Wounded Warrior Project keeps 40%

[RblDiver]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/us/wounded-warrior-project-spends-lavishly-on-itself-ex-employees-say.html?_r=0

Short version, investigations say that Wounded Warrior only gives out $0.60 for every dollar they take in to vets, meaning they keep $0.40. So, they raised $225 million, meaning they spent $135 on vets, and kept the other 90.

Sounds like they're taking very good care of themselves, rather than vets. Won't be sending any money their way now.

[Irving]

What is the average for this kind of charity?

[fitz19d]

Kinda why ive mostly given over to being charitable to those I meet rather than an org who has a pledge marketing budget that's a quarter of donations.

[crays]

To mimic what HBAR said:
Unfortunately, even the most well intentioned charities seem to fall into the "administrative costs/(perks)" trap eventually.
Everyone deserves their cut for doing good. Just ask them.
When was the last time you saw the director/chairman/whatever of a charitable organization show up to a fundraiser in an off-the-rack suit?

Philanthropy is, ironically, big business.

[Roger Ronas]

Rather give my charity dollars to a person that I see in a store or on the street.

[Jamnanc]

I've also found many charities that have been set up for short term recovery projects that attain their goal and continue to operate. It's like they become a living thing that needs to be kept going.

[Irving]

I've also found many charities that have been set up for short term recovery projects that attain their goal and continue to operate. It's like they become a living thing that needs to be kept going.

I've met people that worked for places that call people asking for donations to fight political causes that ended in court years ago.

[Fromk]

My mom ran into that situation a few years ago. After she had to take an early retirement due to medical reasons she started putting her time into charities. After a while she worked her way up far enough to see how wasteful many of them are first hand. She quit soon after . Now she is donating her time in the local community where she knows 100% of what she does is worth while.

I've also got a neighbor who's got a hell of a story involving Wounded Warrior.

It's a little sad how little I was surprised by this news today. Thanks to all of you who served. You deserve better.

[Scanker19]

i have a cup with a sign that I put out at flea markets that reads "help support disabled veteran." And people call that "unethical." The nerve...

[Honey Badger282.8]

Many active duty folks have known about this for a while now. It was something that was always reiterated at the annual CFC drive (combined federal campaign is the DOD charity drive).

[davsel]

It's been known for a while, but often people who point it out get bashed for not supporting DVs.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3419597/Wounded-Warrior-Project-accused-wasting-donor-money-parties.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3419597/Wounded-Warrior-Project-accused-wasting-donor-money-parties.html)

The Wounded Warrior Project, the nation's most recognizable veteran's charity, has been accused by dozens of former employers of wasting donor money on parties and events instead of recovery programs for veterans. Former employees of the Wounded Warrior Project have spoken out about their concern that the charity is straying from its mission.

Many of the former staffers said the organization has become more focused on raising money than serving wounded veterans, according to a CBS News investigation.

[Ah Pook]

I have seen the same type threads on the WWP every year for the last three years. No surprise.

There are local nonprofits that I would/have gladly send money to, that actually help vets.

[Aloha_Shooter]

WWP helps vets. It just seems they help themselves (a LOT) while doing so. I was very disappointed but not terribly surprised when this kind of information surfaced. It's always worth checking out who you give your money to and making sure it's spent the way you want.

[BPTactical]

Add this to their stance on veterans owning firearms.

[ColoradoTJ]

My organization that employs me is big into giving back to the community and United Way. I remember my first year working here and our bosses wanted 100% participation. I remember when the United Way rep pulled up in a 7 series BMW car. We all listened to her presentation and I kindly gave the direct deposit slip back to her (and so did most of the employees). She looked shocked and was probably told that full participation would be happening. When you come to me asking for money, don't drive a 3x nicer car than what most people have in the parking lot (all in our parking lot that day).

That night I learned that my other half used to work for United Way for about 6 months before she quit. The waste was just crazy, and most of the management drove luxury cars. That is a small problem for me. I really do not care if you have a nice car or how one spends their personal money, but damn...drive a modest car when begging for money.

I do like helping out with community projects and those sorts of things (painting houses, building, clean up...etc). One of the coolest ones I ever did was this club that restored old trolley cars. They were very appreciative of all our help. We installed 12 poles for their cars electricity. Another one was we would take all the bucket trucks up to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and hang all the Christmas lights and then remove them a couple months later. That was always a good time.

[Irving]

While we're on the subject, I'll give blood to Bonfils again when I can write it off on my taxes.

[Skip]

This is why I switched to the Semper Fi Fund back in 2011.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=11708#.VqovQLLruUk


I'm not sure if there is something similar for Army and Air Force, but check around.

WW is run by a bunch of Liberal politicians but not all charities are. Had a similar experience with a Christian aid organization/charity that I gave to for years. Found another one that isn't staffed by greedy Libtards.

[Bmac]

What is the average for this kind of charity?


That's the question I would like answered. Non-profit doesn't mean everyone donates time and resources, but a 60/40 split seems a bit exsessive.

[JohnnyEgo]

This was the thing I hated most about the Corps. The forced participation in the combined federal campaign united way crap. We were forced to give to organizations we wouldnt want our money to go to. I remember when I finally told them no. Needless to say NO doesnt go over well in the military. Im pretty sure after the fall out, someone up the chain gave money in my name. It should be illegal to strong arm your subordinates. (im sure it is)

alot of these organizations support charities that I would not want my money going to.

Same situation here. I stopped giving to the United Way when they stopped supporting the Boy Scouts in the mid 90s. Did not make my command very happy that I wouldn't participate. My current employer used to want 100% participation as well, and would tell our line workers that they would get things like pizza parties for 100% participation. On one occasion when it was made clear to me that I was the only person holding my unit back from a 'pizza party' for not donating to the United Way, I responded by ordering 20 pizzas from Dominos and having them delivered to our floor. I was not highly thought of that year, but I was never again strong-armed into making a donation.

Curiously enough, my employer has backed off of the United Way push considerably over the last eight years or so. I don't remember our last pledge drive or the last time anyone was asked to be a 'United Way Liaison'. I think the company just makes a donation on behalf of the workers now, instead of soliciting individual contributions. They now have a much better program where they will match your individual giving to a legally recognized charity of your choice. Which would not be Wounded Warriors for me.

[StagLefty]

Thanks for the link HBAR , happy to see the Denver Rescue Mission does a 79% return to the homeless. Plus they do a lot to of long term to help people get back on their feet.
They even said in one of their news letters that corner handouts do not help the problem.

[vossman]

Add this to their stance on veterans owning firearms.

This. They can go pound sand.

[Erni]

I knew wwf was crap when they threatened to sue a gun maker for making wwf branded guns for a fundraiser. Wish I could find the story now to post here.

[Irving]

Same situation here. I stopped giving to the United Way when they stopped supporting the Boy Scouts in the mid 90s. Did not make my command very happy that I wouldn't participate. My current employer used to want 100% participation as well, and would tell our line workers that they would get things like pizza parties for 100% participation. On one occasion when it was made clear to me that I was the only person holding my unit back from a 'pizza party' for not donating to the United Way, I responded by ordering 20 pizzas from Dominos and having them delivered to our floor. I was not highly thought of that year, but I was never again strong-armed into making a donation.

Curiously enough, my employer has backed off of the United Way push considerably over the last eight years or so. I don't remember our last pledge drive or the last time anyone was asked to be a 'United Way Liaison'. I think the company just makes a donation on behalf of the workers now, instead of soliciting individual contributions. They now have a much better program where they will match your individual giving to a legally recognized charity of your choice. Which would not be Wounded Warriors for me.

My early experience in the same field was very similar. My last employer did the matching as you described. Much better program.

[RblDiver]

What is the average for this kind of charity?
Don't know the average, but I know there were a couple others mentioned in the article that give like 95-97% back. I've heard Salvation Army (not the same "business" per say but using as a charity example) is very good.

[Great-Kazoo]

Rather give my charity dollars to a person that I see in a store or on the street.

If one can hold a sign asking for help. They can twirl a NEW HOMES> THAT WAY signa nd get paid for it. I will not give anything to those begging.


Don't know the average, but I know there were a couple others mentioned in the article that give like 95-97% back. I've heard Salvation Army (not the same "business" per say but using as a charity example) is very good.

IIRC Step 13 in denver shares the wealth. When we can, food and clothing items are donated to .orgs / charities. They can't sueeze admin salary out of those items.

I'm involved with a non-profit, those involved don't keep anything. Everything donated is used for building, education, food and other supplies. Their fuel, lodging and food is all out of pocket. No salary is asked or paid. Granted it's a 3-4 person operation.

[Bailey Guns]

Most of our giving goes directly to local animal shelters. Virtually 100% goes to animal care one way or the other. I guess I just like dogs more than people. Most of our "people" donations are in the form of clothing and other goods to local community charities.

[Bentsight]

First heard about the WWP's administrative fees a few years ago and started supporting HAVA (Honored American Vets Afield) instead.
http://www.honoredveterans.org/

[ColoradoTJ]

If one can hold a sign asking for help. They can twirl a NEW HOMES> THAT WAY signa nd get paid for it. I will not give anything to those begging.
.

AMEN!!!!!! You probably don't come down to Colorado Springs much, but it seems like there is a panhandler on every street corner, every grocery store parking lot, Walmart and Target....my Lord. Some of them are getting pretty aggressive.

I have offered 17-25.00 per hour to plenty of these fools to do landscaping work for me. I am glad they never took me up on that considering how stupid that would actually be.

[CHA-LEE]

In the practical shooting sports WWP was promoted a lot and donations were heavily pushed and received. Then when WWP found out that the funds were coming from Competition Shooting events they refused the donations because "Evil Guns" were involved. A charity for wounded warriors that is anti-gun is absolutely retarded to me. Thus why I avoid it like the plague any more.

[Honey Badger282.8]

Most of our giving goes directly to local animal shelters. Virtually 100% goes to animal care one way or the other. I guess I just like dogs more than people. Most of our "people" donations are in the form of clothing and other goods to local community charities.

Look into the Warrior Dog Foundation. Some of the dogs that they rehabilitate and care for are nothing short of amazing.

[Aloha_Shooter]

At least in the Air Force, CFC goals were changed from participation to contact. I adamantly stopped supporting CFC in the mid 90s but gave double (or more) when the Air Force Assistance Fund requests came out. The idea of CFC was attractive when it started because it made donations easy but I don't think government employees should be spending their paid hours raising funds for private organizations and the concept of CFC is antiquated and moribund in the Internet era. Any non-profit or charity worth its while can put up GoFundMe pages or start something on Indiegogo or Kickstarter.

I prefer to give directly to the organizations I want to support rather than have that money washed through federal accountants.

[Guylee]

I've heard a few bad stories about WW. A lot of people are pretty poopy with them.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

I'm actually shocked WWP gives that much! Seems up from the number I heard last year.


The whole executive pay thing doesn't rile me. You want top quality managing massive funds. At the same time, the 7-series for the person actually out pounding the pavement is a bit of an eye-roller, depending.
I use that charitynavigator page myself. You'll find some surprising things on there. Never gave a cent to WWP or United Way, FWIW. Denver Rescue Mission is good, but I mostly like to give to my church or various cancer orgs. :)

[tmjohnson]

I agree with Roger Ronas. I'll give my money to some soldier at the base.

[Aloha_Shooter]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/03/10/wounded-warrior-projects-top-execs-reportedly-fired-amid-lavish-spending-scandal.html?intcmp=hpbt1


The two top executives of the Wounded Warrior Project — among the largest veterans charities in the country — were fired Thursday after an investigation into accusations of lavish spending on parties, hotel and travel,

Wounded Warrior Project's CEO, Steven Nardizzi, and COO, Al Giordano, were fired by the charity's board amid criticisms about how it spends more than $800 million raised in donations in the past four years

About damned time.

[hatidua]

I guess I just like dogs more than people.

+1

[Dlesh123]

Wife likes to give to humane society, I like Orbis International, gets some of the highest scores for efficiency and transparency, helps kids worldwide see again or keeps them from loosing their sight. Also kind of neat that they put their surgical suites in a DC-10 and fly it all around the world.

[Guylee]

Hopefully they can get it turned around and start providing for vets the way everyone thought they did. I have a feeling they'll be sucking for donations for a while because of the stigma, though.

[bellavite1]

Can anybody provide info on Rolling Thunder?
We have been donating every month for years, but after reading this I am starting to wonder...
They are unrated under that charity linky thinghy...

[Skip]

Hopefully they can get it turned around and start providing for vets the way everyone thought they did. I have a feeling they'll be sucking for donations for a while because of the stigma, though.

I wonder that too. Not sure I would ever trust them and there are too many other good orgs out there.