wounded warrior project scandal timeline

No. [4][5] WWP has also previously provided a year-long Track program, which helped veterans transition to college and the workplace. Already, more than $6.9 million in grants has been awarded for this fiscal year. January 26, 2016 / 7:06 PM 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. The organization slashed all-hands training costs from $987,000 in 2016 to $110,000 in 2019 for a staff of nearly 700, according to numbers provided to Military.com, in direct response to public criticism. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "That report also made clear that the Wounded Warrior Project had made some positive steps to regain the public's trust. Previous reporting from Tim Mak, then at the Daily Beast, had detailed similar claims, but the reports published in January pushed the issue to critical mass. "I have zero regrets, and I would do it again," he said. The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is the largest veteran's charity in the United States. In September 2016, Forbes published a pre-emptive obituary to the organization: "The Gutting Of Wounded Warrior: How To Kill A Charity.". Hearing that there was this waste of money, donor dollars that should have been going to servicemen and women that were injured, and that it was spent on [Wounded Warrior Project staff] having a good timeits a real disappointment, Dianne Kane told CBS News. It also reported claims of work environment coercion, and multiple terminations. 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. [31], On May 27, 2014, Wounded Warrior Project filed a lawsuit against Dean Graham, a disabled veteran with PTSD, and his Help Indiana Vets, Inc. "Their mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors, but what the public doesn't see is how they spend their money," said Army Staff Sergeant Erick Millette. During the exchange, Porter went on to accuse the staffer of giving her COVID-19, refusing to let her . "I find it frustrating when you see these solicitations, and they ask you to help a needy veteran, and you look into the finance and see most of the money is actually being spent educating the public that injured veterans have needs, rather than meeting the needs.". Besides devastating both donors and wounded veterans, this news could undercut public support for the nonprofit sector as a whole. His report slammed the organization for not being transparent with donors about tens of millions that had been placed in reserve and not spent; and for "excessive" amounts of money spent on travel, fundraising and staff activities. 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? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, JACKSONVILLE, Fla Jacksonville based Wounded Warrior Project was the fastest-growing veteran's service organization before it was rocked by a scandal in 2016. "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. 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. 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. In 2016, the organization was rocked by allegations of lavish spending that resulted in the firing of two top executives- CEO Steven Nardizzi and COO Al Giordano. In fiscal 2016, the organization's revenue exceeded $226 million; the closest runner-up was Disabled Veterans of America, with nearly $135 million. "Donors don't want you to have a $2,500 bar tab. 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. WWP pays only its vendors, contractors, and legitimate employees, and does not send unsolicited checks in the mail. [25], The Government Affairs team advocates for legislation that helps veterans and their supporters. 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. Donors don't want you to fly every staff member once a year to some five-star resort and whoop it up and call it team building," said Millette. [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. Since then, however, the rate of investment has grown substantially. A nger and dismay greeted the announcement last week that the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit that helps wounded veterans, had fired its top staff. [16], Wounded Warrior Project registered for incorporation on February 23, 2005. His marriage fell apart as the result of the pressure, he said; he received personal threats. Descriptions of our programs can be found. WWP does not advertise for jobs or services of any kind via Craigslist. For more on veteran and military family charitable solicitations, visit:consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0121-charitable-solicitations-vet-military-families. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Every month in 2021, more than 1,277 warriors and family members registered with Wounded Warrior Project to receive our free programs and services. 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 information circulating states: The CEOs salary is set by our board of directors and is in line with other national charity CEO salaries. 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. 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. "I'm sorry, but I'll be damned if you're gonna take hard-working Americans' money and drink it and waste it.". WWP does not authorize use of its trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos, domain names, and other distinctive brand features without prior approval. [18] as well as a search tool to access information about other VSOs. But Linnington maintains it's not just about the bottom line for him. The WWP headquarters underwent a major $1.3 million renovation according to the Jacksonville Business Journal. Melia assembled backpacks distributed to injured veterans at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Follow the links below to view the court documents. Be able to be able to provide the best quality services.". 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. WWP does not utilize crowdfunding sites to accept donations. 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 . First published on January 26, 2016 / 7:06 PM. "Four years ago, I would have told you to keep your money in your pocket and take it somewhere else," he said. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The WWP Fisher House devotes 91 percent. 65,696. attendees of our Invincible Spirit Festivals since 2012. ", 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". Religion and Technology Should Unite for the Greater Good, The 25 Defining Works of the Black Renaissance. "And secondly, with the American people who support our warriors.". 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%). Now, they're doing that follow-up, and they have the capacity to deal with the mental health issues," he said. " Market data provided by Factset. Peter J. Johnson Jr on the firing of WWP's CEO and COO. 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. There are several defamatory blog postings on the internet along with various email chains which claim WWP is a scam. 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. His salary can be found on our 990, available on our financials page. [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). We recognize these are freedoms our service members fought and sacrificed to protect. Our salaries are consistent with industry standards and have often fallen at the lower end of compensation paid at comparable organizations. This helps prevent another common thinking error called scope neglect, in which our brains fail to ensure that our emotions correspond to the actual impact made by our donations. [33] In 2016 and 2017, however, subsequent investigations by a Jacksonville, FL television station and the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee found that WWP "'inaccurately' reported the money it spent on veterans programs by using 'inflated' numbers and 'misleading' advertisements. In an effort to narrow its focus, WWP has dropped some efforts in favor of supporting other organizations that specialize. "Their mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors, but what the public doesn't see is how they spend their money," he said. So you can have these big parties," he told CBS News. Our mission focus is on supporting our nation's wounded veterans and providing therapeutic and beneficial programs, including hunting and outdoor activities. Wounded Warrior Project is one of the largest veterans service organizations in the United States with office locations and partners across the country. "It's like walking through a minefield, donating to an efficient veterans charity," he said. About 500 staff members attended the four-day conference in Colorado, which CBS News reported cost about $3 million. 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. Ideally, though, the ratio should be higher. One employee was quoted as calling it "extremely extravagant. 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. FALSE: Only 3.5% of WWPs income is being expended to directly help service members. 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. Such unjustified distrust of high-quality nonprofits could undermine our society. "We wrap our arms around those that want to help veterans now, versus looking to protect our brand at every inch and ounce of measure," he said. FALSE: That WWP reported $115,199,467 in overhead expenses on our 2012 IRS Form 990. [53] According to Charity Navigator, WWP allocates 75.1 percent of its revenue to program expenses and 24.7 percent to fundraising and administrative expenses. That said, there are clear indications that the organization is improving its financial practices. (2015). Kaine, in the recent interview, also questioned Nardizzis apparent public absence while his organization has been under scrutiny. [13][14][15] Several former employees alleged that they were fired because they raised concerns over the mismanagement. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. On June 1, 2009, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and other officials toured WPP's headquarters and signed Florida . Among the organizations receiving grants, eight are first-time recipients. Despite the recent removal of many articles originating the false information, rumors and falsehoods continue to circulate and surface online. You have reached your limit of free articles. In 2014, afederal court judgmentwas entered against Graham permanently enjoining him from making defamatory statements about WWP. Former employees say spending has skyrocketed since Steven Nardizzi took over as CEO in 2009. [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. "Going to a nice fancy restaurant is not team building. WWP strives to provide our warriors with high-touch, comprehensive support in the areas of mental health, physical health, education and employment. "I was always grateful for that mission," Linnington said. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of any event or fundraiser claiming to benefit WWP, please [email protected]. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles, The Wounded Warrior Project Scandal Should Encourage More Philanthropy. ET. In fact, they are one of the largest programs out there for wounded veterans. He noted approvingly that the organization has hired more mental health professionals to do follow-up with wounded warriors, and invested dynamically in meeting the needs of female veterans. Market data provided by Factset. The. Our mission focus is on supporting our nation's wounded veterans and providing therapeutic and beneficial programs, including hunting and outdoor activities. 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. 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. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. History of Math By: Donella Austin. The veterans charity group fired CEO Steven Nardizzi and COO Al Giordano late last week, following a January. Slightly more than half of the Kanes' donations directly benefitted veterans, according to CBS News. Why do the misdeeds of one nonprofit cause mistrust of all nonprofits? 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. "He rappelled down the side of a building at one of the all hands events. But investigations revealed that the organization spent millions of donor dollars on first-class airfare, employee retreats and extravagant salaries. The truth is that WWP directly operates over 20 programs and services to support service members and their families and the vast majority of our program expenditures constitute those internally-operated programs. We knew VVA had done pioneering work on Agent Orange, so we created a collaborative grant to pair them with TAPS to start gathering data on [toxic exposure] and to help ensure trans-generational knowledge transfer from the Vietnam-era generation of veterans to today's post-9/11 generation.". 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. On Tuesday, CBS News ran a story about the Wounded Warrior Project, claiming to have interviewed over 40 former employees who stated that spending was out of control at the organization. Board chairman Anthony Odierno was announced as temporarily taking control of the charity. 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. Millette came home from Iraq in 2006 with a bronze star and a purple heart -- along with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Sign up for our email newsletter and get the latest info on events, fundraisers and ways to make an impact. In January, Charity Navigator, a group that oversees nonprofit organizations, placed Wounded Warrior Project on its watch list, Fox News reported, citing a separate CBS report. The programs it did create for veterans often served more as showpieces for marketing than as efforts to address the actual needs of veterans. 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. 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. "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.". Wounded Warrior Project declined CBS News' repeated interview requests for Nardizzi, but offered their Director of Alumni and a recipient of their services, Captain Ryan Kules. The Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation provides more than 98 percent toveterans. [2], As of August 22, 2021, WWP served 157,975, registered alumni and 40,520 registered family support members. [6] In January 2017 The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance renewed its accreditation of WWP, for the next two years, as meeting the 20 standards for charity accountability. CBS News spoke to more than 40 former employees who described a charity where spending was out of control. 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