The Bowlers to Veterans Link
The Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity based in Fairfax, Virginia. Founded in 1942 as the Bowlers Victory Legion, BVL is the bowling industry's oldest and own charity dedicated to supporting America's veterans and active-duty military personnel. The organization funds recreation therapy programs and services designed to address the emotional and physical needs of veterans, including sports, music, crafts, technology, and adaptive equipment for rehabilitation activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2M
+5.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$880K
+121.5% YoY
Grant Count
45
+15.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+91.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To brighten the lives of America's veterans and active-duty men and women through recreational and therapeutic programs and services.
BVL's primary focus areas include:
- Grants to VA hospitals, veteran centers, and state homes for recreational and therapeutic programs
- Shoes for Freedom program
- Re-Creation Performance Tours
- Heroes In Our Midst initiative
- Care. Commit. Contribute. program
- National Veterans Special Events
- Lane Kits for the Troops (portable carpet bowling lanes with rubberized bowling pins and balls sent to American soldiers overseas)
- Bowlers Salute America's Troops campaign
- BVL/VA Annual Veterans Tournament
The organization provides "extras" not funded by the government to help speed recuperation and improve morale for veterans.
Grantmaking
BVL distributes grants to VA facilities and other organizations across the country supporting veteran services. Based on the most recent financial data available:
Grant Range
** $5,050–$226,800
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
BVL's grantmaking focuses primarily on Arizona, Florida, and Illinois, though the organization operates as a national charity supporting veterans across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,201,121
- Total Revenue: $1,680,000
- Total Expenses: $1,590,000
- Total Liabilities: $94,400
- Annual Giving: $1,266,207
BVL has raised over $59 million since its founding in 1942 and currently raises more than $1 million annually. The organization is supported by fundraising events and donations from bowling associations, bowling centers, industry partners, and bowlers throughout the United States.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,201,121 | $2,090,455 | $2,168,201 |
| Revenue | $1,679,353 | $1,423,103 | $1,273,730 |
| Expenses | $1,588,992 | $1,507,372 | $841,456 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $12,302 | $10,074 | $8,788 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
178 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Board Chair: Nancy Schenk, bowling proprietor from Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Executive Director: Jessica Abel
The BVL Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA).
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN LASPINA | CHAIRMAN PART OF YEAR | 10 | — |
| KEITH HAMILTON | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| NANCY SCHENK | DIRECTOR/CHAIR PART OF YEAR | 1 | — |
| DENNIS HACKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY COLANGELO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LISA CINIELLO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISSY LEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| COREY DYKSTRA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAY BUHL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AMY ARCURI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DARLENE BAKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARY HARRAR THRU 073124 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $85,235 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
BVL announced the Salute to Veterans Campaign for the 2024-25 fiscal year
Professional bowlers Ethan Fiore, Chris Via, Haines, Johnson, and Janawicz joined BVL as Tour Advocates
BVL recognized youth for fundraising and awareness efforts
BVL Recognizes Youths For Fundraising and Awareness Efforts - Bowlers toThe organization continues to expand its partnership with the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA)
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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