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Wounded Warriors Project: Warning.

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  • Acera

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    Before you partake in any charitable donation to this organization, please check this out.

    Wounded Warriors Projected called legal scam as scandalous news spreads | GunsSaveLife.com

    Low-lights of the article.

    ................Wounded Warriors Project earned our ire about a year ago when they made it clear they didn’t want to partner with gun owners to help them fundraise. Or Christians ........................................


    ..............well-paid executive director Steve “Money Money Money” Nardizzi said gun owner partnership was unwelcome................



    ...........according to their IRS filings, in 2011 it would seem as though they only gave a little over $5 million in grants on nearly $150 million in income.


    ....................Fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion? No problem (twice, in fact).
    Fundraiser at a church? Can’t have that..................
    ARJ Defense ad
     

    GlockOwner

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    On the note of charities, you can go to http://www.charitynavigator.org and see how charities rate based on financial factors. You can see expense percentages, income statements and ratings. This is only half of the research, as it is ONLY financial, and doesn't take into account the politics of the organization.

    Based on the financial info, Wounded Warrior is rated fairly high while National Veterans Services Fund, Inc. is rated very low.
     

    Acera

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    Regarding charities, I worked at one for a number of years. A lot can be hidden in program costs and taken out of administration costs, etc. If you have a good accountant, understand the game, you can make your numbers look good on paper.
     

    breakingcontact

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    I recommend that the more local and direct they are, the better. But i dont and wouldnt give without checking them out.

    This is honestly something i should do and really havent. I give money to National and Texas Right to Life groups and political candidates. Good thread. Ill look for a good one and donate.
     

    AustinN4

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    ...........according to their IRS filings, in 2011 it would seem as though they only gave a little over $5 million in grants on nearly $150 million in income.

    This is pretty much all one needs to know about WWP.
     

    deemus

    my mama says I'm special
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    Didn't we already cover this here?

    http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/news-articles/54224-wwp-possibly-scam.html

    The reason I bring it up, is that its a bit reckless to accuse them of only spending $5 mil of $150 mil. taken in. Use the link that Ben posted and form your own conclusions, or read my analysis. (I think its the last post on that thread) But saying that about the $5 mil, is simply not true. They spent well over $100 million. That's just a bit more than $5 million. The author of that article simply doesn't "get it."

    If you want to bash them for not allowing gun related companies to sponsor or raise money, that's another issue. But they appear to be using the funds on the stuff they were intended for, based on the Form 990. Most CPA's I know try to have a fair presentation.


    edit - Let me shed some light on this.

    Charities have two ways of serving the causes they represent: 1) grants to other organizations that serve a similar purpose ( I have heard the United Way is like this, but have not read their 990); and 2) what is referred to as "program services" which are projects the organization takes on itself. Some charities do only grants. Which is to say, they only give to other charitable organizations. They perform zero projects or services themselves. Others, give zero grants, and spend all of their monies on their own projects. And there is a third group who do both. For example the NFL foundation, who gives grants to football players who provide free camps for kids; and also has their own Play 360 project.

    WWP also does both. The $5 mil referred to are the grants they gave to other organizations who they feel performs a similar function to them. For example, they gave money a group that helps WW's who surf. In addition to that, they also spent $132 million on their own projects. That is a crapload of money.

    Do they pay their execs too much? I don't think so, but its a matter of opinion. The highest paid exec makes $330K. Most companies who gross appx $200 million will have execs who make over $1 million each.

    Do they run their programs in ways that cheat the WW's? Who knows? It would take an insider to be able to expose some sort of fraud.

    But the claim that they only used $5 million of almost $200 million is simply not true. My 17 yr old could figure out they gave over $100 million away. In fact, anyone who used Ben's link and read through that 990 could figure that out.

    I expect better than this out of Acera. You my friend are one of the good guys around here.
     
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    karlac

    Lately too damn busy to have Gone fishin' ...
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    Friend of mine gets involved with WWP when it comes to helping vets out with Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners, but always does so under the auspices of a local charity because of the very reasons inferred here.

    Fisher House is my charity of choice. I've personally witnessed the good these folks do in providing temporary quarters for families of VA patients. Excellent bang for the buck.
     

    coachrick

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    Wow, an initial very timely disappointment when I read the OP. I'll have to study some on this.

    I say timely because I was just on SlickDeals mentioning Brawny Paper Towels' support of the WWP as one reason I would seek out Brawny towels vs Bounty, Sparkle, Scott, etc. It's never THAT simple, of course; but I sure liked seeing the visibility of the WWP and Veteral info on the Brawny packaging.

    Like a wise man said:
    "Lies, damned lies...and statistics" !!!
     

    AustinN4

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    But the claim that they only used $5 million of almost $200 million is simply not true. My 17 yr old could figure out they gave over $100 million away. In fact, anyone who used Ben's link and read through that 990 could figure that out.

    Thank you for correcting the record and, by doing so, encouraging me to do my own research about WWP. I found this article in NonProfit Quarterly and thought it was interesting so I am posting a link to it.

    One Charity, Many Different Ratings: What’s a Donor to Do?
    By Rick Cohen, 08 Jan 2013
    One Charity, Many Different Ratings: What?s a Donor to Do? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly
     

    HillRider

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    It's a shame that many charities are simply scams. Better to give or do things personally, that way you know where that money is going. It's really the thought that counts. See if you can visit recovering vets. Just hang out with them. Like I remember back when, if you meet a wounded warrior at your college, befriend them, talk to them, etc.
     

    shortround

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    Sad to see this. Always thought the program to be upright. Whatever happened to Soldier's Angels?

    My money goes to the Salvation Army and the NRA.
     

    AustinN4

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    It's a shame that many charities are simply scams. Better to give or do things personally, that way you know where that money is going. It's really the thought that counts. See if you can visit recovering vets. Just hang out with them. Like I remember back when, if you meet a wounded warrior at your college, befriend them, talk to them, etc.

    Between where you and I live, Olympic Kayaker Ben Kvanli works with wounded vets on the waters around San Marcus. veterans adventure Things like this always need volunteer help onsite.
     

    RetArmySgt

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    I have dealt with these guys, they used to bribe us with free diners at casinos or big fancy hotels then have us tell our stories to rich people with deep pockets. The people would then pay outrageous amounts of money for useless crap in the auctions. But I have also known 100's of disabled vets that have tried to get assistance from them and got nothing, not even an automated response.
     

    deemus

    my mama says I'm special
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    I have dealt with these guys, they used to bribe us with free diners at casinos or big fancy hotels then have us tell our stories to rich people with deep pockets. The people would then pay outrageous amounts of money for useless crap in the auctions. But I have also known 100's of disabled vets that have tried to get assistance from them and got nothing, not even an automated response.

    I myself have paid outrageous amounts for useless crap. And did it happily because it was for a good cause. (not WWP)

    I can see my Olympic flag signed by Carly Patterson from where I sit. I paid out the nose for it, and not one person has ever said anything about it. And it has brought zero to my life. But the money helped fund Olympic training facilities. And that makes it worth every penny.
     
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