Wounded Warrior Project review: SCAM 11

Before you jump the gun and spouting out negative blab! Do some homework! Back up you're complaints and accusations with some examples and the who, what, when, where and why? What have you seen? What did you hear and from what source? These type of complaints and ridicule are ignored by most people who have a little common sense! Please be prepared to back up what you're saying. An alligator mouth and mosquito ### gets you nowhere. USN(ret)

Strong allegations in deed. Anybody can make negative allegations with words but unless you can validate the words with actual examples that can be researched and examined they are just words. Words that can and do affect the ability and effectiveness of a charity to perform its stated goal. Wounded Warriors need our help so unless you provide verifiable specifics to prove your allegations, your words do and should fall on deaf ears.

My group is currently taking on Wounded Warrior Project as one of our major charities that we support throughout the year. After I reviewed the reports, I am concerned that only 30% of the funds donated actually reaches the pool for the needs of our vets. If this is correct, I am afraid that I will not be joining my members in sending money to this group. If this is not correct, please someone send me information to dispute.

I have read the above and have a few points that I would like someone affiliated with WW answer. Should a former vet be looking at this cause for personal gain and make it very public? I have an example if a Ct vet that was given a 1200 dollar plus golf set custom from WW project and passes to play in the Travelers Tournament in Cromwell. What is this purpose to give that kind of money for two people that don't need the money, and looked at this a a celebrity event.. I'm confused. This same person is setting up a WE golf tourney at Mohegan Sun in Sept and has spouted off to several people how much he'll clear on this. Turns out there is another Vet that works for Mohegan today I assisting. I've donated to the cause, not a lot, but what I could. To know that this spectacle of misuse of funds is happening is bothersome. This specific group I'm mentioning has never once talked about the "good", but only the profits they see. Is there anyone that monitors this? By no means do I down the cause, just don't see how these select people look at their service as a way to profit personally.. Would appreciate a response, and if former responders need further info to back this up, would be happy to elaborate.

For 2012, WWP reported that about 73 percent of its expenses went toward programs and services, but the charity is one of many that uses a commonly accepted practice to claim a portion of expenses as charitable works by lumping them under the broad category of “program service expenses.” For example, by including educational material in solicitations, charities can classify some of the expense as good deeds.

In my analysis of WWP’s 2012 IRS Form 990, “Statement of Functional Expenses (Part IX)” [see page 10], I determined that in 2012: 32.54% of contributions was added to WWP’s endowment fund (banked or invested); 59.81% of contributions was spent on programs and services, direct and indirect costs*; and 7.65% of contributions was awarded directly in grants.

* Of the 59.81% spent on programs and services, 12.31% was for salaries and other compensation and 47.50% was for other expenses, including those spent on “consulting and outside services” and on overhead

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The figures above contradict the claims WWP makes on their website and in their annual reports and press releases — this is because WWP uses the broad category of “program service expenses” when reporting their operating costs.

According to WWP: “Based on our fiscal year 2013 audited financial statements ending September 30, 2013, 80 percent of total expenditures went to provide services and programs for wounded service members and their families.”

2013 Expenses By Category: Program Services: $175, 009, 142; Management and General: $9, 199, 900; Fundraising: $34, 764, 110; Total Expenses: $218, 973, 152; Total Cash Contributions: $224, 063, 935

However, in my analysis of WWP’s audited financial statements for 2013, I determined that 82.12 percent of the $175, 009, 142 in “program service expenses” was for indirect costs (overhead); therefore, in 2013 only 18 percent of total expenditures went to provide services and programs for wounded service members and their families.

WWP is one of many nonprofits that allocates operating costs (overhead) under the category “program service expenses, ” giving donors the perception that this is the amount provided in grants or services. The IRS permits this so there is no real watchdog for charities. Even the online watchdogs don't correctly analysis the IRS data.

Operating expenses are indirect costs, which include management services, salaries and other compensation, fundraising events, advertising and promotion, office expenses, information technology, conferences, conventions, meetings, occupancy (mortgage/rent, utilities, etc.), lobbying, insurance, travel, and other expenses.

WWP does not provide direct financial assistance to its alumni, which is what they call those who sign up online for their member services (as of October 1, 2014, WWP has 58, 034 alumni). WWP states that they “cannot direct funds to a geographic location or specific individual.” On their website they write: “Throughout the year, we offer a wide range of events and activities around the country designed just for Alumni. These activities include sporting events, educational sessions, and social events that give individuals a chance to spend time with other injured service members. Alumni can also participate in many WWP activities and events for injured service members.”

WWP provides “programs and services” to their alumni, in addition to backpacks (“WWP packs”). According to their website: “Warriors receive WWP packs in the hospital. They can be purchased through Under Armour and will be presented to an injured service member recuperating in a military hospital. WWP provides more than 18 programs and services to injured service members and their families, in addition to numerous valuable resources. Sign up online for our WWP Alumni program. It’s free to join. Please visit our Programs page and browse all our offerings that are categorized by Mind, Body, Economic Empowerment and Engagement.”

It is important to note that WWP does not provide programs or services to military veterans who served before September 11, 2001. On WWP’S website it states: “WWP began as a small, grassroots effort to provide immediate assistance when a warrior of this generation was injured. We felt we could do the most good by providing more comprehensive programs and services to the newly injured, rather than spread ourselves too thin by trying to help all veterans. We also knew there were many terrific veterans’ organizations for warriors from previous conflicts, but very few focused on serving our newest generation.”

If anyone has doubts, it is your right to voice those opinions as an American. It is important to share and it opens the door for investigations and that's a good thing. Why don't we open this door to the actual warriors and their families for testimonials. Ask them to get on television, report supported facts...let's not use the internet...anyone can write false comments. I'm not accusing anyone of that. We need to know that all our heroes and their families are seeing we care and support them all even if they are not wounded; many leave to serve but don't return the same way they left; and too many don't come back. We need to hear from them and/or their families, visually, if possible. If this can happen, then those organizations (and their volunteers) can continue their good works.
The news on the television have reported that there are also people who dress in military gear and falsely tell people that they served so they can get money. Scams are everywhere.
As for myself, I do support the Wounded Warriors Project in many ways. I also thank and give hugs to a soldier in person who is in military gear for fighting for our freedom. As an American and up in age, I can honestly tell you that "hugs" go a long way; and it doesn't cost a cent, yet it is worth more than any dollar figure.
I let others go in front of me on lines. There are so many small things that we can do that mean so much to our warriors. Even if the accusations are true, I feel that at least some percentage of funds and expressing our appreciation in any way are getting to our true heroes.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12842#.VaimGOKUzGd

Blew me away to see this especially the Wounded Warriors Project.They raised millions and not alot was spent on Veterans.The expenses for salaries was more then other organizations I noticed.That's ashame makes me not want to support this kind of program, My husband is a Veteran.I hate when these organizations raise money and alot of people need help and can't get it.I would rather give to St.Jude it's more worthy and it helps those kids with cancer.

I contacted WWP on three seperate occasions. My goal was to donate my time, (up to 8 hrs a week) to help veterens in any way possible as needed by the Vet. My skills offered: driving services, home remdeling, painting, construction, shopping, and cooking. I am even willing to entertain. Go to movies, boating, and recreating in general. They (WWP) made it pretty clear that MONEY is their goal, and if I could not give it, to leave them alone. I wish I could inform the celebrities that promote WWP. If you are a vet located in western WA State, of ANY time period, and need help, PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me. hoodsportluke@yahoo.com

With the amount of funds this Swindling & Shyster organization has Squandered in the name of our Precious Veterans’, I cannot believe it is still allowed to operate.

the main complaint i have besides misuse of funds, THEY DON'T ACCEPT NAM VETS ! were screwed again.

My complaint with them - and I guess it’s a “good” complaint - is that sometimes they seem to go in the direction of overkill. A local vet - who definitely needed help - got what I call a mansion in one of the priciest neighborhoods in the area. I wondered if they had scaled down a bit how many more things could they have done with the same amount of money. I also wonder who’s going to pay the taxes on the house and property every year.