FULL ANNUAL REPORT
THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA
SSFOA has no paid positions, at time of report, members have volunteered over 37,740 hours
Administrative costs: 2.40 percent
MISSION STATEMENT
The Silver Star Families of America was organized to remember and honor the wounded of our Armed Forces by establishing a Service Flag dedicated just for this purpose. Our mission is to make sure that no wounded Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine is ever forgotten for the blood sacrifice made for this Nation. Our goal is to provide a Banner or Flag to every wounded Soldier or their families.
EXECUTIVE STATEMENT
The Silver Star Families of America began in early 2005 as the Purple Hearts with 6 members. Since that time it has evolved into an organization of over 1000 members from all across the United States.
SSFOA is a Missouri incorporated non profit public charity, TAX ID # 20-3940415
SSFOA has given over 1000 Silver Star Banners to our Wounded Armed Forces members, with Silver Star Flags hanging at many military medical facilities, V.A. hospitals and homes, Iraq, Germany, other facilities that assist our Wounded, American Legion Posts, Purple Hearts, VFWs, and individuals' homes.
The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and many U.S. Senators are working to get our Silver Star Flag certified as an “Official” Service Flag. SSFOA is seeing the Silver Star Flag and Banner given signature endorsement state by state by Governors and Dept. of Veterans Affairs. May 1st been declared "Silver Star Day" for the wounded by 44 states and numerous cities.
SSFOA distributed hundreds of books, CDs, phone cards, get well cards, playing cards and other items to our wounded or to various Military or Veterans Hospitals. AS members of VAVS, SSFOA sends care packages to VAs in all 50 states during the Christmas Seasons and supports various VAs throughout the year.
Troop organizations have joined to work with us and assist our Wounded, including, Soldiers Angels, GiveAnHour, Thank You Foundation and many more. SSFOA has added several programs such as, Hear4You, PTSD resources, Food Cards, Games for Wounded, Letter Writing Team, and programs geared to Christmas for the Wounded.
All in all we have come along way, thanks to the dedication and patriotism of our volunteers and officers.
Janie Orman
President
The Silver Star Families of America
2008 EXPECTATIONS
As members of VAVS, SSFOA will continue to support VA hospitals in every state and attend meetings as a voice of our wounded Veterans.
SSFOA anticipates exceeding the over-thousand count of Banners that were distributed in 2007. The need for financial support and efforts to acquire funds and grants will be increased and the objective to honor all Veterans wounded in a war zone from all wars will carry on.
SSFOA will continue its mission to see the Silver Star Flag and Banner recognized at the Congressional level. In the meantime SSFOA has embarked on a plan to see the fifty States declare the Silver Star Flag and Banner for the wounded as the Official Flag and Banner in their state along with Missouri, Connecticut and Indiana that have signed proclamations already at this time.
SSFOA is manned by volunteers with no paid employees and will strive to keeps its administrative costs to 2.40 percent as in previous years. SSFOA does not hold conventions and does not pay travel costs.
SSFOA will continue efforts to assist the wounded with various programs in addition to presenting Silver Star Banners. Programs include: Hear4You, Food Cards, Games for Wounded, and our Writing Team.
2008 BUDGET PROPOSAL
INCOME AND EXPENSES
Based on last year’s expenditures and the predicted growth of our Silver Star Banner Program, we expect to need an income of approximately $50,000.
1. Flags and Banners $40,000
2. Game Program $2,000
3. Other Programs $2,000
4. Insurance $1,000
5. Audits $1,000
6. Postage, etc $4,000
I am committed to holding down all administrative cost to previous year’s levels. To maintain our prestige as one of the most efficient veteran’s organizations admin costs will not exceed 5%.
Fundraising expenses will also be kept to an absolute minimum. We have not and will not use marketing firms to increase our income but raise our fundraising costs to an unacceptable level.
We will continue to be an all volunteer organization with NO paid employees. We will maintain sound fiscal policy according to Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures.
We will continue to have a yearly audit, rotating our accounting firm every 5 years while augmenting our fiscal soundness using the audit committee’s finding and recommendations.
The above are estimates and represent my best judgment in forecasting next year’s income and expense needs. Restricted revenue for programs etc resides with the Chief Financial Officer.
Janie Orman
President
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2007 Expectations
The SSFOA embarked on an ambitious plan to have all 50 states declare May 1st Silver Star Day for the wounded.
This effort was highly successful with 44 states, the District of Columbia and 26 cities across the Nation signing on.
This project, along with articles appearing in several national publications has increased public awareness of the SSFOA and therefore increased demand for our Banners and Certificates.
We project delivering more than 1000 Banners this year alone.
Financial needs will be multiplied by demand.
We are proud that our 990 for 2006 shows our administrative costs at 2.40 percent of our budget and we are working to lower that figure.
We have no paid employee’s or board members and we do not hold conventions or pay travel costs.
We plan to further expand into all 50 states and to continue to provide all the assistance to the wounded as we possibly can.
2006 EXPECTATIONS
We are pursuing various avenues of fund raising, including grants and donations. As of now the number of wounded from the War on Terror has exceeded 16,000. And since we recognize other injuries and illnesses this number is greatly increased. We also honor requests for Banners from the wounded of passed wars which increases
our commitment many fold.
The SSFOA will continue and actually have increased our distribution of in-kind donations to various military medical centers and V.A. hospitals.
In the next year we also look forward to starting new chapters.
As our organization grows so will our financial needs. Since our organization has no overhead, all donations are used toward supporting and recognizing our wounded with our major concern being the funding for purchasing Banners and Flags.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The SSFOA continues to operate solely on donations from its members and the general public.
As of now all the Flags and Banners have been purchased by member and public donations.
In-kind donations such as books, phone cards, CDs, etc have come from members and the general public.
While our general revenues balance with our expenditures, we have a waiting list of wounded waiting for Banners.
This illustrates the need for outside resources from grants and donations from companies and major organizations. As of now we have no corporate sponsors.
As of 12/31/05 we had funds in the amount of $701, where $500 was held for the IRS filing fee for our 501(c)(3) tax exempt status application filing.
2006 PROPOSED BUDGET
As you can see from our good faith estimate to ensure we are able to provide the Silver Star Banners/Flags are available for our wounded and those who wish to fly the Silver Star Flag, we are in great need for funds to continue with our mission and purpose.
FINANCIAL CONTROLS
To ensure that all funds and in-kind donations are properly recorded, documented, and accounted for, Internal Financial Controls have been established between our co-Treasurers to:
1. Safeguard the organization’s assets.
2. Produce accurate financial data.
3. Contribute to efficient operations
4. Promote compliance with board policy, grant & other restrictions.
Copyright 2005-2008
All Rights Reserved
Content within this web site is the sole property of
The Silver Star Families of America
"All photos and letters sent to the SSFOA become the property of the organization to be used in any way we deem appropriate."
SSFOA reserves the right to conduct the day to day business of the organization as they deem appropriate. State Coordinators and Reps will be chosen at the discretion of
SSFOA National Headquarters.
SSFOA is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit public charity organization
Questions/Comments Pertaining To This Web site, Contact our CONTACT US
2007 990 AVAILABLE SOON
