"The report I issued on spending at the Wounded Warrior Project highlighted a number of concerns that needed to be addressed," he said in a statement. But after recent tax forms reflected questionable spending by the veterans charity on staff expenditures, including $26 million on conferences and meetings at luxury hotels in 2014 alone, Fred Kane called for Nardizzi to be fired.The expenditure on conferences and travel was up from just $1.7 million in 2010, according to reports. One significant ongoing organizational investment has provided for a two-week intensive post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury outpatient program at four hospitals: Massachusetts General Hospital, Emory University Hospital, Rush University Medical Center and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. It operates as a nonprofit 501 organization. He also told CBS News that the charity did not spend money on alcohol or engages in any other kind of excessive spending. (Linnington said more than 72% of WWP spending currently goes toward programs.). We recognize these are freedoms our service members fought and sacrificed to protect. The Wounded Warrior Project began in 2003 as a basement nonprofit organization run by Mr. Melia, who was wounded in a helicopter crash off Somalia. During WWP's nadir and through its turnaround, its roster of wounded warriors and "family support members" has only grown -- a fact that speaks as much to the persistent and growing need as it does to the organization's success in the space. It no longer invests, for example, in its TRACK college preparation program for wounded warriors, preferring to let Student Veterans of America own the space. This event occured agen in 2011. Will we ever be 380 again? Two former employees, who were so fearful of retaliation they asked that CBS News not show their faces on camera, said spending has skyrocketed since Steven Nardizzi took over as CEO in 2009, pointing to the 2014 annual meeting at a luxury resort in Colorado Springs. "[17] The Veterans Administration's online List of Representatives for Accredited Organizations includes contact information for WWP's accredited service officers. Wounded Warrior Project is an American charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following September 11, 2001. WWP strives to provide our warriors with high-touch, comprehensive support in the areas of mental health, physical health, education and employment. "Four years ago, I would have told you to keep your money in your pocket and take it somewhere else," he said. [5], WWP allocates 71 percent of its revenue to programs and services for wounded veterans and their families, and the remaining balance pays to support those programs.[6]. specially adapted smart homes completed for our severely wounded heroes. And though critics argue that the standards used by watchdog organizations to assess nonprofits are overly subjective and sometimes unfairly punitive, staff with two accountability groups who spoke with Military.com were generally bullish about Wounded Warrior Project's practices and outlook. "So when I saw what was going on in the media, I was, believe it or not, automatically attracted to try and help.". "Going to a nice fancy restaurant is not team building. Every month in 2021, more than 1,277 warriors and family members registered with Wounded Warrior Project to receive our free programs and services. It's been more than two years since the Wounded Warrior Project was rocked by a scandal surrounding allegations of excessive salaries and lavish spending, but the Jacksonville-based charity . The Wounded Warrior Project is working to rebuild trust with its donors and veterans. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. The termination was part of the embattled organization's attempts to do some much-needed . "WWP and those donor dollars trained me to speak and be a voice, and that's exactly what I'm doing," said Millette. WWP's legislative agenda is guided by the information in the organization's Annual Warrior Alumni Survey and encompasses issue areas spanning from veteran brain health and toxic exposure to women veteran issues. Some of the top picks of these charity evaluators include the Against Malaria Foundation, which protects families in the developing world against deadly malaria-carrying mosquitoes, and GiveDirectly, which transfers money directly to some of the poorest people in the world. Army Staff Sergeant Erick Millette, who returned from Iraq in 2006 with a bronze star and a purple heart, told CBS News at the time he admired the charitys work and took a job with the group in 2014 but quit after two years. WWP also provided home care to the most . Initially, he admired the charity's work, and participated in its programs. [21] WWP's outpatient care and therapy sessions provide PTSD and TBI treatment through Emory Healthcare Veterans Program. Wounded Warrior Project initially operated as a division of the United Spinal Association of New York,[8][10] which adopted WWP as a program in November 2003. One 2013 commercial, "Sacrifices," featured footage of a veteran with severe traumatic brain injury struggling to walk assisted and to enter a car, and of another vet with body-encompassing burn injuries reaching for his prosthetic ears to put them on. Slightly more than half of the Kanes' donations directly benefitted veterans, according to CBS News. As part of this judgment, Graham retracted his false statements and apologized to Wounded Warrior Project, acknowledging that his conduct was disrespectful and inappropriate. These uniforms were made by Under Armor. Former employees say spending has skyrocketed since Steven Nardizzi took over as CEO in 2009. The Wounded Warrior Project raised more than $1.1 million by renting out donor names and addresses over the last two years for which records are available. Regarding the criticism that WWP's portrayal of veterans in the past overemphasized traumatic wounds and veterans in need of lifelong help and support, Linnington said the organization's advertising approach is now different. WWP has always supported the Constitution of the United States of America, including the First and Second Amendments. Nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator says Wounded Warrior Project spends just 60 percent of its budget on veterans. Be able to be able to provide the best quality services.". He merely notes that "a lot of what was reported was incorrect," and that, in particular, the reported costs of travel and amenities at all-hands events were far overblown. Senate. But Linnington said the organization is closely tracking engagement, and estimated that 30% of members were actively engaged in WWP community events or taking advantage of free programs. Citing whistleblowers, stories by CBS and The New York Times detailed allegations of waste and abuse, lavish all-hands conferences and unbridled spending on ticketed outings that did little lasting good for the veterans they purported to help. LTG (ret) Michael Linnington serves as chief executive officer of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). That said, there are clear indications that the organization is improving its financial practices. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Please emailfraudalert@woundedwarriorproject.org. WWP also put up strong numbers in financial health, with controlled spending on administrative expenses and a healthy reserve of capital, which speaks to the organization's ability to sustain itself over time. In an effort to narrow its focus, WWP has dropped some efforts in favor of supporting other organizations that specialize. At this time, WWP uses a 3rd party near the Houston and Charlotte areas for "face-to-face fundraising" outside of certain outside of certain businesses and high-traffic areas. In the wake of the charity's scandal, Wounded Warrior Project not only ousted its two top executive officers but also slimmed its executive staff by 50 percent overall. Fred and Dianne Kane, the parents of two Iraq War veterans, have donated $325,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project since 2009 through their personal charity, Tee-off for a Cause. For example, Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust spends 96 percent of its budget on vets. WWP was granted accreditation as of September 10, 2008, by the Veterans Affairs Secretary as a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) "recognized by the Secretary for the purpose of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The organization will still take action in cases of suspected fraud, he said. We are independently audited every year, and copies of our financial documents since our inception are easily accessible for free on our website at. When the Wounded Warrior Project was hit in January with multiple accusations in the news media of lavish spending on travel, conferences and public relations, and a toxic . In 2014, afederal court judgmentwas entered against Graham permanently enjoining him from making defamatory statements about WWP. Our average age is 38 years old," Linnington said. There are several defamatory blog postings on the internet along with various email chains which claim WWP is a scam. For Linnington, the mission when he arrived at Wounded Warrior Project was not about exoneration; it was about regaining the lost trust of the veterans the organization was founded to serve. WWP Founder John Melia cited a strong local veteran community, access to Jacksonville International Airport, and support from the local business community, specifically the PGA Tour, as the reason for the move. All legitimate WWP job opportunities are listed on our website under Cool Careers.". The statement also said apreliminary financial audit found that some policies, procedures and controls at WWP have not kept pace with the organizations rapid growth in recent years and are in need of strengthening.. Staying at a lavish hotel at the beach here in Jacksonville, and requiring staff that lives in the area to stay at the hotel is not team building," he told CBS News. Recently, a social movement called Effective Altruism has been pushing the nonprofit sector to become more transparent and accountable. He was impressed, he said, that so many of those nighttime arrival flights would be greeted by WWP staff members, and that he'd also see WWP teammates visiting veterans at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. [48] And spending on conferences and meetings had increased from just under $2 million in 2010 to $26 million in 2014. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. [3] The organization has partnered with several other charities, including the American Red Cross, Resounding Joy, a music therapy group in California, and Operation Homefront. Linnington said the organization is also making a point to be part of conversations involving the "Big Six" -- the congressionally chartered veterans service organizations including American Legion and VFW -- and to be present for regular convenings with the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs. As the Wounded Warrior Project suffers fallout following the ousting of two top executive in the wake of a spending scandal, other charities that work with American veterans were left. On Thursday, text messages leaked showing that Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) had permanently banned a female staffer from her congressional office for failure to take a COVID-19 test. Most likely no. As commanding general of the Military District of Washington and commander of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, a position he held from 2011 to 2013, he said he welcomed many arriving C-17 Globemasters transporting wounded veterans back to the United States from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. [24], Wounded Warrior Project helps families of veterans reconnect through events that support family bonding and transitional skills. A current ad campaign, "I am Living Proof," featured in a number of bold bus-stop ads near WWP's Washington, D.C., headquarters, shows wounded vets standing in a posture of confidence. Dinners and alcoholjust total excess." Despite the recent removal of many articles originating the false information, rumors and falsehoods continue to circulate and surface online. Now, they're doing that follow-up, and they have the capacity to deal with the mental health issues," he said. " (2015). That's thanks in part to a soul-searchingly earnest restructuring effort helmed by CEO Mike Linnington, a retired three-star Army general who arrived at the organization in 2016 with a mandate to turn things around. Among those who say WWP has regained their trust is Erick Millette, a medically retired Army staff sergeant who worked for the organization as a full-time public speaker and representative in the organization's "Warriors Speak" program from 2013 to 2015. Wounded Warrior Project CEO Steven Nardizzi According to the charity's tax forms, spending on conferences and meetings went from $1.7 million in 2010, to $26 million in 2014. The WWP Backpacks program remains a central activity of WWP, evidenced by the more than 65,000 backpacks the organization has distributed since early 2018,[12] in support of transitioning U.S. military veterans. "We're looking for under 10 cents," she said. Like Charity Navigator, Charity Watch is critical of WWP's fundraising efficiency, which it considers to be on the low end of acceptable. 65,696. attendees of our Invincible Spirit Festivals since 2012. The organization has partnered with several other charities, including the American Red Cross, Resounding Joy, a music therapy group in C Linnington oversees day-to-day operations and works with the leadership team to set and implement the organization's strategic vision. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. In 2014, after 10 years of rapid growth, the Wounded Warrior Project flew its roughly 500 employees to Colorado Springs for an "all hands" meeting at the . "We focus our advertising campaign on warriors that have succeeded. "It was extremely extravagant. But Linnington maintains it's not just about the bottom line for him. Dr. Gleb Tsipursky is the President of Intentional Insights, an education nonprofit, and a tenure-track professor at Ohio State University. All rights reserved. He's come in on a Segway, he's come in on a horse.". I don't know, and frankly, that's not what I'm worried about. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Besides devastating both donors and wounded veterans, this news could undercut public support for the nonprofit sector as a whole. You lead from the frontgood or badyou dont hide, he said, If no one is going to talk about this right now and it has to be me, then it has to be me.. You can also report any incidents of consumer fraud or deception directly to the Federal Trade Commission atftc.gov/charityfraudor call (877) FTC-HELP. Our free services in mental health, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care, and policy advocacy improve the lives of millions of warriors and their families. "It's the best use of donor dollars to ensure we are providing programs and services to our warriors and families at the highest quality," he said. "So the needs of our population when that average was 27 years old is different than it is at 38, and it will be different when it's 48.". The Wounded Warrior Project, WWP, is a not-for-profit charity that aims to assist wounded veterans with their needs. We all have the power to ensure that we can truly trust nonprofits to spend our money wisely. "When the negative media event hit in January-February-March of 2016, public support dropped 50%," he said. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Wounded Warrior Project's CEO, Steven Nardizzi, and COO, Al Giordano, were fired by the charity's board amid criticisms about how it spends more than $800 million raised in donations in the. ", In March 2014, WWP testified before Congress that they strongly supported the bill "To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide veterans with counseling and treatment for sexual trauma that occurred during inactive duty training". 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