NAVSAR is organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin as a non-profit organization for the benefit of volunteer search and rescue teams across the United States.
NAVSAR was founded on several principles to fill the needs of our nation's volunteer search and rescue teams;
-
A nationwide network of fundraising to support volunteer rescue team operations.
-
To provide financial aid for equipment, education, and training of volunteer SAR personnel.
-
Provide group buying discounts for commonly used equipment and supplies.
-
A central point of contact for government agencies to locate highly trained volunteer resources. (NAVSAR is not a supervisory or governing authority and only acts as a means to connect resources with agency needs.)
The Association will be lead by a Board of Directors, elected by the membership, and committees of members established to advise the Board on various issues.
Unlike many non-profit organizations, NAVSAR intends to support it's administrative costs with revenue from product sales and membership dues. Surplus revenue will be provided to SAR teams in the forms of free or reduced cost equipment, education, and training financial aid. This will ensure that 100% of money received from grants, donations, and sponsorships goes to volunteer SAR organizations and is not reduced by administrative deductions. NAVSAR may also support it's administrative expenses with grants specifically obtained for that purpose. Member organization will also have access to grant writers to research and submit grants on behalf of the member organization to local charitable foundations for funding.
Grants provided to volunteer SAR organizations will be based on need and benefit to the communities they serve. In order to qualify for education/training funding or equipment, an organization must be 100% volunteer and provide service to their communities without charge. Organizations will provide basic financial and organization information, updated yearly, and will need only to submit a simplified application for funding of equipment, training, or education.