1) "Wounded Warriors Project head Steve Nardizzi, has never served,"
2) "$375,000 that Wounded Warrior Project executive director Steven Nardizzi was personally paid in 2013"
AskNod Issues Retraction and Apology to Wounded Warriors Project
Alex Graham issues public apology to Wounded Warrior Project and All U.S. Veterans.
I think they are like any big organization that has good and bad sides. I think their hiring practices are where I have the biggest gripe.
I went through an over 12 month process to try and get a position with them and in the end it went to someone who was not a veteran and had much less experience. This was for a position that in the Jacksonville area pays in the $60-$70K a year range and they were only offering $35K but I was willing to work for less to help my fellow veterans.
I am not bitter about not getting the position, I believe everything happens for a reason and I am happy where I am.
I just think they have went from helping veterans as a main objective to where awareness is their main objective.
All nonprofits must raise money to provide the services, it's our fiduciary responsibility to be excellent stewards of those contributions - and I'm charged with doing that for our nonprofit.
http://www.projectsanctuary.us
Home page for the Project Sanctuary website
This is not to say there aren't some tremendous organizations that ensure nearly 100% of donations go directly to services. Fisher House is a tremendous example of this.
It seems' in some respects like the Medicare system, which has been defunct by the medical professionals to the point of plain outright fraud ! Just hoping this doesn't become an issue with WWP, and you'd think with all the billionaires out there funding would be of no issue so that 100 % would be viable ? Bravo Zulu to you for your service and your part in the program.
I work alongside a few in my area who strive to come close to the 100%, but I am not aware of any organization who actually can attain it without winning the lottery on a yearly basis .....
The same as people will sling trash on one side, they will on the other. I have been involved with many charities and disabled Vet support programs in the past 15 years. I have been able to help Vets get service dogs and support for those service dogs from the WWP each and every time without any issues. They are like any group, they have certain guidelines and programs they support and for the benefit of all involved, they stick to the programs.
As with any donations, charities or programs, if a person is stupid enough to just hand money away without checking where it goes, ...... like the saying goes, a fool and their money will soon be parted. That is just the truth.
Wounded Warrior Project spends 58% of donations on veterans programs
Editor's note: As part of a yearlong investigation into charities across the nation, the Tampa Bay Times and its reporting partner, the Center for Investigative Reporting, asked readers in June to suggest nonprofits for closer review. Readers responded with nearly 300 suggestions. In the coming months, the Times and CIR will examine some of those charities and share what we found.
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12842#.VCw67WddWE4
Charity Navigator Rating - Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project is a Human Services charity rated 3 of 4 stars by Charity Navigator. Located in Jacksonville, FL, it is one of 8,286 organizations rated by Charity Navigator.
http://www.guidestar.org/Home.aspx
1. 83% of income goes to its 20 different programs.
2. Steve Nardizzi's (CEO) salary is decided by the Board of Directors (all volunteers). That man developed the best not-for-profit out there. No one else even comes close. He works his butt off and so does the entire staff. If you don't believe me, try not paying your dues at your nonprofit and see what happens.
3. Everything that is done for its Alumni is free to the warrior. They truly get the five star treatment.
4. This crap about not standing for the 2nd amendment is crap. Some stupid radio station was trying to get their name out there, no comment does not mean you are against guns. I happen to know for a fact, many of the EVPs have guns. I have many guns never an issue. WWP policy is to no comment. Let their work show for itself.
5. They are there to EMPOWER warriors, not give them handouts. Handing out money does not help anyone. Putting them through a program like TRACK does. If WWP can't do something well, like emergency assistance, they partner with another organization that does it well and grant them money...like Operation Homefront.
6. I always hear I don't like them because they never even looked at my resume. I'm sorry but not every vet is going to get a job. If you want to know how they hire...read the book "Good to Great". The companies business practices follow it to a tee. They get over 2000 applicants per job. Interview process takes months...to ensure they get the right person on the bus.
7. Their VSOs are second to none. Most of them came from other organizations. When one helps you with your claim...they follow that claim all the way until it is complete. They also set up a diary so to ensure they call and give you news. We have all been there, any news on your claim even if nothing to report is good. Most of the time hang ups and errors can easily fixed by calling a VBA Coach or beating down there door....which is fully supported by the Chiefs at WWP and they are given the necessary tools.
8. The organization is only 10 years old. They are not in every state. They try to do things all over but areas get missed. They are growing give them time.
Time to get off my soapbox. I was able to personally help 100s of warriors and get many of them off the streets. You have any questions feel free to message me, I would be happy to answer whatever.
I personally support The Fallen Outdoors.
Because our brain naturally tries to "fill in the blanks" based on previous experiences, a lot of false assumptions can happen. The more information that we have, the better context we have.