Is the WWP really that bad?

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 07 May 2015 00:48:39 -0400

I know I posted a similar thread yesterday, but these articles keep popping up.

1. WWP takes 57% of their revenue to support Wound Warrior Programs. That seems to be pretty good.

2. They apparently/allegedly spend a lot of time litigating with other not for profits veterans service organizations.

3. Finally, they apparently have issues with the 2nd Amendment.

4. They are ranked 86/100 on charity navigator.

Are they really that bad? Is there something more to this?

http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/news/as-a-disabled-veteran-i-no-longer-support-wounded-warrior-project/?utm_source=F&utm_medium=SM&utm_campaign=C

COL Jean (John) F. Burleson Cpl Michael Grubbs Col Joseph Lenertz CSM Michael J. Uhlig 1LT Eric Rosa MAJ Paul Hoiland CPT Aaron Kletzing Sgt Aaron Kennedy SGT Veronica Fulgham - Blais 1LT Sandy Annala TSgt Hunter Logan GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas COL Wade Dennis COL Christopher Burns Capt Christopher Mueller SPC Elijah Henry LTC Vincent Stoneking LCDR Rabbi Jaron Matlow SGT Keith Bodine CW5 Scott Montgomery Cpl Anthony Pearson MAJ Yinon Weiss SFC Mark Merino LTC Paul HeinleinSFC Mark Merino MAJ Yinon Weiss MAJ Paul Hoiland CPT Aaron Kletzing Sgt Aaron Kennedy SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas CSM Michael J. Uhlig SGM Mike Oldsen LTC Vincent Stoneking COL Christopher Burns SGT Veronica Fulgham - Blais MSgt Joshua Copeland COL Jean (John) F. Burleson Col Joseph Lenertz SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP'SGT Jeff Daley, PhD Col Michael Grubbs, Ph.D., LMFT-S SGT Jeff Daley, PhD

As a Disabled Veteran I No Longer Support Wounded Warrior Project

As a Disabled Veteran and Alumni of Wounded Warrior Project, I’ve continued to sit by and keep my mouth shut... View Article

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 7 at 2015 3:46 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Thu, 07 May 2015 03:46:31 -0400

I think they started out with great intentions and then lost their way as the money started flowing in. When I see a "non-profit" that is clearly making a profit (thru inflated salaries, high "admin" costs, etc.), I tend to jump ship very quickly.

Response by SSG Michael O'Malley made May 7 at 2015 10:11 AM

SSG Michael O'Malley — Thu, 07 May 2015 10:11:55 -0400

I am not looking for a response but just want to state my own personal experience with VSOs. I am both a member of the DAV and WWP. In order to be a member of the DAV I had to pay $200 for my lifetime membership the WWP $0. I was a newly retired Vet and asked the DAV to assist in my VA claim I contacted them and gave them all the paperwork the asked for and for 1 week was in great contact. Now a 3 months later whenever I call I must go thru a messaging service and never get a call back. The WWP volunteered to look at my case and I have a rep that contacts me at least once a week for updates on my claim. once the WWP got involved it took 2 months and I was increased in my disability. WWP has also taken my family and I out for dinner and other events and programs with other WWP alumni at no cost. So I am not one to judge on how they spend money. I have received way more from the WWP at no cost to me or my family. Yet the DAV cost us $200 and all I got from them way a card that says Lifetime Member.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 12:07 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:07:33 -0400

According to the New York Times, "there are approximately 59,000 charities in this country with the word “veterans” in their names." (Source Below.) Some are better than others. Some hold to the gold standard in charitable organizations of below 10% Administrative and Fundraising Rate (AFR). According to the Combined Federal Campaign catalog, Wounded Warrior Project has a 16.7% AFR rate for 2014. (See below.) Most charities are genuine and want to help people, but some are scams, like the one in the NYT article. The best thing about donating the Wounded Warrior Project is that they are so big, so they do have a lot of scrutiny on what they do.

Here is the VA list of Veterans Support Organizations for 2013-14: http://www.va.gov/vso/VSO-Directory_2013-2014.pdf

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/opinion/the-charity-swindle.html?_r=0

http://www.cfcnca.org/sites/cfcnca.org/files/2014_CFCNCA_Catalog_of_Caring.pdf

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made May 7 at 2015 10:14 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Thu, 07 May 2015 22:14:01 -0400

From what I have heard WWP has some real issues especially with high executive salaries and just recently the lawsuits against other charities . I won't give nor will many of my military friends.

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made May 13 at 2015 3:59 PM

SPC Chad Kolod — Wed, 13 May 2015 15:59:08 -0400

This is a pretty hot topic at the moment. I had a pretty enlightening three about it a few days ago.