Wounded Warrior Project

[vito]

Knowing how well a not-for-profit organization is using donated funds is not as easy to determine as it might seem. I am not surprised that WWP spends a large percentage on advertising, but without that advertising it is likely that the amount of donating supporters would only be a fraction of what it is. One measure used in the charity business is to determine how many dollars are gained per dollar spent in fundraising. But without actual dollar amounts it is impossible to really know if the spending is wasteful or truly effective in the end. And while close to half a million as the salary for a CEO seems like a lot, I really don't know how big an organization WWP really is. I retired two years ago from a religiously based not-for-profit health care organization and the CEO at that time was earning well over a million per year. But even a not-for-profit has to compete for talent with the for-profit competitors, so maybe that high salary is what it takes to get the right person in the job.

Another factor that makes it hard to evaluate a charity is that truly determining what services are part of the mission and what are overhead is not always as clear as might be imagined. Sometimes mission funds are really going to a wholly owned subsidiary and so part of those funds are coming back to benefit management of the main organization. To some degree you just have to rely on faith to know who is reputable and who isn't.

 

[amazingflapjack]

WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT ACCUSED OF PARTYING AWAY FUNDS
by MAX SLOWIK on JANUARY 28, 2016

This is an interesting report on the Guns America info page. Don't look good for Wounded Warrior.

 

[chud333]

Sadly where there are large sums of money there is also greed.

It's bad enough when our own Gov't will not step up to the plate
to help these Heroes.

I will continue to help out at our local American Legion Post
when i can.


Chuck

 

[bountyhunter]

It took me all of five minutes to find that the Better Business Bureau gives WWP a positive rating, saying it meets ALL of its 20 criteria as a legitimate charity. The website charitynavigator.org gives WWP a 3 out of 4 star rating, showing it gives 58% of its revenue to its program activities, and most of the rest is spent on fundraising///////
I would hope no one stops supporting WWP based upon this one allegation.

I watched the interview with the CEO of WWP. He was unapologetic for the fact you stated above (less than 60% of money directed to actual benefit). I would point out that is a TERRIBLE score by most standards although legal under law.

The better choice is one I have supported for about 35 years: Disabled American Veterans.

https://www.dav.org/

Here is their rating:

Charity Navigator - Advanced Search

Financial Performance Metrics
Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers) 96.5%


It astonishes me that the CEO of WWP could hold a straight face and claim 60% was OK, but some people have no shame. IMHO, the front row seats on the express bus to hell are reserved for people who line their pockets by exploiting wounded veterans.

 

[Arney]

Everyone should be pissed to the max and switch to DAV or similar organizations immediately.

 

[OLDSTER]

Wounded veterans

I have nothing but the highest respect for any Veteran, especially those folks who carry the war with them for a life time, and I donate to nearly all legitimate Vets causes. But several months ago, a very disturbing thing happened when me and my "coffee clutch" chums ( 2/3 of whom are Korea and Viet Nam Vets) were sitting in our local McDonalds. A brand new $50K to $60K Ford pickup truck pulled into the parking lot right outside the window where we were sitting. It was adorned with a $15000 to $20000 paint job advertising the Wounded Warrior Project Needless to say, this left us with questions. My concern is as posted by others in this thread. Where is our money being spent that we give to this so-called "worthy" program ? Can some one address this ??

 

[Calaveras Slim]

Here we go. The two top dogs from WWP busted. Hopefully WWP will get better.

 

[bgrafsr]

I've been reluctant to donate to a Veteran Charity, even though I myself am a Veteran. After finally reading this thread and seeing the remarks about the DAV Organization, I am now donating X amount of dollars each month to the DAV. Should have done this years ago, but at least I'm doing it now.

 

[7shooter]

I helped Vets for 30+ years in their struggle to get their earned benefits. Nothing against other organizations but the Disabled American Veterans was head and shoulders above all the others.

It is the one Vets organization I give to.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Curious interview last night.

Bill O'Reilly has long been a supporter and advertiser of WWP. Last night he interviewed Capt. Anthony Odierno, who chairs the BOD. Odierno said that the results of an independent audit showed 80% of all the funds went to the programs. And that 99% of the travel was within policy. So Bill asked him if that was the case then why were the guys fired? The answer was a mushy non-answer that the BOD decided a change was needed. Bill pressed several times what was it was that the execs did that caused the firing. Refused to answer. Finally, Bill said that many of the millions of Factor viewers have given their hard earned money to WWP, and don't they deserve a direct specific answer? Nothing. Odierno seemed tight scripted and mechanical with his words. Not being forthright was the vibe I got. You'd think the reason for Odierno going on TV would be to inspire confidence and trust to attract more donations. Sure didn't look that way to me.

 

[TXSWFAN]

Curious interview last night.

Bill O'Reilly has long been a supporter and advertiser of WWP. Last night he interviewed Capt. Anthony Odierno, who chairs the BOD. Odierno said that the results of an independent audit showed 80% of all the funds went to the programs. And that 99% of the travel was within policy. So Bill asked him if that was the case then why were the guys fired? The answer was a mushy non-answer that the BOD decided a change was needed. Bill pressed several times what was it was that the execs did that caused the firing. Refused to answer. Finally, Bill said that many of the millions of Factor viewers have given their hard earned money to WWP, and don't they deserve a direct specific answer? Nothing. Odierno seemed tight scripted and mechanical with his words. Not being forthright was the vibe I got. You'd think the reason for Odierno going on TV would be to inspire confidence and trust to attract more donations. Sure didn't look that way to me.

Maybe he just got back from a WWP meeting and was still a little buzzed on the Macallan 1926 scotch they were serving.