Disabled American Veterans

What Disabled American Veterans does

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a Congressionally chartered, tax-exempt nonprofit veterans service organization founded in 1920 and headquartered in Erlanger, Kentucky. It provides free, lifetime support to service-disabled veterans, transitioning service members, caregivers, and their families through five core service lines: VA Benefits Help (claims and appeals representation by professional National Service Officers embedded at VA hospitals), Medical Transportation (a volunteer driver network operating at 247+ VA locations with a fleet originating in 1987), Transition Services (assistance at 100+ military installations), Employment & Entrepreneurship (job fairs via the RecruitMilitary partnership and the Patriot Boot Camp program), and DAV Caregivers Support. In 2025 the organization reported filing 567,062 claims covering 1,547,111 specific injuries and illnesses, facilitating more than $33.1 billion in earned VA benefits, providing over 230,000 free medical transportation rides, and helping more than 1 million veterans in total.

DAV's business model is donation-funded rather than commercial, with no federal funding and no fees charged for any service. Revenue is generated through individual donations (one-time, monthly, IRA rollover, stock, honorary, and memorial gifts), corporate partnerships (Ford, T-Mobile, Delta Dental, EG America, Chevron, Golden Corral, USAA, Humana), membership dues from nearly 1 million members across 1,200+ local chapters in 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C., and in-kind donation conversion programs (vehicles via CARS Inc., real estate, heavy equipment via Bright Star Auctions, and clothing via PickupPlease). Affiliated entities include DAV Charitable Service Trust (a grantmaking body), DAV National Service Foundation, and DAV Auxiliary. The organization also operates a legislative advocacy platform (DAV CAN), the Mindscapes digital resource on psychedelic-assisted therapies, and content channels including podcasts, a 5K series, and a Twitch-based Charity Stream.

DAV does not develop commercial technology products. Its operational technology stack comprises the MyDAV.org member portal, davcaregivers.org caregiver support platform, content websites, and CRM/marketing infrastructure for donor and member engagement. Leadership consists of CEO and Adjutant Barry Jesinoski, National Commander Coleman Nee (the top elected member representative), and Assistant Executive Director Jim Marszalek. The organization is governed by its membership through an annual national convention and operates under a Congressional charter that confers regulatory standing distinct from typical 501(c)(3) entities.

Name

Disabled American Veterans

Legal name

Disabled American Veterans

Website

https://dav.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is a Congressionally chartered, donation-funded nonprofit founded in 1920 that provides free VA benefits assistance, medical transportation, employment services, transition support, and caregiver programs to more than one million service-disabled veterans, transitioning service members, and their families annually across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: DAV receives donations from individual supporters through online giving, mail donations, phone donations, IRA rollover gifts, stock gifts, and vehicle donations. The organization states it receives no federal funding, relying entirely on private contributions.
2. Corporate Partnerships: DAV generates revenue through cause marketing campaigns, event sponsorships, membership discount programs, and direct corporate donations from partners such as Ford, T-Mobile, Delta Dental, EG America, and others.
3. Vehicle and Property Donations: DAV accepts vehicle donations (cars, RVs, boats) and real estate donations, converting them to cash through partnerships with CARS Inc. and real estate auction platforms to support veteran programs.
4. Membership Dues: DAV collects membership dues from its nearly 1 million members, offering member advantages including Ford vehicle discounts and other partner benefits.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DAV is a congressionally chartered nonprofit veterans service organization that provides free services to disabled veterans and their families, including VA benefits claims assistance, volunteer-driven medical transportation to VA facilities, employment and entrepreneurship support, transition services at military installations, and caregiver support. The organization operates through a network of nearly 1 million members across more than 1,200 local chapters, with professional National Service Officers embedded at VA hospitals nationwide.

Product overview

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is a nonprofit veterans service organization providing a comprehensive suite of free services to veterans rather than a commercial product company. The core offerings include VA Benefits Help (claims filing assistance), Medical Transportation (volunteer driver network), Employment & Entrepreneurship (job fairs, Patriot Boot Camp), Transition Services, and DAV Caregivers Support. These are complemented by donation programs (vehicles, real estate, heavy equipment, clothing), fundraising events (DAV 5K, Charity Stream), digital resources (Mindscapes for psychedelic therapy information), and member services (MyDAV.org portal, DAV Magazine, Podcasts). DAV operates through a network of nearly 1 million members across more than 1,200 local chapters, with supplemental organizations including the DAV Charitable Service Trust, National Service Foundation, and DAV Auxiliary.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DAV Caregivers Support: Program providing tailored support and resources to friends, family members and loved ones who provide care to veterans
• Mindscapes
• DAV Caregivers Support
• DAV 5K
• Patriot Boot Camp

Products and services

• VA Benefits Help Free professional assistance helping veterans and their families file claims for VA health care, disability, employment, education, and financial benefits. Services include claims representation, appeals support, and benefits counseling delivered by National Service Officers at VA facilities nationwide.
• Medical Transportation Free transportation to and from VA medical facilities for injured and ill veterans through a volunteer driver network operating at more than 247 VA locations. Since 1987, departments and chapters have donated over 4,457 vehicles to the program.
• Employment and Entrepreneurship Program Job fairs, career resources, employment program, and DAV Patriot Boot Camp helping veterans secure meaningful civilian employment and start businesses. Includes resume assistance, employer connections, and entrepreneurship mentorship.
• Transition Services Benefits counseling and claims assistance for active-duty service members filing initial VA claims at military installations throughout the nation, supporting a smooth transition from military to civilian life.
• DAV Caregivers Support Tailored support and resources for friends, family members, and loved ones who provide care to veterans, including individual support from trained specialists at no cost, accessed via davcaregivers.org.
• Vehicle Donation Program Program accepting car, truck, RV, boat, and motorcycle donations with free pickup and tax deduction benefits, operated in partnership with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services). Proceeds support DAV's veteran programs.
• Real Estate Donation Program Program accepting land, homes, and commercial real estate donations, handling mortgages, liens, and closing costs with proceeds supporting DAV programs.
• Heavy Equipment Donation Program Program accepting excavators, bulldozers, tractors, and other heavy equipment with auction services operated through Bright Star Auctions.
• Clothing Donation Program Pickup service for clothing and household goods in Greater Charlotte and Staten Island areas, operated by PickupPlease (M&M Thrift Company), with proceeds supporting DAV programs.
• Mindscapes Online resource providing balanced information on psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans with service-related mental health conditions, addressing treatments such as MDMA, psilocybin, and ibogaine for PTSD, brain injuries, and substance use disorders.
• DAV Patriot Boot Camp Program providing active duty service members, veterans, and their spouses with access to mentors, educational programming, and a community of experts and peers to help them build impactful businesses.
• DAV Charitable Service Trust Tax-exempt grant-making organization awarding grants to non-profit organizations serving veterans and people with disabilities.
• DAV National Service Foundation Foundation supporting DAV's national service and programs for veterans.
• MyDAV.org Member Portal Online member portal providing access to DAV records, membership cards, dues management, and member resources.
• DAV Podcasts Audio content including episodes on disaster risks, veteran benefits history (Benefits of the Doubt), and women veterans topics, distributed as a podcast series.
• DAV Charity Stream Online fundraising program connecting gaming and livestreaming communities to raise funds for veterans nationwide through livestreaming events on platforms such as Twitch.
• DAV Auxiliary Organization for family members of disabled veterans providing additional support, fellowship, and auxiliary services to DAV's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• DAV helped veterans receive over $33.1 billion in earned benefits in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• T-MobilecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2026T-Mobile renewed its partnership with DAV in 2026, contributing $50,000 to benefit DAV's Caregivers Support program. The partnership, active since 2024, has championed several DAV programs and reflects sustained commitment to the military and veteran community.
• Americans for IbogaineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026DAV and Americans for Ibogaine announced a partnership to advance education, research, and advocacy surrounding psychedelic therapies, particularly ibogaine treatment for veterans with PTSD, brain injuries, and substance use disorders. Organizations will share resources and mobilize advocacy for evidence-based ibogaine research.
• VetJobsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 May 2026VetJobs received a $20,000 grant from the DAV Charitable Service Trust to fund career specialist programs for military-connected job seekers, providing resume optimization, social media guidance, and job search support at no cost.
• Delta DentalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 April 2026Delta Dental renewed its partnership with DAV in 2026, committing $150,000 to support the organization's mission. The partnership includes developing a new dental health resource webpage to expand awareness and access to dental care for service-disabled veterans. Partnership active since 2017.
• Comoto / J&P CyclesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 March 2026Comoto, parent company of J&P Cycles and Cycle Gear, donated $25,000 to DAV during Daytona Bike Week 2026. Funds were raised through a Veterans Day campaign where J&P Cycles pledged $3 from every online order, supplemented by Bike Night events.
• Owners in HonorminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2025DAV and Owners in Honor partnered to create pathways for veterans to own businesses through startup and acquisition options. The partnership aims to provide guidance, education, and support to veterans for business ownership with measurable outcomes.
• EG AmericacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 October 2025EG America committed $150,000 to support Disabled American Veterans through a campaign across its 1,500 convenience stores in November 2025. The campaign included guest donations at checkout and complimentary coffee for veterans on Veterans Day. Total raised for DAV exceeds $4 million to date.
• Ford Motor CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFord provides vehicle donations and discounts for DAV members. Since the Transportation Network program's inception in 1987, Ford has donated 274 vehicles valued at over $104 million to support veteran transportation.
• ChevronminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChevron is listed as a corporate partner supporting DAV's mission through cause marketing and event sponsorships.
• Golden CorralminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolden Corral is listed as a corporate partner supporting DAV through annual fundraising campaigns benefiting veterans.
• USAAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUSAA is listed as a corporate partner supporting DAV's mission to serve veterans.
• HumanaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHumana is listed as a corporate partner supporting DAV through healthcare-related initiatives.
• CARS, Inc. (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCARS operates the DAV Vehicle Donation Program, handling all vehicle donations nationwide. ISO 9001 certified nonprofit with A+ BBB rating, processing donations in all 50 states and Canada.
• Real Estate Donation Program ProviderminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDAV partners with a national real estate auction platform and title company for property donations, handling vetting and conversion to cash.
• PickupPlease / M&M Thrift CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPickupPlease operates the DAV Clothing Donation Program in the Greater Charlotte and Staten Island areas, handling pickup and processing of donations.
• Bright Star AuctionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBright Star Auctions operates the DAV Heavy Equipment Donation Program, a team of 40 professionals in Middlebury, Indiana handling equipment donations nationwide.
• RecruitMilitarycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecruitMilitary powers DAV's veteran job fairs, providing platform for connecting veterans with employers at events nationwide and virtually.
• DAV Charitable Service TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDAV Charitable Service Trust provides grants to veteran-focused nonprofits like VetJobs, funding career specialist programs and employment assistance.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): VFW is one of the largest and oldest veterans service organizations in the U.S., providing advocacy, benefits assistance, and community programs similar to DAV. Both compete for the same donor base and represent overlapping veteran constituencies.
• The American Legion: The American Legion is a congressionally chartered veterans service organization offering benefits assistance, advocacy, and community programs. It directly competes with DAV for membership, donations, and veteran mindshare across similar service categories.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project focuses on post-9/11 wounded veterans and offers benefits support, mental health programs, and career services. It competes with DAV for the same donor pool and represents a more digitally-focused, modern VSO model.
• Paralyzed Veterans of America: Paralyzed Veterans of America is a VSO focused on catastrophically disabled veterans, providing benefits assistance, advocacy, and accessibility programs. Its mission and service-delivery model closely parallel DAV's work with service-disabled veterans.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): IAVA is the leading post-9/11 veterans organization, offering advocacy, benefits support, and mental health resources. It represents the digitally-native generation of veterans and overlaps with DAV's transition services and benefits assistance offerings.
• Fisher House Foundation: Fisher House provides free lodging for veterans' families during medical treatment and operates a scholarship program. It addresses similar veteran support needs and is a peer in terms of donor base and corporate partnership competition.

Broad incumbents

• USO (United Service Organizations): The USO supports active-duty service members and their families with broader welfare programs. While not a direct benefits-claims competitor, it operates in the overlapping military-support space and competes for corporate donor partnerships.

Emerging players

• Team Rubicon: Team Rubicon is a veteran-led disaster response organization that engages veterans in service. It overlaps with DAV's volunteer-driven service model and competes for the engaged-veteran constituency.
• Hire Heroes USA: Hire Heroes USA provides free employment services to transitioning military members and veterans, directly overlapping with DAV's Employment & Entrepreneurship program and job fair offerings.

Regional players

• Student Veterans of America: Student Veterans of America focuses on higher-education support for veterans, an adjacent but narrower segment than DAV's full-service model. It competes for the post-9/11 veteran audience and overlapping donor support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/davhq
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/disabledamericanveterans
• Facebookfacebook.com/dav
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/disabled-american-veterans
• Instagraminstagram.com/davhq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Disabled American Veterans