National Resource Directory Participation Policy

The National Resource Directory (NRD) provides access to links to services and resources that support Service Members, Veterans, families and caregivers. The NRD lists resources from federal, state and local government websites, as well as those of non-profit organizations and educational institutions.

• The NRD has standardized criteria for organizations, agencies and programs to participate in the NRD. These criteria ensure that the organizations, agencies or programs listed in the NRD address the needs of Service Members, Veterans, families and caregivers.
• These criteria are uniformly applied and published so that the public is aware of the scope and limitations of the NRD.
• The organizations, agencies or programs listed on the NRD are reviewed regularly to ensure that they continue to meet the changing needs of Service Members, Veterans, families and caregivers. The criteria used to screen these organizations are included in the review.
• No product endorsements or preferential treatment is given to any organization, agency or program that is listed in the NRD.
• No payment of any kind is accepted in exchange for inclusion in the NRD.
• The NRD contains hypertext links or pointers to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links and pointers are provided for the user's convenience. The NRD does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of this outside information. Further, the inclusion of links or pointers to particular items in hypertext is not intended to reflect their importance. Moreover, the NRD does not endorse any views expressed or products or services offered on these outside sites or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
• The NRD does not link or point to any organization, agency or program that exhibits hate, bias, or discrimination.
• The NRD reserves the right to deny or remove any resource that:
  • Provides misleading information or unsubstantiated claims;
  • Appears on the annual State Department list of Foreign Terror Organizations;
  • Conflicts with the NRD's mission or violates any NRD policies.

As a federal government website, the NRD will link to federal, state, local and tribal government resources, programs and services, to include quasi-government agencies created by public sector/private sector partnerships.

The website accessed by any link should be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

All non-government organizations that want to be considered for inclusion in the NRD must be:

• Accessible and applicable to the Service Members, Veterans, families and caregivers.
• Relevant, useful and authoritative for Service Members, Veterans, families and caregivers.
• Consistent with the government's privacy and security policies for the privacy of personal information.
• Based in the U.S.

All non-government organizations also must meet the validation requirements for their category to qualify for inclusion and complete the appropriate Self-Certification Form found through the Suggest a Resource page of this website. Current categories include:

• Not for Profits
  • Charities
  • Other Not for Profits
• Educational Institutions
• Other Entities

Federal, state, local and tribal government organizations are NOT required to complete a Self-Certification Form.

Not for Profit

The following validation criteria are for agencies or programs that operate as charities and other philanthropic organizations. Organizations must meet the validation requirements for their category to qualify for inclusion in the NRD.

Charities:

• Service, assistance and support is provided to Service Members, Veterans, families and caregivers; AND
• Granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and file an annual Form 990 or 990 e-Postcard; AND
• Active tax exempt status can be confirmed with the IRS with no revocation or suspension of tax exempt status; AND
• Favorable rating was received by charity watchdog organization, such as Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance or another reputable charity watchdog site when applicable; AND
• No unresolved reports of fraudulent or dishonest conduct on the Better Business Bureau site.

Educational Institutions:

• Educational programs provided for Service Members, Veterans and their families; AND
• Listed in the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs; AND
• No unresolved reports of fraudulent or dishonest conduct on the Better Business Bureau site.

FOR NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY:

• Granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and file a Form 990; AND
• Active tax-exempt status can be confirmed by IRS with no revocation or suspension of tax-exempt status.

Other Not for Profits:

• Service, assistance or support is provided to Service Members, Veterans, families and caregivers; AND
• Registered with the IRS as a 501(c) organization and files an annual Form 990 or 990 e-Postcard; AND
• Active tax exempt status can be confirmed by IRS with no revocation or suspension of tax exempt status; AND
• No unresolved reports of fraudulent or dishonest conduct on the Better Business Bureau site; AND
• Favorable rating was received by watchdog organization (when applicable).

Other Entities

Other entities such as for-profit groups or organizations that offer services and/or support to Service Members, Veterans, families and caregivers must meet the following criteria before being included in the NRD:

• Service, assistance or support is provided to Service Members, Veterans, families and caregivers; AND
• Endorsed by, or formally recognized by and/or partnered with, a government agency as evidenced by public recognition (i.e. listed on a .gov or .mil website); AND
• Show evidence of partnership with military branch of service on the for-profit’s website AND the government or military partner’s (.gov or .mil) website; AND
• No unresolved reports of fraudulent or dishonest conduct on the Better Business Bureau site.

Organizations, agencies or individuals may recommend new resources to be added to the NRD through the Suggest a Resource page on the website. You will be taken to a page where you can enter the link address/URL, link title and link description for the new information you would like to see added to the site. You can also submit an update to a resource currently listed on the NRD. If the resource is not currently listed on the NRD, and you represent the organization that provides the resource, you will be directed to review and fill out the Self-Certification Form that best fits your organization. Once a suggestion has been submitted, the NRD staff will review the request and Self-Certification Form. If the suggested resource does not meet the above-mentioned criteria, the resource will not be added.

If you have questions regarding the NRD Participation Policy or procedures, please send an e-mail to info@nationalresourcedirectory.gov.