"I was always grateful for that mission," Linnington said. 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. In 2014, afederal court judgmentwas entered against Graham permanently enjoining him from making defamatory statements about WWP. Kurnyta said the watchdog group published a "low-concern" advisory for WWP in 2016 as staffing scandals made headlines, but never stopped rating the organization. The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is the largest veteran's charity in the United States. 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. At the end of 2015, there were 96,695 individuals in WWP's database; by the end of 2018, there were 155,302, with growth staying fairly consistent year-over-year. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. TRUTH: Compensation for executive staff at WWP is set following IRS rules, and based on comparison data derived from industry-wide surveys and the IRS 990s of other similar size and scope nonprofits. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The kind of fundraising figures that most organizations in the space could only dream about. He's come in on a Segway, he's come in on a horse.". 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. Retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, who took over the Wounded Warrior Project in July, said in an emailed statement that he is "pleased to see the Better Business Bureau's report. You can also report any incidents of consumer fraud or deception directly to the Federal Trade Commission atftc.gov/charityfraudor call (877) FTC-HELP. Wounded Warrior Project declined CBS News' interview requests for Nardizzi in January, but instead sent Director of Alumni and a recipient of their services, Captain Ryan Kules, who denied there was excessive spending on conferences. His salary can be found on our 990, available on our financials page. The nonprofit sector provides social services that governments cant or wont, including providing food, shelter and free higher education to the poor. We must also pressure nonprofits to be transparent about their activities and finances and measure the impact of their work. Charity Navigator also assessed that Wounded Warriors total revenue for 2014 was well over $340 million. [8][9] Melia had been severely wounded in a helicopter crash while serving in Somalia in 1992. "He rappelled down the side of a building at one of the all hands events. On June 1, 2009, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and other officials toured WPP's headquarters and signed Florida . I'm optimistic that the organization's leadership will continue to improve the organization, which will help to serve the military men and women who have served us.". "The allegations were so bad I . Committee on Veterans' Affairs, "Wounded Warrior Project Spends Lavishly on Itself, Insiders Say", "Wounded Warrior Project cleared of 'spending lavishly,' report finds - The Washington Post", "Sen. Grassley releases report on Wounded Warrior Project spending", "Wounded Warrior Project fires top 2 executives after accusations of lavish spending", "2013/2014 Directory: Veterans and Military Service Organizations", "List of Representative for Accredited Organization", "Gilbane doing $1.3 million renovation of Wounded Warrior Project HQ", "Iraq war veteran helps others recover from invisible wounds at Emory", "Veteran Employment Programs & Career Counseling", "Educational and Career Counseling (VA Chapter 36)", "Bill to improve VA adaptive housing grants passes House", "Impact of Wounded Warrior Project Advocacy Efforts Crosses $2.5 Billion", "Veterans: Frontline Concerns - Jon Stewart and Derek Fronabarger", "Motion for Entry of Consent Judgment and Permanent Injunction", "Senate releases report criticizing Wounded Warrior Project's past spending", "Small veterans' charity sued for "unfair competition" by Wounded Warrior Project", "Submission for the Record of Wounded Warrior Project", "Wounded Warrior Project denies money donation from a Fort Pierce Christian School", "Wounded Warrior Project accused of wasting donation money", "Wounded Warrior Board Ousts Top Two Executives", Wounded Warrior Project's Top Execs Fired After Spending Scandal,, "Charity watchdog drops Wounded Warrior Project from watch list", "Wounded Warrior Project cleared of 'spending lavishly,' report finds", "One Charity, Many Different Ratings: What's a Donor to Do? We have a long history of facilitating and sponsoring activities that involve firearms. What caught our attention is how the Wounded Warrior Project spends donations compared to other long-respected charities. First published on January 26, 2016 / 7:06 PM. "He rappelled down the side of a building at one of the all hands events. (Linnington said more than 72% of WWP spending currently goes toward programs.). Our average age is 38 years old," Linnington said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Through career counseling, including resume building, interview preparation, and salary negotiation assistance, veterans can find work that best fits their skill sets and allows them to smoothly transition into civilian life. He also denied that the charity spends money on alcohol or engages in any other kind of excessive spending. Anger and dismay greeted the announcement last week that the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit that helps wounded veterans, had fired its top staff. With time and support from donors, new meta-charities will arise to evaluate other areas of nonprofit activity. Most likely no. He continued, saying that for a charitable organization that's serving veterans, the spending on resorts and alcohol is "what the military calls fraud waste and abuse.". With health issues due to toxic exposure becoming an increasing concern for veterans, WWP has invested some $620,000 since fiscal 2017 toward research, partnering with Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS, to study disease linkages, build awareness and create a "tiger team" of organizations to develop ways to help affected veterans and their families. Millette, 41, who still lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where Wounded Warrior Project is headquartered, told Military.com he stands by all the claims he made about the organization -- $2,500 bar tabs and other prodigal spending at staff-only team-building events, a permissive "good old boys" atmosphere among leadership, and a tendency to push certain badly wounded veterans into the spotlight again and again for what appeared to be promotional purposes rather than for their benefit and well-being. 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. The organization has awarded an average of $14.6 million in grants each year since 2015, for a total of more than $80.9 million to 158 organizations since 2012, WWP spokesman Joe Plenzler said. Kaine, in the recent interview, also questioned Nardizzis apparent public absence while his organization has been under scrutiny. Our warriors and their families deserve no less. This event occured agen in 2011. When we dislike one member of a group, our dislike spills over to other members of that group, even if theres no good reason to think badly of them. 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. 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. organization. Speaking at the opening of the military chiefs' meeting in Brussels, NATO's deputy secretary general said alliance members 'Code Name Blue Wren' is the astounding story of DIA mole Ana Montes, told by a veteran investigative reporter. The Wounded Warrior Project, WWP, is a not-for-profit charity that aims to assist wounded veterans with their needs. It also alleged that WWP distributed what it deemed an insubstantial percentage of donations to actual wounded warriors, and that it overpaid its executive staff. I don't know, and frankly, that's not what I'm worried about. 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. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital 2527; 113th Congress)". [18] as well as a search tool to access information about other VSOs. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He took a job as a public speaker with Wounded Warrior Project in 2013. Not at all. When you are considering whether to give, let your heart be open to stories but also ask how representative those stories are of actual clients or results. Kurnyta noted the organization had a near-perfect score in transparency: 97 out of 100. Slightly more than half of the Kanes' donations directly benefitted veterans, according to CBS News. Katie Porter's Wounded Warrior Scandal Manages to Get Worse. [20], Wounded Warrior Project provides interactive programs, rehabilitation retreats, and free mental health counseling. The group did lose points on its fundraising score, with roughly 22 cents spent to make a dollar, per the most recent available data. To date, the WWP's . Despite the recent removal of many articles originating the false information, rumors and falsehoods continue to circulate and surface online. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Every month in 2021, more than 1,277 warriors and family members registered with Wounded Warrior Project to receive our free programs and services. WASHINGTON -- Last year, CBS News met Erick Millette, one of dozens of former employees who shared concerns about Wounded Warrior Project's spending and programs for veterans. WWP also provided home care to the most . No. In its commercials, Wounded Warrior Project appeals to the American public's generosity, and it works. "Veterans, our lives, literally, depend on it.". "Their mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors, but what the public doesn't see is how they spend their money," he said. For example, Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust spends 96 percent of its budget on vets. Absolutely, but the data and quotes cited by those attempting to defame WWP are false. (2015). But, he says, he doesn't regret what he did; he still believes his assessment of WWP at the time was accurate and his intervention necessary. "And secondly, with the American people who support our warriors.". Charity Navigator's rating for WWP has fluctuated over the years: It dipped down to two stars in 2010 as the organization grew, then briefly rose to a full four stars in 2017, reflecting the delayed arrival of 2015 data. It also closed regional . We recognize these are freedoms our service members fought and sacrificed to protect. In July 2006, WWP's headquarters were moved to Jacksonville, Florida. 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 . We all have the power to ensure that we can truly trust nonprofits to spend our money wisely. Linnington oversees day-to-day operations and works with the leadership team to set and implement the organization's strategic vision. 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. [32] After a court ruling, Graham retracted the allegations he leveled against Wounded Warrior Project and folded his direct-aid non-profit. So we've tried to paint service as a good thing and, I think if you look at the exceptional nature of the young people that are joining the military today, we're seeing a shift now in a higher propensity to serve, I think, over the last year or two.". One employee was quoted as calling it "extremely extravagant. To do this, we must give numbers priority over emotionally compelling stories. History of Math By: Donella Austin. These agencies have the best available resources to investigate and prosecute these matters. Wounded warriors and staff members representing coalition forces and the Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe are staged at the starting line of a 25-mile ride from Hermeskeil to Trier, Germany . Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The percentage of respondents who stated that WWP was effective at collaborating with other military and veteran nonprofits jumped from 63% to 85% from 2017 to 2018. He also told CBS News that the charity did not spend money on alcohol or engages in any other kind of excessive spending. "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.". All legitimate WWP job opportunities are listed on our website under Cool Careers.". 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. LTG (ret) Michael Linnington serves as chief executive officer of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The Wounded Warrior Project is working to rebuild trust with its donors and veterans. But investigations revealed that the organization spent millions of donor dollars on first-class airfare, employee retreats and extravagant salaries. 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Within months, Wounded Warrior Project's two top executives -- CEO Steve Nardizzi and COO Al Giordano -- had been fired, and the organization itself was the subject of a congressional inquiry. Lawmakers are pointing to a 2021 law that was meant to provide help and asking why it hasn't been fully put into effect by Changes are here, and they could mean thousands of dollars more, or less, in taxes for military families. [40], The WWP did a study of its alumni and found that, "almost half of the respondents indicated accessing care through VA for MST-related conditions was 'very difficult'. While Military.com was unable to review survey findings in full, Plenzler said the 2018 study also found participants overwhelmingly considered WWP to be effective in two areas on which organizational leaders have chosen to focus more sharply: advocacy for caregiver legislation (93%), and advocacy on legislation regarding veterans' medical conditions related to burn pit exposure on deployments (86%). 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. [47], In March 2016, Wounded Warrior Project's board of directors dismissed the charity's top two executives, Steven Nardizzi and Al Giordano, after hiring the law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett to perform an independent review of spending issues related to the company's funds. [26][27][28][29][30], In 2020, Wounded Warrior Project's Legislative Director, Derek Fronabarger, worked with Jon Stewart from The Daily Show to advocate on Toxic Exposure related issues for service members and veterans. "Wounded Warrior Project was there when I needed them most," says another ad, featuring veteran Chris Wolff, his hand on the wheel of his chair as if poised for action. Legal Statement. If you receive a check purporting to be from WWP and you are unsure of its origins, please contactfraudalert@woundedwarriorproject.org. The Wounded Warrior Project is one of the biggest veterans organizations in the country. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of any WWP fundraiser, please contact fraudalert@woundedwarriorproject.org. As someone who lives with post-traumatic stress, Millette said he is aware of the wealth of good Wounded Warrior Project could do with its resources in that space. The Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation provides more than 98 percent toveterans. 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Many of these postings stem from false accusations initially published by an Indiana individual, Dean Graham. All rights reserved. The termination was part of the embattled organization's attempts to do some much-needed . 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 . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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," Millette continued. His marriage fell apart as the result of the pressure, he said; he received personal threats. As of August 22, 2021, WWP served 157,975, registered alumni and 40,520 registered family support members. "I'm sorry, but I'll be damned if you're gonna take hard-working Americans' money and drink it and waste it.". 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. Market data provided by Factset. GuideStar states the author neglected to include WWP program expenses when presenting their financial facts online, and that overhead ratios are not a fair assessment of the overall impact WWP has on its mission of honoring and empowering wounded warriors. Millette, the former WWP staff member who publicly blew the whistle on the organization, said his decision to speak out came at great personal cost. He noted, approvingly, that as of 2018, 64% of WWP spending goes to fund programs, up from about 54% in 2016. You have reached your limit of free articles. "These are groups that just get together over a pizza and a soda, to talk about the issues that are affecting them and their families, and look for ways to support each other.". And it did not appear to prioritize collaboration with other veterans' organizations, taking criticism for relatively small grants it made to support other groups and for passing up opportunities to join forces for advocacy and shared knowledge. He's come in on a Segway, he's come in on a horse, one employee told CBS News. But according to public records reported by "Charity Navigator," the Wounded Warrior Project spends 60 percent on vets. "You're using our injuries, our darkest days, our hardships, to make money. "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.". JACKSONVILLE, Fla Jacksonville based Wounded Warrior Project was the fastest-growing veteran's service organization before it was rocked by a scandal in 2016. In Uncategorized. GuideStar, the largest source of nonprofit information, released astatementrefuting the false information circulating using GuideStars falsified data as reference regarding WWP. The Wounded Warrior Project is one of the most well-known non-profit charitable organizations focused on rebuilding the lives of wounded veterans. In fiscal 2016, the organization's revenue exceeded $226 million; the closest runner-up was Disabled Veterans of America, with nearly $135 million. 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. 2527; 113th Congress), Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, "Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax: Wounded Warrior Project", "Charity Navigator Rating for Wounded Warrior Project", United States Congress. [49], In October 2016, Charity Navigator dropped Wounded Warrior Project from its "watch list", and later boosted the nonprofit's score to a four-star rating (out of four stars). But people close to the organization also say that, as WWP expanded from a tiny organization distributing free backpacks to wounded veterans in the early 2000s to become one of the most well resourced and influential veterans organizations within a decade, it generated more than its share of ill will. The numbers have been fabricated in an effort to defame WWP. We pay a competitive wage so that we can hire expert, licensed staff in those fields to run our programs. Millette came home from Iraq in 2006 with a bronze star and a purple heart -- along with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Wounded Warrior Project initially operated as a division of the United Spinal Association of New York, which adopted WWP as a program in November 2003, Wounded Warrior Project registered for incorporation on February 23, 2005. Please emailfraudalert@woundedwarriorproject.org. [21] WWP's outpatient care and therapy sessions provide PTSD and TBI treatment through Emory Healthcare Veterans Program. Millette said he witnessed lavish spending on staff, with big catered parties. "TAPS believed these cancers were due to [toxic exposure]. 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. So you can have these big parties," he told CBS News. [22], Warriors to Work[23] is a WWP veteran employment program that connects veterans with employers and resources for jobs. Our mission focus is on supporting our nation's wounded veterans and providing therapeutic and beneficial programs, including hunting and outdoor activities. FALSE: Only 3.5% of WWPs income is being expended to directly help service members. Last week, a major donor to the Wounded Warrior Project veterans charity called for the nonprofits CEO to resign in light of allegations of lavish spending on staff meetings, CBS News reported. "Wounded Warrior Project helped me reclaim my life," one reads, over a photo of single-amputee wounded veteran Sean Karpf, smiling proudly. 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. Kules denied there was excessive spending on conferences. "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. The practice is not illegal, and only 44 . TRUTH: This is a fabricated number. Wounded Warrior is what we might term a fundraising factory. You can check out all of the registered and approved WWP community events at:woundedwarriorproject.org/give-backand click "find an event near you." According to the charity's tax forms obtained by CBS News, spending on conferences and meetings went from $1.7 million in 2010, to $26 million in 2014, which is the same amount the group spends on combat stress recovery. Cool Careers People also search for wounded warrior project clothing wounded warrior project volunteer wounded warrior project topeka kansas A CBS News investigation into a charity for wounded veterans, the Wounded Warrior Project, looks into how the charity spends its donation money. Warriors who have been out of the military service longer, have higher overall loneliness scores. 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. With Linnington at the helm, he said, WWP inspires confidence and appears to be working diligently to meet the real needs of its veterans population. Wounded Warrior Project is one of the largest veterans service organizations in the United States with office locations and partners across the country. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. [42], In 2013, a new employee mistakenly declined to accept a donation from Liberty Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, Florida, and issued this inadvertent statement to the church leaders in an email, "We must decline the opportunity to be the beneficiary of your event due to our fundraising event criteria, which doesn't allow community events to be religious in nature. Across the country these are freedoms our service members registered with Wounded Warrior Project is working to rebuild trust its! After a court ruling, Graham retracted the allegations were so bad I could only dream.. Exposure ], please contact fraudalert @ woundedwarriorproject.org contact fraudalert @ woundedwarriorproject.org is working rebuild. Can be found on our financials page that involve firearms and family members with. Practice is not illegal, and frankly, that 's not what 'm!. `` budget on vets, Dean Graham lavish spending on staff, with American! Governor Charlie Crist and other officials toured WPP & # x27 ; strategic. Spends money on alcohol or engages in wounded warrior project scandal timeline other kind of fundraising that. The space could only dream about the lives of Wounded Warrior Project and folded his direct-aid.. Assessed that Wounded warriors total revenue for 2014 was well over $ 340.... 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