I just came across this article: http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/12/08/wounded-warriors-project-a-legal-scam/
It talks about how everything they do is contracted out and the officers each have a salary of 100k - 300k. It also talks about how out of all the funds that are donated only ~10% reach the wounded warriors.
This really bothers me because I know my wife and I have done fundraisers and donated to the WWP. Does this affect how you will donate? or where you will donate? Do you actually research the non-profits that you donate to?
I know I dont, but this will definitely make me start.
As we are coming to find out, wounded Vets are big money. Considering I'm 146% disabled, I'm trying to figure out how to tap into this.
Wounded Warriors
Non Profit Organizations
Scam
Posted >1 y ago
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I just came across this article: http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/12/08/wounded-warriors-project-a-legal-scam/
It talks about how everything they do is contracted out and the officers each have a salary of 100k - 300k. It also talks about how out of all the funds that are donated only ~10% reach the wounded warriors.
This really bothers me because I know my wife and I have done fundraisers and donated to the WWP. Does this affect how you will donate? or where you will donate? Do you actually research the non-profits that you donate to?
I know I dont, but this will definitely make me start.
As we are coming to find out, wounded Vets are big money. Considering I'm 146% disabled, I'm trying to figure out how to tap into this.
Responses: 110
COL Charles Williams, according to Charity Navigator, a measly 57.7% of the funds received go toward the services and programs that WWP delivers. Compared to charities performing similar type work, WWP's overall score was 86.11, compared to others performing well into the 90s. These were based on upon statistics for the fiscal year ending 30SEP13. You may wish to review these statistics yourself for a more complete understanding.
I agree with CDR (Join to see). It seems as though WWP has lost their way.
SSG Bryan McNally
I agree with CDR (Join to see). It seems as though WWP has lost their way.
SSG Bryan McNally
COL Charles Williams
Sounds like Girl Scouts... 10% of sales go to the troop... and 90% to the HQ...
This seems to be par for the course concerning 'charities'. Check out the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the fuckery her company embarks upon.
"In addition to raising millions of dollars a year for breast cancer research, fundraising giant Susan G. Komen for the Cure has a lesser-known mission that eats up donor funds: patrolling the waters for other charities and events around the country that use any variation of "for the cure" in their names.
So far, Komen has identified and filed legal trademark oppositions against more than a hundred of these Mom and Pop charities, including Kites for a Cure, Par for The Cure, Surfing for a Cure and Cupcakes for a Cure--and many of the organizations are too small and underfunded to hold their ground."
"In addition to raising millions of dollars a year for breast cancer research, fundraising giant Susan G. Komen for the Cure has a lesser-known mission that eats up donor funds: patrolling the waters for other charities and events around the country that use any variation of "for the cure" in their names.
So far, Komen has identified and filed legal trademark oppositions against more than a hundred of these Mom and Pop charities, including Kites for a Cure, Par for The Cure, Surfing for a Cure and Cupcakes for a Cure--and many of the organizations are too small and underfunded to hold their ground."
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
Komen is reaping the benefits of their bad press .. fund raising is down about 8%
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4509#.VUeWZJPfDwA
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4509#.VUeWZJPfDwA
Charity Navigator Rating - Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a Health charity rated 2 of 4 stars by Charity Navigator. Located in Dallas, TX, it is one of 8,286 organizations rated by Charity Navigator.
WWP has been in that arena for years, it has just taken some time to realize it. WWP doesn't like to do anything unless they can put a logo on it and a camera in front of it. A close friend of mine lost both legs a few years ago and many charities helped out in important ways for both family things (gift cards for restaurants, grocery stores, cost of living stuff) or morale things like Itunes gift cards, movies, etc. WWP only hands out logos like t shirts, small cinch bags, etc. They don't help unless they can advertise and their overhead for salary and celebrity endorsers are through the roof.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/wounded-warrior-project-spends-58-of-donations-on-veterans-programs/2132493
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/wounded-warrior-project-spends-58-of-donations-on-veterans-programs/2132493
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.
yeah, that's a tough question.. I co-founded a Veteran non-profit VetTix.org we are 6 years old and we are currently at 99% , so for every $1 we raise, 99 cents goes back to our program.. However that is hard to maintain and to grow with, this year for example we are spending some money marketing to get more tickets donated to our organization. I can understand how some would be upset at other orgs can sometime operate in the 50-60% range. Have to look at their total impact and where exactly the money is going..
PO1 Steven Kuhn
I believe that we as Americans should take care of our veterans, but I also believe that it is the responsibility of the government who sent them out in the first place to have a large responsibility for the care and well being also. As a nation times are tough on almost everyone but our elected officals and I would like to see our government take the lead in showing that they truly care about our service and our contributions to freedom and our post service suffering.
Cpl Brett Wagner
Any charity that benefits veterans is good in my opinion, I prefer "Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund". Also "Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation" which sends 100% of the proceeds to the active duty, veterans and their families. Randy Couture picks up any costs in order to support getting 100% of the proceeds going to the right place.
MAJ Dallas D.
Thanks CPL Butch Hogan I am a new member to VetTix.org and looking forward to my first event!
2LT Blais,
I myself am a disabled vet and a member of the WWP. So far I can only say good things about them. I recently fell on hard times and could not pay bills, they reached out to me and sent me gift cards so I could at least pay for groceries. They are helping me with trying to find a job again, and randomly call me to just check up on me. They even called me on my birthday to wish me a Happy Birthday.
I myself am a disabled vet and a member of the WWP. So far I can only say good things about them. I recently fell on hard times and could not pay bills, they reached out to me and sent me gift cards so I could at least pay for groceries. They are helping me with trying to find a job again, and randomly call me to just check up on me. They even called me on my birthday to wish me a Happy Birthday.
The truth is in the 990. This organization has over the past 14 years done more to hurt the image of Veterans than it has helped. They have perfected the marketing of using Soldiers and their injuries to pull in money while not sharing the great things that even those missing 2 or 3 body parts are doing to better than community. So yes, the "heat" coming down on them is well deserved. And I'm not saying this as someone with his own Veterans' Nonprofit organization but I think people will see their hard earned dollar go further when they donate to local organizations. Those of us in it not to get rich on the backs of Veterans will appreciate your donation and ensure it used for all the right reasons, not to pad our back pockets.
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
I constantly get solicitation calls "to support local firefighters" from organizations with 70% solicitation costs! Whoever said that "Not for Profit" meant "Not for Money"!
If this is truly a charity then it shouldn't be focused on people getting bonuses and additional money. If they want to spend additional money it should be spent where the money was intended to start with, the wounded warriors.
I have heard mixed reviews from people that have dealt with WWP.
I have no personal experience with WWP.
However, some of their "business" practices are questionable. There are quite a few reports about the amount of money they spend suing other charitable/veteran centric organizations over the use of "wounded warrior" and similarities to the WWP logo.
While I can understand wanting to protect their brand, it would seem they are a bit overzealous and somewhat of a bully about it. Additionally, Veterans are the ones losing out as the plaintiff's and defendant's are usually both non-profit Veteran support organizations spending money that could otherwise be used to support Veterans.
I have no personal experience with WWP.
However, some of their "business" practices are questionable. There are quite a few reports about the amount of money they spend suing other charitable/veteran centric organizations over the use of "wounded warrior" and similarities to the WWP logo.
While I can understand wanting to protect their brand, it would seem they are a bit overzealous and somewhat of a bully about it. Additionally, Veterans are the ones losing out as the plaintiff's and defendant's are usually both non-profit Veteran support organizations spending money that could otherwise be used to support Veterans.
SGT Jeremiah B.
This highlights part of the problem. That 'bullying' is actually required by law. If they don't, it's considered abandonment and all of their controls go up in smoke.
PO1 Dustin Adams
Bullying was more in reference to their tactics. I think it was keystone wounded warriors, a small charity based in Pennsylvania that they threatened with extended litigation for using the term wounded warrior, which would have eaten up 6-9 months worth of donations to fight. They in no way associated themselves with WWP but because they had wounded warrior in their name, WWP threatened them.
PO1 Dustin Adams
This is from another string about WWP
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/04/wounded-warrior-charity-unleashes-hell-on-other-veteran-groups.html
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?
SPC Kolod, did WWP help you complete your packet for submission to the VA? If they did good for them.
Many years ago the VFW helped me complete the paperwork - they like many other veterans support organizations have well-trained people who are there primarily to help you get into the VA system and help you work out follow-on issues.
If you have not submitted a packet to the VA, I strongly encourage you to do so.
I recommend you check out Veterans Benefits if you have not already done so.
http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/
After that I recommend you take a look at the VA Health webpage.
http://www1.va.gov/health/
Many years ago the VFW helped me complete the paperwork - they like many other veterans support organizations have well-trained people who are there primarily to help you get into the VA system and help you work out follow-on issues.
If you have not submitted a packet to the VA, I strongly encourage you to do so.
I recommend you check out Veterans Benefits if you have not already done so.
http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/
After that I recommend you take a look at the VA Health webpage.
http://www1.va.gov/health/
Veterans Health Administration
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system with over 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.76 million Veterans each year
SPC Chad Kolod
Thank you very much for that information! I went through the MedBoard process and finished all of my paperwork and submission during that time. I can say that the WWP met with us in North Carolina during that time and was a great help. I have no experience with submitting a claim after getting out. I am one of the lucky ones that has had everything run smoothly.
LTC Stephen F.
I am glad to learn that everything for you has processed smoothly for you. It sounds like you were medically retired from the military.
WWP does nothing here where I live or even in a 2 hour drive. There Founder makes more than a 4 star General x2. They ask every VFW for money large or small. Then sue people. I managed to get a by-law passed in my post that makes it against the rules for us to donate to any org. that not at least 85% of money taken in goes out to Veterans or to help the poor.
What ever happened to people donating there time and effort, not holding there hand. WWP is a JOB to people, there not helping veterans cause it's the right thing to do, nope its a JOB.
SPC Chad Kolod you said you wanted a computer for school did you ever ask the local VFW for help getting one? The DAV can help too. Scouts Out.
What ever happened to people donating there time and effort, not holding there hand. WWP is a JOB to people, there not helping veterans cause it's the right thing to do, nope its a JOB.
SPC Chad Kolod you said you wanted a computer for school did you ever ask the local VFW for help getting one? The DAV can help too. Scouts Out.
SPC Chad Kolod
I actually did ask my local VFW, they could not help, but were very nice. I understand that people hate too see people in charge of charities make money but that is kind of the way it is. No, we don't have to like it, but we do need to realize it happens. As far as doing nothing close to you, I am in Maine and they are flying people to Florida for events. Also, yes, it is a job. To expect other people to go out of there way to do things for free is, again, naïve. It is fantastic when it happens, but you shouldn't "expect" it. I think a lot of people who get out of the military "expect" a lot of things to be given to them. As nice as that would be its not the real world. Why has it become the right thing to do to go out of your way to help out Veterans? Shouldn't the argument be you should go out of your way to help out everyone? I am not here to argue just discuss. I appreciate everyone's comments!
SPC Christian Ziegler
I live in WV people call us rednecks and hillbillies and all that. But the one thing you will find around here is Veteran pride and its Veterans and the community helping veterans. See at our post we would have got you the computer np. We do so much around here for each other we don't need WWP. None of us get paid or even our gas refunded. I try hard each day to help veterans get what they need from the VA either a higher % or start a claim, even tough we have someone in the VFW who's sole job it is to do that, I do it too just because it needs done.
I understand WWP is a great and wonderful thing for some people, but for the veterans here in southern WV they depend on each other and the people they can shake hands with. Scouts Out
I understand WWP is a great and wonderful thing for some people, but for the veterans here in southern WV they depend on each other and the people they can shake hands with. Scouts Out
SPC Chad Kolod
I truly appreciate everything that you do! Thanks for everything and keep on keepin' on!
MAJ Anthony DeStefano
When I donate to a charity I don't want to fund 300K salaries...I want the money to go directly to the veteran in question...they have grown exponentially and their overhead is very high, I represent one of those charities that are all volunteer with no salaries...I do not deny they do some very wonderful things but it has become a real business...I heard at one point that overhead was over 70 percent! I will have to research that further... In any case giving locally and directly is for me the best way to go. I belong to two 501c3's that do precisely that...our overhead is fuel, flyers and posters and not much else.
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