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Wounded Warrior Project fires 2 executives amid accusations
Rafael Nash | Saturday, March 12, 2016
The board of the Wounded Warriors Project, a national veterans advocacy group that has come under criticism for its handling of donations and spending, has ousted two top executives following an independent review of its finances.
The review confirmed numerous findings by the New York Times and CBS, according to a news release from the public relations firm, and the board has instituted changes to limit first-class travel, track changes and increase accountability. According to those reports, Wounded Warrior Project spends 40 to 50 percent of its money on overhead - including extravagant parties - while other veterans charities have overhead costs of 10 to 15 percent.
Earlier this month, WWP officials testified about group operations and policy before the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs committees, noting that all its programs are free because "we believe the injured veterans we serve paid their dues on the battlefield".
Of the millions of dollars in donations received each year by Wounded Warrior Project, just 54 to 60 percent actually goes to vets, CBS News reported.
Nardizzi has defended the charity's spending.
"They are really going to have to re-prove themselves over the next couple of years", Hillgren says.
The office will be led by board chairman Anthony Odierno and senior members of the existing executive team.
According to the IRS reports, the charity took in $800 milliion over the last six years, while also paying some of the highest salaries, to many more people, than some other big nonprofits.
"It is now time to put the organization's focus directly back on the men and women who have so bravely fought for our country and who need our support", Odierno said. He spent almost a decade at the United Spinal Association before coming to the Wounded Warrior Project in 2006 with a corporate leadership style that catapulted the organization to the top ranks of US charities.
"But while the money was pouring in, it was also flowing out on lavish employee conferences - $26 million in 2014".
Compensation accounted for $32 million, or 13 percent of the group's spending that year.
Also, the group has built up a seeming war chest in reserves worth $248 million, mainly held in investments.
Watchdog group Charity Navigator reports WWP spent about 59.9 percent of its budget on programs and services for wounded veterans in 2014, compared to about 98 percent by another veterans charity, the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. Charity watchdogs say it's OK to keep a rainy-day fund, but the money should go as much as possible to the mission.
Wounded Warrior Project denied those numbers in its statement, which was sent to NBC News from PR firm Abernathy MacGregor.
"Many donors have supported the WWP from its humble inception and have every right to be angry about the lack of stewardship shown by the immediate past leadership of WWP", Melia said in a statement. WWP claims that figure is now up to 80 percent
Rafael Nash | Saturday, March 12, 2016
The board of the Wounded Warriors Project, a national veterans advocacy group that has come under criticism for its handling of donations and spending, has ousted two top executives following an independent review of its finances.
The review confirmed numerous findings by the New York Times and CBS, according to a news release from the public relations firm, and the board has instituted changes to limit first-class travel, track changes and increase accountability. According to those reports, Wounded Warrior Project spends 40 to 50 percent of its money on overhead - including extravagant parties - while other veterans charities have overhead costs of 10 to 15 percent.
Earlier this month, WWP officials testified about group operations and policy before the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs committees, noting that all its programs are free because "we believe the injured veterans we serve paid their dues on the battlefield".
Of the millions of dollars in donations received each year by Wounded Warrior Project, just 54 to 60 percent actually goes to vets, CBS News reported.
Nardizzi has defended the charity's spending.
"They are really going to have to re-prove themselves over the next couple of years", Hillgren says.
The office will be led by board chairman Anthony Odierno and senior members of the existing executive team.
According to the IRS reports, the charity took in $800 milliion over the last six years, while also paying some of the highest salaries, to many more people, than some other big nonprofits.
"It is now time to put the organization's focus directly back on the men and women who have so bravely fought for our country and who need our support", Odierno said. He spent almost a decade at the United Spinal Association before coming to the Wounded Warrior Project in 2006 with a corporate leadership style that catapulted the organization to the top ranks of US charities.
"But while the money was pouring in, it was also flowing out on lavish employee conferences - $26 million in 2014".
Compensation accounted for $32 million, or 13 percent of the group's spending that year.
Also, the group has built up a seeming war chest in reserves worth $248 million, mainly held in investments.
Watchdog group Charity Navigator reports WWP spent about 59.9 percent of its budget on programs and services for wounded veterans in 2014, compared to about 98 percent by another veterans charity, the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. Charity watchdogs say it's OK to keep a rainy-day fund, but the money should go as much as possible to the mission.
Wounded Warrior Project denied those numbers in its statement, which was sent to NBC News from PR firm Abernathy MacGregor.
"Many donors have supported the WWP from its humble inception and have every right to be angry about the lack of stewardship shown by the immediate past leadership of WWP", Melia said in a statement. WWP claims that figure is now up to 80 percent
