KOVAR FAQ

Q. What is KOVAR?

A. KOVAR is a charitable corporation established by the Virginia Knights of Columbus in 1971, dedicated to assisting Virginians with intellectual disabilities.

Q. What does “Intellectual Disabilities” mean?

A. People with intellectual disabilities (the old mental retardation) are those who have an IQ below 70, significant limitations in two or more areas of adaptive behavior (as measured by an adaptive behavior rating scale, i.e. communication, self-help skills, interpersonal skills and more), and evidence that the limitations became apparent before the age of 18.

Q. What does KOVAR do?

A. KOVAR collects donations through the volunteer efforts of the members and families of the Knights of Columbus and distributes the funds collected in the form of grants and loans to tax-exempt organizations that serve people with intellectual disabilities in Virginia.

Q. Can you give examples of organizations that receive grants from KOVAR?

A. KOVAR provides grants to organizations such as Special Olympics Virginia, Supportive workshops (ShenPaco, Central Fairfax Services, MVLE), schools and other educational facilities, Easter Seals Virginia, St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children in Norfolk, Young Life of Williamsburg, group homes, and many local ARCs and Community Service Boards throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Q. How do these organizations use grant funds?

A. Grant funds are used to purchase scholarships for Special Olympic athletes and for campers, to purchase furniture for group homes, to purchase wheelchair accessible vans, and to provide job-training opportunities, among other things.

Q. Who has received home loans past and present?

A. These have included Hope House, Shenandoah Community Residence, Pleasant View, Housing Options, VA Society for Retarded Children, Volunteers of America, Support1 Inc, and Marian Homes.

Q. Does KOVAR give only to Catholics?

A. No, KOVAR awards grants and loans to qualified organizations serving people with

Intellectual Disabilities without regard to religion, race, gender, color, creed, national origin or any criteria other than need.

Q. I know a family that has an Intellectually Disabled child. Can KOVAR help them?

A. No, KOVAR is only permitted to award grants and loans to tax-exempt organizations, rather than directly to individuals. KOVAR does work in partnership with Virginia Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. (VKCCI) which was established to help individuals in need, including people with intellectual disabilities.

Q. How much of what KOVAR collects actually reaches people with intellectual disabilities?

A. KOVAR distributes 100% of the monies collected through fund raising to organizations serving people with intellectual disabilities in grants and loans. Since its printing and other administrative expenses are paid from interest on funds awaiting disbursement, KOVAR reports that about 98% of its total annual income (collections and interest) is used for its charitable purposes.

Q. How much do KOVAR employees make annually?

A. KOVAR has no employees. Everyone assisting in the efforts to collect funds for KOVAR is a volunteer, including the Board of Directors. No one receives any salary or compensation for working for KOVAR.

Q. Has KOVAR been recognized for its work?

A. Yes, KOVAR has received the “America’s Best” award from Independent Charities of

America, recognizing it as one of the top charities in the United States.

Q. Are my contributions to KOVAR tax deductible?

A. Yes, as a charity that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue

Code, donations to KOVAR are deductible on individual income taxes to the same extent as other charitable donations.

Q. My company is interested in sponsoring KOVAR. How can that be arranged?

A. Arrangements for corporate sponsorships can be made by contacting

the Vice President of Fund Raising at vp-fundraising@kovarva.org.

Q. How can I contribute to KOVAR?

A. Donations can be made online at www.kovarva.org or by mailing a check to:

Jeffrey C. Befumo, Treasurer

KOVAR Corporation

16933 Four Seasons Drive

Dumfries, VA 22025-3619

You may also be able to contribute through your employer if you work for the Federal Government, the State of Virginia, or a company that participates in the United Way. Please view the KOVAR Web site for the applicable code numbers. Employers who provide matching funds should also send those funds to the KOVAR Treasurer.