Why is the Wounded Warrior Project so controversial as an organization?

Capt Byron Chen — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 15:27:07 -0500

I am conflicted on this organization. On the one hand, they are arguably the most visible organization when it comes to promoting support of veterans. But they've also garnered controversy from veterans and news organizations for misalignment of their efforts -- high overhead, turning away veterans, and stringently protecting their brand.

I've had only a couple personal experiences, and none directly with the organization.
-I am friends with a member of the board. The organization supports a wide variety of programs, and it's spending efforts come with the territory of being a large and famous entity -- money is needed to attract a top executive, staying top of mind in the public, and maintaining branding.
-Another non-profit partnered with WWP to fund one of its own programs (a work training program for vets in the local area). It seems to me that this sort of collaboration is exactly what WWP can do on a large scale since it has the money, and smaller organizations can provide more targeted efforts to support veterans in different ways.

So I want to give WWP the benefit of the doubt. I mean, who is going to take their place and do better? But then I hear all the stories of vets getting turned away, smaller non-profits being sued, and reports of money being spent negligently.

What story do you believe? What can they do better? What can a competing organization do?

http://greatnonprofits.org/orgA/wounded-warrior-project

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/wounded-warrior-project-accused-of-wasting-donation-money/

Edit:
Another article, released JAN 27, NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/us/wounded-warrior-project-spends-lavishly-on-itself-ex-employees-say.html

Edit 2 (1/28/2016):
Didn't mean for this to become a WWP bashing (judging from most of the comments), so here is what I've learned, so far. From what I gather, WWP has grown significantly because it has reinvested in doing so -- which can be a good thing. It equates to more support for veterans. It spends, slightly, more than other charities (anywhere from ~7% to ~40% of expenses don't go to program expenses, depending on your source -- please feel free to correct me if I'm off since I'm not entirely sure which numbers to go with), but that still means a significant chunk (in dollar amounts, if not percentages) goes to helping veterans. With that success draws attention. I think WWP would benefit from focusing some of it's marketing efforts on more individual support of veterans and showing veterans how WWP helps them. It would give them less flak from the veteran community.

Wounded Warrior Project nonprofit in Jacksonville, FL | Volunteer, Read Reviews, Donate |...

Volunteer, donate, read reviews for Wounded Warrior Project in Jacksonville, FL plus similar nonprofits and charities related to human services, veterans

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Jan 27 at 2016 4:19 PM

SSgt David Tedrow — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 16:19:43 -0500

I think they are being looked at a lot closer due to their spending habits and high salaries for their top staff.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jan 27 at 2016 4:21 PM

TSgt David L. — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 16:21:09 -0500

The biggest problem I have heard about them is the crazy salaries that the head folks are getting. So much for non-profit... I guess it depends on where you are on the ladder.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 27 at 2016 5:09 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:09:59 -0500

Capt Byron Chen, I would urge anyone to closely scrutinize any charitable organization via Charity Navigator (or other such rating agencies) before making any financial commitments. This agency indicates that in 2014, only 59.9% of the monies received [(by WWP)-edit for clarification] were used for program expenses (defined as the percent of the charity’s total expenses spent on the programs and services it delivers).

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

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Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator, provides free ratings of the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of thousands of charities. We are the individual donor's first source for unbiased news and information on philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, wise giving, donating money, charitable donations, and charity ratings.

Response by SSG Karl Fowler made Jan 27 at 2016 5:41 PM

SSG Karl Fowler — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:41:47 -0500

glad that they are looking into this ,I also have heard also that they have turned vet's away, and the high salary the upper executives are getting

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 27 at 2016 6:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:38:34 -0500

Its simple, they want to rake in money inefficiently to spend it inefficiently.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jan 27 at 2016 7:01 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:01:15 -0500

Aside from the other issues mentioned here by others, they have also been very aggressive in taking legal action against other veterans NFP organizations. They have targeted any NFPs who they think are using the phrase "wounded warrior" and/or a logo even remotely looking like a silhouette of soldiers.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/04/wounded-warrior-charity-unleashes-hell-on-other-veteran-groups.html

‘Wounded Warrior’ Charity Unleashes Hell—On Other Veteran Groups

What happens when a nonprofit that was started to help veterans becomes the neighborhood bully?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 7:02 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:02:22 -0500

To me it was the select Soldiers with no combat deployments bragging in the chow line how they malingered out of their deployment and got to spend the next 18 months playing x-box in their rooms all day (Fort Gordon WTU). Reminded me of the private beating scene in the movie Patton. Sad they were in formation right next to the purple heart recipients.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 7:36 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:36:17 -0500

The Salvation Army
Commissioner, Todd Bassett receives a small salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization.
96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Military Order of Purple Hearts
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Vietnam Veterans Association
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

Make a Wish: For children's last wishes.
100% goes to funding trips or special wishes for a dying child.

St. Jude Research Hospital
100% goes towards funding and helping Children with Cancer who have no insurance and can not afford to pay.

Ronald McDonald Houses
All monies go to running the houses for parents who have critical Children in the hospital.
100% goes to housing, and feeding the families.

Lions Club International
100% OF DONATIONS GO TO HELP THE BLIND, BUY HEARING AIDES, SUPPORT MEDICAL MISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD. THEIR LATEST UNDERTAKING IS MEASLES VACCINATIONS (ONLY $1.00 PER SHOT).

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 7:52 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:52:28 -0500

Worth a read...

http://controversialtimes.com/news/triple-amputee-marines-wife-blasts-wounded-warrior-project-in-epic-viral-post/

Wife of Triple Amputee Marine Gets Package From Wounded Warrior. Here's Why She’s Pissed.

The wife of a triple-amputee Marine received a package from the Wounded Warrior Project in the mail. The contents of that package led to a social media rant that has gone viral. Courtney Leigh Schumacher's post reads: Dear Wounded Warrior Project, Please stop sending us merchandise.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 27 at 2016 9:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 21:14:37 -0500

Notice the CEO brags how low his salary compared to the revenue, but he sure does not brag about the inefficiency of his product and services, which should be primary objective of existing.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Jan 27 at 2016 9:58 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 21:58:41 -0500

It's stinky!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 10:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 10:46:26 -0500

People getting rich. It's that simple. I don't have anything to do with this organization. I also don't wear the Under Armour clothes with the logo either.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jan 28 at 2016 10:49 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 10:49:09 -0500

They've lost their way. It's not about helping vets any more; it's about data and $$...

Response by SGT Mark Rhodes made Jan 28 at 2016 11:17 AM

SGT Mark Rhodes — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 11:17:12 -0500

I asked my self a couple of questions when I first heard about them I was excited for what they wanted to do and could do then the first question truely hit me NON-PROFIT I looked this up "economic terms, a nonprofit organization uses its surplus revenues to further achieve its purpose or mission, rather than distributing its surplus income to the organization's shareholders (or equivalents) as profit or dividend" Wikipedia. Why does a non profit company have so much overhead I think you said the answer Capt Byron Chen "money is needed to attract a top executive" and I guarantee he/she are not working for free so where does this money come from? It comes from suckers like me who rushed out to donate to them only once thank god to help pay for that top executive. Don't get me wrong they have a great name and concept if it was truly a non profit company and did what they said they would do and not turn away our vets especially the ones who really need it the most. That's just my opinion take it for what its worth but research them more and you get more filth that the dirty dozen.

Response by LTC Wayne Dandridge made Jan 28 at 2016 12:23 PM

LTC Wayne Dandridge — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 12:23:19 -0500

Just check out how it is rated compared to other charities on the various charity rating sites. Overhead is quite high. Executives make large salaries, but on the other had they do many great things. Other much higher rated patriotic charities include Fisher House, Semper Fi Fund, and you can give directly to the VA Hospital near you and the Army and USMC Wounded Warrior regiments ---- where all the funds go to the troops and their families.

Response by SGT Ronald Bacon made Jan 28 at 2016 12:40 PM

SGT Ronald Bacon — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 12:40:56 -0500

In my mind I feel non profit should be just that, non profit. Getting rich on a board in the name of something so great is wrong. I am not sure if this started out or if something went wrong after it starting steaming down the road but the term non profit should be reviewed and set higher standards. In the case of Wounded Warrior where they accept money to help soldiers in need no less that 75% of that money has to go to programs directly related to helping them. not 6 figure paychecks or 7 figure buildings.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jan 28 at 2016 1:18 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:18:32 -0500

"... On the one hand, they are arguably the most visible organization when it comes to promoting support of veterans..."
Hmmm, I think that they are the most visible when it comes to promoting themselves. My issue is that they seem to be more interested in being WWP instead of actually helping Veterans, they spent almost more on conferences ($26 million) last year as they did on their #1 project as an organization. They have 500 employees, seems that they are more interested in becoming a for profit corporation instead of a non-profit and I certainly hear more from Veterans they don't help instead of the ones they do.

Response by COL David Turk made Jan 28 at 2016 9:10 PM

COL David Turk — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 21:10:27 -0500

According to the NCO who decided to speak up, the majority of the "programs" run by the organization were "feel good" programs rather than "repair" programs; programs that help the vet to move forward, be it physical, mental, or both.
I have not personally seen any analysis of the programs. While parties for vets are nice, the significant portion should be, to get the vets on track to rejoin society.

Response by Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce made Jan 29 at 2016 12:08 AM

Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 00:08:54 -0500

For years I was getting calls from police and fire fraternal organizations only to find out they were scams. I'm a breast cancer survivor and won't give a dime to Susan G Koman because nine cents would go to the executives. People hate liars and thieves.

Response by SPC Tanya Cummings Boozer made Jan 29 at 2016 2:56 AM

SPC Tanya Cummings Boozer — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 02:56:42 -0500

What WWP is now is NOT what it started out to be. The reason it's founder left is because of the changes the board was making which were against his vision of the organization. Not only do they not help ALL era veterans, they only help those who have served since September 11, 2001, but there are many who have served since 2001 they have turned away as well, without directing them to any other help anywhere else.
I and a handful of other veterans did an extensive investigation into them 3 years ago and found this out as well as where the money really goes. Here is the latest available Form 990, which shows where the money went in 2013. http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments//2014/202/370/2 [login to see] 34-0b5a2854-9.pdf (This website it the best place to check out how non-profit organizations are really operating.)
One thing that needs to be taken into account is not just the top employees's direct salaries, but other compensation and benefits as well. Then you also have the multi-million dollar facility in Florida and the other lavish buildings in other states, lavish trips (for meetings of course), the salaries of all employees, the trips and other bonuses they give their "volunteers" on a monthly basis, the suing of smaller organizations to the point of those orgs having to fold, individual law suits, etc. I have a Vietnam War veteran friend who has a very popular blog that helps veterans with information who was threatened with a lawsuit if he did not take down a blog he wrote about WWP a couple of years ago, a blog that only had facts that he backed up with proof. This veteran could not afford a lawsuit so he not only had to take down the blog post but had to post an apology to WWP!
Here are the latest news stories of how this organization really treats veterans, the very veterans they say they help! http://www.news4jax.com/news/wounded-warrior-project-suing-2-injured-veterans

http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jan/28/wounded-warrior-project-demands-cbs-news-retract-a/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/wounded-warrior-project-investigation-veterans-charity-accused-of-no-follow-up/

I have friends who have worked as volunteers for WWP who quit after finding out what is really going on behind the scenes there.

It's only a matter of time, I hope, before WWP is forced to either do right by veterans or close down and hopefully the leaders of the organization will be tried for fraud.

There are many good veteran organizations out there, you just have do some research and check them out.

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Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 6:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 18:45:58 -0500

http://www.news4jax.com/news/wounded-warrior-project-suing-2-injured-veterans
It's because of things like this. Suing it's vet former employees, 1.4 million spent in legal fees in a year, another veteran organization that had to pay them close to a million dollars for having wounded warrior in their name even though the other foundation was around longer.
It can be said that this is par for normal mega-corporations, but it doesn't represent us well as veterans.

Wounded Warrior Project suing 2 injured veterans

The Wounded Warrior Project is coming under fire for questionable spending and now only News4Jax uncovers more. Two lawsuits spell out how the charity is suing two wounded veterans it’s already put out of a job. And, other smaller veteran service organizations are now saying they've been threatened, too.

Response by SGT(P) Jennifer Brande made Feb 4 at 2016 1:56 PM

SGT(P) Jennifer Brande — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:56:29 -0500

The Wounded Warrior Project deserves to be outed as the scam that they are for several reasons which I will detail here:

First a bit of background on me: I was deployed in 2009-2010 and was in a Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) from 2010 until my medical retirement in 2012 as an E5.

During the time that I was assigned to the WTU the Wounded Warrior Project would routinely come to our formations and reach out to us with offers to come to events on their behalf, as they would call it to show their thanks for our service and sacrifice. Routinely, they were looking for us to wear WWP apparel (which we would almost always have to buy on our own) A lot of times if you signed up to attend an event that was your appointed place of duty for the day. As a female, non amputee soldier if I was going to an event, I was routinely moved to the back of a group for photos of us in favor of the amputees (especially male amputees) being in the forefront of every image and of course preference for the best spot for photos was those who were wearing their branded items.

Once I saw that the invitations to events stopped coming to me, I went to their website and saw events they had coming up but they were looking for male and/or amputee wounded warriors for their "events" since I did not fit either category I had no opportunity to go to these events unless I coughed up money to wear their gear and crash these events, potentially giving me the ability to connect with people who may be able to help me in my employment situation. I was never going to stoop that low and was so thoroughly disgusted with their ad's on TV and in print showing only the amputees and those they felt would generate the most publicity for them that I said I was done forever with them.

Secondly, once I was in the process to get retired I was a big mess because I didn't want to get out and due to circumstances out of my control my civilian job no longer existed when I was getting out. The WWP would call me once a year on my birthday to see if I needed anything or assistance. This was less than 4 months after I was retired and had a temporary job that was not going to be extended. I asked them if there was anything they could do to help me secure meaningful full time employment and they informed me that they could not find a single job for me in any area unless I was willing to move to Florida and even then they were trying to offer me entry level jobs due to my not having a bachelor's degree.

As I started to do more research about them and saw their abysmal track record and how much money they spent on salaries and staff and giveaways I was even more disgusted and asked them to remove my name from their rolls, which of course they didn't do. They want to show consistent growth and how many people they "claim" to help but in reality it is a crock of lies.

They only want to promote those who generate the most sympathy and not those with invisible injuries like us. If they truly wanted to help they could totally get more help to most people who qualify for their services and not spend it on themselves.

Without any thanks or gratitude at all from anyone, I was able to go out and fight to get my dream job and have the ability to now speak out against phony organizations like the WWP.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2018 10:25 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 10:25:02 -0400

Why controversial? They are as bad as the people that call you at home and ask for money for police and firemen funds. Minimal amount of money goes to vets. I don’t give a dime to WWP. Read too many articles and most all always state they didn’t return calls or refused to comment.

Response by SrA Jerry Johnson made Nov 7 at 2019 7:59 AM

SrA Jerry Johnson — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 07:59:41 -0500

Well I myself have had nothing but positive experiances with the WWP. I am an active member with them. They have helpped me turn my life around from where i was 3 years ago.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2022 1:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 13:15:42 -0400

Tell me the salary of the CEO...