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WWP = wounded warrior project exposed

Mar 21, 2016 10:01AM PDT

You probably already heard about it but 2-executives were fired. That's suppose to be good news but then how did it get that bad. For a public outcry seeking funds to help recent veterans of wounds that sustained in recent combat or conflicts. The whole purpose was admirable but then got struck by so-called professionals that handle these now big league type charities. A true grass roots effort to helps veterans got used for personal gain or lavish parties that got out of hand as time went by. These used funds are now gone and tarnish future efforts and to make certain will impact its future operations. As the article linked here will point out, other charities have been more successful in using funds that support the wounded warrior and not the organization it represents comes from by percentage used for the internal office needs and rest to direct support to veterans. If you don't know by now, then at least question any caller or so-called charity how it uses its funds. Any decent charity usually is 10-15% for own use and the rest for the purpose it was intended for. Semper Fi -----Willy

It burns me up to know that it'll happen again in some other organization, hope not.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-wounded-warrior-project-employee-on-execs-firing-it-feels-good/

Discussion is locked

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I use this site to qualify those I'll give to.
Mar 21, 2016 10:23AM PDT
http://www.charitynavigator.org/

When I look there, however, I don't see that the Wounded Warrior Project is anywhere near the worst of the worst but professional fundraising has become a huge business. These folks are exempted from the national "Do not call" list and I do get a fair number of calls from charities. Most that I actually check out through Charity Navigator...if they're listed at all...don't fair that well. I think the worst ones that call me are those saying they are collecting for police organizations. Some of these are said to have less than 30% of collected funds actually going to aid those for which they are collecting. I don't give money over the phone or through mailings. All that does is generate more phone calls and unwanted mail. If one can and wants to give, pick out organizations you trust and give directly rather than through clearing houses. And, if you can, ask them to not spend any of your donation to solicit you for more.
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An audit showed that
Mar 21, 2016 12:03PM PDT

the money wasn't misspent like they originally believed but because some 'stunts' were pulled regarding advertising (like one of the guys coming down the side of the building on a rope), they felt they needed to get rid of a couple of 'token scapegoats'. I think if the media actually reports correctly that the figures are factual and nothing was stolen or abused that this organization will be okay because they really do good work.

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RE:An audit showed that
Mar 21, 2016 12:31PM PDT
as much as half of its hundreds of millions in donations each year on overhead, including lavish parties

And YOUR "audit" shows

the money wasn't misspent like they originally believed but because some 'stunts' were pulled regarding advertising

Are you talking about the same 'audit" as Willy?

Got a link to your "audit"?
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Did you bother to check my link?
Mar 21, 2016 12:53PM PDT
Wounded Warrior rates 95+% w/83% going to programs

You can look at their top 10 and other lists for comparison. They've not been around that long but their numbers are comparable to those in the top 10 for the most consecutive years. As I said, not anywhere near the worst.

Of course the media will always smell out the few rotten eggs that are among the good. Isn't that what's meant by having a "nose for the news"? Too bad they cannot smell their own selves.
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(NT) I was responding to Toni.
Mar 21, 2016 1:15PM PDT
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I noticed that and it's why
Mar 21, 2016 1:30PM PDT

I posted. It doesn't supply your desire for an audit but it does offer a larger view of this charity as well as how it compares to others. I think that's at least as important as some media excavation project.

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I agree, and the WWP seems to be a worthy organization.
Mar 21, 2016 1:57PM PDT

I've seen some videos of how donations were spend while watching tv...not sure of the name of the organization.

Anytime there are good people doing good things...there will be others taking advantage of the opportunity to do bad things.

Sometimes even within good organizations.

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(NT) So you discount anybody's else's replies?
Mar 21, 2016 1:49PM PDT
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RE:So you discount anybody's else's replies?
Mar 21, 2016 7:09PM PDT

YES!!!!! Most of the time when they make wild *** statements and don't provide any evidence/links to validate/support their claims.

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So, what you are saying is
Mar 22, 2016 2:58AM PDT

that if you respond to my post (or anybody's) and ask a question or demand a response, you want a closed forum where ONLY that person can respond to you?

What 'wild *** statement' did Steven make that you discounted because he responded to you instead of me?

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RE:So, what you are saying is
Mar 22, 2016 3:25AM PDT

Right now...I think I'll say "Good Night, Gracie"

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You don't have to like my source
Mar 21, 2016 1:48PM PDT
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What I think is really a sham
Mar 21, 2016 4:46PM PDT

Those celebrity galas to support causes always bothered me. You have them throwing lavish parties for the A listers who pay for the "privilege" of being seen at a media event with other A listers. They have the best food and wine for their schmooze fest all the while giving the proceeds to some poor folks who may have just lost their homes and families to some disaster. Then we have the rock stars whose primary contribution is their time holding music festivals at huge tickets prices paid by their fans. That money, after promo fees and whatever, goes to some charitable cause but the money actually comes out of the pockets of others than the headliners. Call me what you want but something about this bothers me. If you want to give, do so from your own pocket and do it quietly without fanfare rather than in some spot light.

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Charities and Hollywood
Mar 25, 2016 9:16AM PDT

I'm certain that, that connection of Hollywood and Charities have long been around. It is however, probably never going to go away. As I see it I'm not brothered by it but do see that really behind the scenes needs to be closely looked at. It can certainly go off track or be side-tracked by other powers that need not be known up front sorta speak until to late. many of the charities start out small and become the focal point that starts a far larger charity or concern that getting taken up. One ie: is MADD, which like any charity or organization has grass roots that quickly out grew the founders. The so-called professionals get involved and I'm certain takes on a more business like atmosphere and the nuts and bolts operation changes though it tries to be the friendly face of the person next door. Overall, again I don't see anything wrong with this but if not watched or internally not controlled it bounds to fall-down by person(s) not toeing the charity true nature and take advantage. This can be used on any business or organization that doesn't follow its own rules but with a charity the pain it too keenly felt. -----Willy Happy

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I know charity has become big business
Mar 26, 2016 2:21AM PDT

but I'm appreciative that our tax system allows that we don't need to pay taxes on money earned that goes for charitable causes. I can also see plenty of potential abuse connected to charitable giving that could be fixed. I also know hear the murmurings of changes to the tax code that would disallow deductions and I would like not for that to happen in all cases. Over time, our taxes have been used to support charitable causes that were once done by individuals and organizations entirely in the true spirit of charity. Granted, some of the needy were probably never served well and government may have addressed that issue somewhat but government is not known to be the most efficient at the use of resources. Most of the tax money collected that goes to the needy actually goes to the government employees who distribute that money or provide services. While we are complaining about professional fundraisers, keep in mind that government is the biggest professional fundraiser around.

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(NT) That's what Jesus said to do
Apr 4, 2016 9:34AM PDT
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Jesus said to give benefit concerts
Apr 4, 2016 1:19PM PDT

to raise money for the needy? I don't recall those passages. I do recall one where he praised a poor widow for giving from her need while the wealthier were giving from their excess. Wouldn't that lesson be meaningful when considering a rock star's donation being money from tickets bought to watch him screech and bang on his guitar?

I don't know. Maybe my whole idea of true charity is wrong and that Jesus preferred this be done through well publicised media events.

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Shades of
Apr 5, 2016 1:23AM PDT

televangelists and shows like the Jerry Lewis telethons........much, if not most, of the money donated went to 'expenses to broadcast' or the top of the pyramid.

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Excuse Me?
Mar 21, 2016 7:51PM PDT

From YOUR link.

Graham went on to state that WWP had $115,199,467 in overhead expenses reported on the 2012 IRS Form 990. When in fact the 2012 Form 990 actually shows that WWP’s total expenses (program, administration, and fundraising) were $95,511,549..

So WWP didn't spend $115 million on expenses, it was ONLY $95 MILLION.

Expenses of ONLY $95 MILLION US dollars? I'm impressed.

Here's what I found on Line 25 page 11 of the 2012 tax form.... ......Program service
expenses....... Total functional expenses.....$117,198,737.00 Million
....More than the $95 million being claimed

$117,198,737 in expenses?...I'm even more impressed

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RE:including a court decision
Mar 21, 2016 8:02PM PDT

It was NOT a "court decision" it was a "mutual consent agreement"

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FWIW, the newsmagazine The Week
Apr 14, 2016 2:26PM PDT

writes up a charity in each issue; "each ... has earned a four-star overall rating from Charity Navigator."

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Hey...welcome back, stranger
Apr 14, 2016 5:03PM PDT

Activity here lately has been low. Please say something preposterous just to boost attendance.

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A thousands-years-old, but timely, scripture:
Apr 29, 2016 9:35AM PDT

Job 34:19,20

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an obscure verse
Apr 29, 2016 8:21PM PDT

explain what your understanding of it is please.

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I understand it from scriptural training.
May 5, 2016 12:55PM PDT

We've already learned you don't accept that.

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An out of context sound bite from
May 5, 2016 5:16PM PDT

a long discussion related to subjects such as reward and punishment, suffering and its reasons, and a rebuke of certain notions, etc. Perhaps, as well, a reminder that God shows no favorites among the world of princes and paupers. Long essays are available for one's reading pleasure.

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Verse 20, especially,
Jun 8, 2016 10:06AM PDT

applied to a Prince who died unexpectedly at the time.