About IAVA

Frequently Asked Questions

Find your question by topic:  General  |  GI Bill   |  Donations   |  Press

GENERAL

1. What does IAVA do? Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America works to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. We accomplish this by connecting and empowering veterans in their local communities and online, by fighting for veterans rights in Washington, DC, and by giving civilians concrete actions they can take to support our newest generation of American heroes. Click here to learn about some of our recent successes.

2. I'm not a veteran. How can I help? The best thing you can do to get involved is to sign up as an IAVA Supporter. We'll send you occasional emails with information on what you can do to support troops & veterans. We only send out things that are worthwhile, and we don't send spam or share your information with any third parties. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information on what you can do to get involved, visit the 'Take Action' section of our website.

3. What is Community of Veterans? Community of Veterans is the first online social network exclusively for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This veteran-only community is designed to help ease the transition back to civilian life by connecting veterans with one another, and with resources in their local areas. The site is a joint project between IAVA and the Ad Council, which also includes a nationwide ad campaign announcing the community. To join, click here

4. Does joining CommunityofVeterans.org make me an IAVA Member Veteran? When you register with Community of Veterans, you have the option of also becoming an IAVA Member Veteran. But if you do not choose to sign up as an IAVA Member Veteran, you will not become one.

5. I'm a veteran, but not of Iraq or Afghanistan. Am I eligible for Membership? Absolutely. You can help us achieve our mission by joining IAVA as a Veteran Supporter. We’ll send you occasional emails with information on what you can do to support this generation of veterans. We only send out things that are worthwhile, and we don't send spam or share your information with any third parties. You an unsubscribe at any time. For more information on what you can do to get involved, visit the 'Take Action' section of our website.

6. Does IAVA have local chapters? IAVA does not presently have local chapters. We do, however, organize local events across the country over the course of the year. Sign up to be an IAVA member and we will keep you updated on events and opportunities in your area.

7. Does IAVA endorse political candidates? No. IAVA is a strictly non-partisan, 501(c)3 organization, and does not endorse any political candidates for office.

8. What is IAVA Action? IAVA Action Fund is a non-profit, nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization dedicated to pushing for solutions to veterans’ issues and concerns though issue advocacy, and to holding our leaders accountable for their actions through aggressive media campaigns.

9. What does the IAVA DC Office Do? IAVA has become a driving force behind groundbreaking legislation affecting troops, veterans, and their families. From the passage of the landmark new GI Bill to historic budget increases for the VA, IAVA’s aggressive advocacy has yielded unprecedented legislative victories for our country’s newest generation of veterans. Our DC office has established strong relationships on Capitol Hill with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and their staffs, and we’ve partnered with other veterans’ and military organizations on these historic achievements. IAVA also regularly testifies before Congress on critical issues such as mental health care, reintegration challenges of the National Guard and Reserves, and the VA disability claims backlog. IAVA’s legislative priorities and recommendations can be found in our Annual Legislative Agenda. In addition, our IAVA DC Office produces a compelling series of Issue Reports , which offer comprehensive analysis and the latest research on the most urgent challenges facing new veterans. For more information, visit the 'IAVA in Washington' section of our website.

GI BILL

1. I have a question about my GI Bill benefits. Where can I find an answer? We've set up a comprehensive GI Bill FAQ at NewGIBill.org, along with a calculator that lets you calculate your estimated benefits. Click here to go there now.

DONATIONS

1. How will my donation be spent? What percentage of my donation will be spent directly on veterans? Your donation is critical for IAVA to continue working on behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. IAVA is funded by individual donations, foundation grants, special events, and earned revenue like IAVA gear. Donations go towards educating the general public on the issues facing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, fostering a community for veterans, and advocating on their behalf. Please click here to download IAVA’s 2010 Annual Report which provides financial statements.

2. How do I cancel/change my recurring donation? Please send an email to donate[at]iava.org to cancel or change your recurring donation or call 212-982-9699.

3. I made an online donation but did not receive an email confirmation. How do I know that the donation was successfully processed? Please send an email to donate[at]iava.org or call 212-982-9699.

4. Can items purchased from your online store be shipped overseas? Absolutely. IAVA gear can be ordered to ship anywhere in the world, including APO and FPO addresses.

5. How can I get a receipt for tax purposes? If you donated online, you received an email immediately after making your donation thanking you. This letter should be used for tax purposes. If you donated with a check or money order, a letter was sent to you in the mail within two weeks of your donation. This letter should be used for tax purposes. If you need to request another copy, please email donate[at]iava.org or call 212-982-9699.

6. What is IAVA’s federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax ID number? IAVA is a 501(c)3 organization, which means that your donation to IAVA is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. IAVA’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and tax ID number is #20-1664531.

7. What is IAVA's privacy policy regarding donations? IAVA will never share your information with any unaffiliated groups without your explicit permission. Click here for full details.

PRESS

1. I am a member of the press interested in speaking to someone at IAVA or a veteran spokesperson. Where do I direct my inquiry? IAVA works with a variety of veteran spokespeople to raise the profile of the most important veterans issues in the media. To meet some of our spokespeople, visit our Press Room. To arrange an interview with a spokesperson, an IAVA staff member, or IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, contact Isabel Black in the Communications Office (isabel[at]iava.org, or (212)982-9699).

2. I am a member of the press. Where can I find the latest press on IAVA? Visit our Press Room.

3. Where can I find more information on the biggest issues facing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans? Check out the in the 'IAVA in Washington' section of our website.