Posted by Tina
Recent reports that Wounded Warriors Project spends donor money on “lavish” perks is being challenged by the organizations. The Washington Times reports on statements made by the Wounded Warrior Project:
“We are outraged to see that CBS chose to run the story despite our ongoing efforts to set the record straight,” WWP said in an open letter posted Wednesday on Facebook. “We can only deduce that CBS willfully set aside the information WWP provided in favor of the false statements made by a handful of former, disgruntled employees.” …
… “Based on our most recent independently audited financial statements, 80.6% of total expenditures went to provide programs and services for wounded service members, their caregivers, and families,” the group’s statement said, adding that “CBS falsely reported our conference and meeting expenses.”
“94% of the figure CBS reported as conference and meetings for staff was actually a program expense for warriors and their families to participate in services such as mental health programming,” it continued.
“The annual training conference costs an average of $1,500 per person, which includes all expenses for travel, meals, accommodations, and materials for four days. During WWP’s annual training session, WWP conducts strategic planning and program development to ensure we are operating effectively as an organization. No alcohol is purchased by the organization at the training,” their statement said.
Lastly, WWP took issue with a quote by Army Staff Sgt. Erick Millette, who recently quit as a public speaker with WWP. He told CBS News that the charity does a poor job of handling individual cases and following up with vets.
” ‘We “The annual training conference costs an average of $1,500 per person, which includes all expenses for travel, meals, accommodations, and materials for four days. During WWP’s annual training session, WWP conducts strategic planning and program development to ensure we are operating effectively as an organization. No alcohol is purchased by the organization at the training,” their statement said.
Lastly, WWP took issue with a quote by Army Staff Sgt. Erick Millette, who recently quit as a public speaker with WWP. He told CBS News that the charity does a poor job of handling individual cases and following up with vets.
” ‘We don’t call warriors. Warriors call us,’ ” he recalled his superiors telling him.
“TRUTH: Warriors and caregivers are continuously contacted by WWP via multiple channels including in-person, weekly emails, and regular phone calls,” WWP wrote in response. “In addition to these regular communications, in 2015, WWP staff members conducted 76,942 documented, outbound wellness checks and outreach calls to warriors and caregivers.”
“We demand that CBS immediately correct the record, issue a retraction of the false statements, and issue an apology to the public and the tens of thousands of wounded veterans and their families who have been offended by these false statements. We expect your prompt attention to this urgent matter,” the statement concluded.
CBS has a habit of creating false news stories. (Is it Hillary or Bernie who wants/needs the veteran votes?)
CBS has a history of some of their stories being not exactly the truth. However, WWP has a history of expenditures on things other than our Vets. And those TV ads are pretty expensive . . . . .
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/01/31/charity-watchdog-reportedly-places-wounded-warrior-project-on-its-watch-list.html
Interesting to also note that Charity Navigator has also place the Clinton Foundation on their watch list as well . . . . .
The Clinton Foundation is getting, and deserves, scrutiny. Reports indicate only 10%-15% of their donations have gone to charitable work. And then there’s that little “racketeering” problem.
It’s sad that we have come to a place where it’s difficult to trust anything we read. It doesn’t surprise me that WWP would be placed an a “watch list” after complaints have been made. There are statements that deserve some scrutiny and thought.
WWP claims an independent auditor found 80.6% of donations went directly to care for veterans and their families. 80% isn’t the best record but when it’s considered that they compete with faith based charities that rely on a lot of volunteer help and they are a relatively new organization requiring more training and coordination, the figure might fall within a reasonable range.
WWP claims that 94% of the figure cited as having been spent on “lavish” conferences were actually “program expenses” for the “warriors and their families.” I find this somewhat credible since I’ve seen footage of warriors and their families at events and since it makes sense to give families an opportunity to share with others who have so much in common.
The “lavish conferences” claim was embellished by examples that might not be all that lavish but could sound extravagant: He “rappelled down the side of a building;” he came in “on a Segway;” “he’s come in on a horse…”
My response is, “So?” Were these examples to inspire warriors about what might be possible to them and help them to overcome their injuries? Learning to snow ski and playing basketball are activities used to rehab paraplegics.
I don’t know what is up with the so-called “disgruntled” ex-employees. I do know people will do and say just about anything these days.
As far as CBS is concerned., they do have a history of deceptive political reporting. Dan Rather was forced to resign and others were fired because the evidence that he fabricated information to accuse GWB was proved to be fraudulent. CBS admitted to running a false Benghazi story acquired from a 60 Minutes source. CBS fired Connie Chung for attempting to deceitfully persuade Newt Gingrich’s mother to say something negative on tape in an interview.
I would like to have been given an idea of how much of a return is gained for the money spent on promotion and advertising. If they make more money tospend on warriors through advertising isn’t it worth the expenditure? The organization can’t help vets if nobody’s ever heard of them. This is another area where an organization like Salvation Army has an edge. They are a well known and reliable charity so advertising isn’t as necessary.
I would hope that WWP will take this negative story and use it as incentive to tighten their expenditures and to issue a yearly audited report to stave off unfair accusations. The veterans they serve should benefit the most from their efforts; negative stories don’t make that job easier.
So was this sabotage or a legitimate complaint?
Not sure what’s in it for CBS for reporting bogus story? Without taking a side here, its been reported that whistler blowers started the investigation because they alleged the lavish spending and misuse of donations.
The amount spent on veterans is a public record. According to a charity search record, the Executive Director of Wounded Warrior takes $473,015 in salary ea year. Seems too high and so does the $15 million that goes to staff. 248M was listed as expenses, seems high when 342M was contributed. (2014)
A 2012 report says 61% spent on vets, which seems low compared to other charities. Source: http://ivn.us/2014/04/22/controversy-surrounds-veterans-charity-white-house-connections/
Newsflash the Media is corrupt. 6 people own it. It is corporate state news. They report nothing anymore.
Look at Snyder in MI, very little reporting.
If you believe Mainstream media than you are not finding out the truth.
Jack you’re right to look at the expense side of the ledger.
I agree the Exec Directer salary seems high. The other salary expense might not be. It depends. Are some of the staff professional rehab people? Does WWP pay for healthcare? WWP does seem to offer services beyond…outings for the families, help with special housing/vehicle solutions for amputees and the disabled. I would have to know how it’s all structured before making the determination that it’s a poorly run charity. Not many people have ever actually worked on a budget…you’d probably be surprised at the expense figure for employees at my little operation (without the CEO’s included). Whistle blowers might have legitimate gripes, on the other hand they might just not fully understand.
One way or another it’s worth a close look. I just hate to see any organization that helps our vets hurt if indeed they are doing good work.
Charities are big business and the better the cause the better the business. And the more opportunity there is for the managers to make a handsome living running one.
These folks are professionals. They are highly trained and educated to run big charties. Its a career for almost all of them and they may be valuable assets that redistribute money to many needy people. Personally, I think there’s something unseemly about championing a cause for the money, but I acknowledge they still do serve a worthy purpose.
I would like to see a charity, any charity, keep it’s overhead to under 10%. In the case of wounded warriors their overhead seems high. I keep saying “seems high” because this is a moving target, it all depends on how they raise the money and costs involved. So, I’m far from saying they’re no good or unworthy to donate too, but I am saying the allegations raised by their own people (whistle blowers) warrant a closer look at how they spend the money. For the most part what I have found on the net says the Wounded Warriors Project are within the bounds of acceptable expenditures based on charities run world wide. However, they are far from the best. Seems like they could do a little pruning of that overhead without compromising the help they provide to veterans. More to follow on this as it becomes known.
Why not look into the background of Mr. Millette, and see the inconsistencies in his story, from surviving 9 IED Blasts, to 17, back to 9. Also, the details of how he “Quit” WWP, (Sexual Harrassment, excessive drinking at Events), are key as to why he may be a little disgruntled.