & Compliance Department

16171 Scientific Way

Irvine, CA 92618

• Direct Phone: (949) 670-9992

• Compliance Email: info@vrfstrong.org

• Charity Registry: State of California Department of Justice (rct.doj.ca.gov)