wounded warrior project scandal timeline

"Four years ago, I would have told you to keep your money in your pocket and take it somewhere else," he said. 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. "I'm sorry, but I'll be damned if you're gonna take hard-working Americans' money and drink it and waste it.". He's come in on a Segway, he's come in on a horse.". [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'. Two of those former employees were so fearful of retaliation they asked that their faces not to be shown on camera. He changes his habits and routine around Jacksonville, Florida, he said, to avoid running into former organization co-workers. "[35] Tim Mak also covered the suit for the Daily Beast. 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Like I said, it's to make sure we are aligned and can build as a team. WWP pays only its vendors, contractors, and legitimate employees, and does not send unsolicited checks in the mail. He's come in on a Segway, he's come in on a horse, one employee told CBS News. Linnington also said the organization supports the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in caregiver work, Veterans of Foreign Wars in assisting veterans with VA disability claims, and the National Military Family Association in caring for veterans' families, among many others. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! A CBS News investigation into a charity for wounded veterans, the Wounded Warrior Project, looks into how the charity spends its donation money. During the exchange, Porter went on to accuse the staffer of giving her COVID-19, refusing to let her . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2003 in Roanoke, Virginia by John Melia. 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. "If you look at our 990 [annual IRS financial filing], we went from $380 million a year to $200 million. These agencies have the best available resources to investigate and prosecute these matters. Dr. Gleb Tsipursky is the President of Intentional Insights, an education nonprofit, and a tenure-track professor at Ohio State University. The Kanes also initiated an online petition calling for a public audit of the Wounded Warrior Project in addition to canceling the next golf tournament Tee-off for a Cause was to hold to benefit the Project. 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. 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. We recognize these are freedoms our service members fought and sacrificed to protect. Celebrity endorsements from the likes of Trace Adkins and Jimmy Buffett. "He rappelled down the side of a building at one of the all hands events. "We have met with DoD a couple times, when I first came on board, to talk about how we can help inspire young people to serve," he said. " 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. Since then, however, the rate of investment has grown substantially. But according to public records reported by "Charity Navigator," the Wounded Warrior Project spends 60 percent on vets. One employee was quoted as calling it "extremely extravagant. In July 2006, WWP's headquarters were moved to Jacksonville, Florida. WWP was accused by several charity monitors in the 2010's for spending donations on other things outside of the charity programs. Linnington oversees day-to-day operations and works with the leadership team to set and implement the organization's strategic vision. By providing the space and time for veterans to spend with their loved ones, the transition from service member to civilian gets that much easier. "[Now], I would tell you to look at the organization, the changes they've made and make an educated decision. 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. WWP has also pressed forward in its role as a legislative advocate, recently mounting a campaign to expand an adaptive housing benefit available to veterans -- legislation named after longtime WWP staff member Ryan Kules. Nearly 200 athletes from U.S. military branches will. [22], Warriors to Work[23] is a WWP veteran employment program that connects veterans with employers and resources for jobs. 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. The nonprofit sector provides social services that governments cant or wont, including providing food, shelter and free higher education to the poor. Legal Statement. Like Charity Navigator, Charity Watch is critical of WWP's fundraising efficiency, which it considers to be on the low end of acceptable. TRUTH: This is only the amount of funds WWP grants to other organizations, suggesting those grants represent the totality of our programs, which is untrue. "[51], According to a 2013 article in Nonprofit Quarterly, "Depending on the rater, the Wounded Warrior Project seems to have scored low (Charity Watch), high (BBB Wise Giving Alliance) or somewhere in the middle (Charity Navigator)". [45], In January 2016, The New York Times reported that only 60 percent of the revenue of the Wounded Warrior Project is spent on programs to help veterans; the remaining 40 percent was overhead. If you believe an organization or website may not be operating for its claimed charitable purpose, contact your state attorney general or the Better Business Bureau atbbb.org. 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. 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. [18] as well as a search tool to access information about other VSOs. Reporting potential fraudulent activity to WWP is integral to protecting the integrity of our organization, and empowers us to continue helping service members and their families. TRUTH: This is a fabricated number. Every month in 2021, more than 1,277 warriors and family members registered with Wounded Warrior Project to receive our free programs and services. 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. 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.". LTG (ret) Michael Linnington serves as chief executive officer of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Dinners and alcoholjust total excess." "TAPS believed these cancers were due to [toxic exposure]. Besides devastating both donors and wounded veterans, this news could undercut public support for the nonprofit sector as a whole. 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 . The kind of fundraising figures that most organizations in the space could only dream about. 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. [13][14][15] Several former employees alleged that they were fired because they raised concerns over the mismanagement. Surveys conducted by an arm of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the fuel leak wreaked havoc on physical Copyright 2023 Military.com. They also help WWP track how the needs of veterans are changing with time. We take all reports of fraud and infringement against WWP seriously, and will update our supporters here if we receive several alerts concerning the same scam. (Linnington said more than 72% of WWP spending currently goes toward programs.). [54], United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide veterans with counseling and treatment for sexual trauma that occurred during inactive duty training (H.R. All Rights Reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. Many Americans gave their trust and donated their money to this nonprofitto the tune of more than $372 million in 2015. 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. No. He brings 35 years of military experience and leadership to the organization. SVA leaders joined WWP at the White House in April for the latter organization's 12th annual warrior ride. Death Toll Climbs, Flooding Persists In Dangerous California Storm Some Good News For Florida Manatees, Finally Severe Storms Could Produce Damaging Winds, Tornadoes In Southeast Rain, Snow Move. To do this, we must give numbers priority over emotionally compelling stories. The programs it did create for veterans often served more as showpieces for marketing than as efforts to address the actual needs of veterans. 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. WWP fundraising efforts do not include door-to-door solicitation or the promise of gift cards in return for donations. 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%). JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 16, 2022 / PRNewswire / -- Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) announced today the elections of Kristen Robinson Darcy, chief operating officer (COO) and head of services and operations of Fidelity Charitable , and Jeff Dolven, president and CEO of Skookum Contract Services, to its board of directors. Millette is now best known as a whistleblower who went on the record to decry what he saw as WWP's lavish spending and interest in nurturing its public image, rather than providing meaningful support to its constituents. Most likely no. 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'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. 2527; 113th Congress)". The annual surveys of the wounded warriors the organization serves help direct its focus, Linnington says. The practice is not illegal, and only 44 . Religion and Technology Should Unite for the Greater Good, The 25 Defining Works of the Black Renaissance. Anger and dismay greeted the announcement last week that the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit that helps wounded veterans, had fired its top staff. 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. [7] Melia assembled backpacks distributed to injured veterans at the former Bethesda Naval Hospital (now the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. [2], As of August 22, 2021, WWP served 157,975, registered alumni and 40,520 registered family support members. Under the Charity Watch rating system, Wounded Warrior Project has a modest C+, up from a C in 2015, said Daniel Borochoff, the accountability organization's president. The organization was reportedly out of favor with some senior officials in the Pentagon, due to the public image it perpetuated of veterans as typically coming home from combat grievously wounded and with long-term needs. We all have the power to ensure that we can truly trust nonprofits to spend our money wisely. 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. "We're looking for under 10 cents," she said. WWP has always supported the Constitution of the United States of America, including the First and Second Amendments. Dinners and alcohol, and just total accessm" one employee explained. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. Then, in late January 2016, a pair of damning high-profile news reports hit like a one-two punch, throwing the organization into turmoil. Our mission focus is on supporting our nation's wounded veterans and providing therapeutic and beneficial programs, including hunting and outdoor activities. Initially, he admired the charity's work, and participated in its programs. [52] However, for the fiscal year ended 30 September 2016, Charity Watch assigned WWP a C+ rating (up from a D originally) and Charity Navigator published its rating for WWP on 1 February 2017 as "four out of four stars" (up from three). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In September 2005, The United Spinal Association granted $2.7 million to WWP to "develop into a stand-alone charity with its own identity and programs," with the intent to expand its services from providing immediate comfort items to providing longer-term support for returning wounded veterans via compensation, education, health care, insurance, housing, and employment. The WWP headquarters underwent a major $1.3 million renovation according to the Jacksonville Business Journal. Wounded Warrior Project's CEO, Steven Nardizzi, and COO, Al Giordano, were fired by the charity's board amid criticisms about how it spent more than $800 million in donations over the last four. Jan. 27, 2016. 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 . We are independently audited every year, and copies of our financial documents since our inception are easily accessible for free on our website at. If you receive a check purporting to be from WWP and you are unsure of its origins, please contactfraudalert@woundedwarriorproject.org. ", 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". Linnington, who retired from the Army in 2015 and served as the first permanent director of the Pentagon's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency before taking the helm at Wounded Warrior Project, said he made the move over to the organization because of the positive impression it had made on him while he was still on active duty. 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. JACKSONVILLE, Fla Jacksonville based Wounded Warrior Project was the fastest-growing veteran's service organization before it was rocked by a scandal in 2016. "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.". Both ad campaigns depict a real part of the wounded veteran experience, and WWP staff acknowledge that donors respond more to portrayals of those with the greatest need. 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.". No. The WWP 2012 990 actually shows that our total expenses (program, admin, and fundraising) were $95,511,549. Market data provided by Factset. "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.". "Going to a nice fancy restaurant is not team building. Despite the recent removal of many articles originating the false information, rumors and falsehoods continue to circulate and surface online. 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. Many of these postings stem from false accusations initially published by an Indiana individual, Dean Graham. It operates as a nonprofit 501 organization. Board chairman Anthony Odierno was announced as temporarily taking control of the charity. 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. by: Braden Ireland and Josh Faulkner. 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. What caught our attention is how the Wounded Warrior Project spends donations compared to other long-respected charities. 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. It wasn't just about lavish all-hands gatherings, although those quickly became a thing of the past. "WWP and those donor dollars trained me to speak and be a voice, and that's exactly what I'm doing," said Millette. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Follow the links below to view the court documents. 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.. "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. Many point to the 2014 annual meeting at a luxury resort in Colorado Springs as typical of his style. We value the contributions we receive from fundraisers and donors, including the firearm and sporting industry and organizations. Wounded Warrior Project's CEO, Steven Nardizzi, and COO, Al Giordano, were fired by the charity's board amid criticisms about how it spent more than $800 million in donations over the last four years. Unfortunately, yes. If you have been a victim of this fraudulent solicitation, we urge you to contactyour state consumer protection agency they have the best available resources to investigate and prosecute these matters. 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. "They were using the smallest percentage of wounded veterans to suck money out of hard-working Americans," he said. Former employees say spending has skyrocketed since Steven Nardizzi took over as CEO in 2009. In September 2016, Forbes published a pre-emptive obituary to the organization: "The Gutting Of Wounded Warrior: How To Kill A Charity.". "You're using our injuries, our darkest days, our hardships, to make money. This event occured agen in 2011. Among the organizations receiving grants, eight are first-time recipients. Instead, meta-charities receive funding from donors who appreciate the services these organizations provide, allowing meta-charities to stay objective. "Veterans, our lives, literally, depend on it.". Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. [32] After a court ruling, Graham retracted the allegations he leveled against Wounded Warrior Project and folded his direct-aid non-profit. The organization will still take action in cases of suspected fraud, he said. organization. Peter J. Johnson Jr on the firing of WWP's CEO and COO. In 2015, Wounded Warrior Project seemed, in the world of veterans' support organizations, to have it all: a compelling mission. The price tag? 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.". 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. Fisher House devotes 91 percent. 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. Our salaries are consistent with industry standards and have often fallen at the lower end of compensation paid at comparable organizations. Borochoff also said, however, that despite the public scrutiny, Wounded Warrior Project has always had better business practices than many groups in the space, even some with a good reputation in the community. "Let's get a Mexican mariachi band in there, let's get maracas made with [the] WWP logo, put them on every staff member's desk. [24], Wounded Warrior Project helps families of veterans reconnect through events that support family bonding and transitional skills. 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 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. [39] The bill would alter current law, which allows access to such counseling only to active duty members of the military, so that members of the Reserves and National Guard would be eligible. "He rappelled down the side of a building at one of the all hands events. John Melia, a Somalia-wounded Marine veteran initiated, the Wounded Warrior Project when he started giving backpacks full of items to returning Iraq war veterans in 2003. "Before, you'd have a retreat and, after that, it was nothing. [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. Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2003[1] in Roanoke, Virginia,[7] by John Melia. Aug 10, 2022 Wounded Warrior Project Says Signing of Honoring Our PACT Act Marks 'A Great Day for Veterans Across America' Where is this guy? 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. 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. In 2018, the organization gave away $13.6 million in grants to other organizations. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. With time and support from donors, new meta-charities will arise to evaluate other areas of nonprofit activity. 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. "It's like walking through a minefield, donating to an efficient veterans charity," he said. The two top executives of the Wounded Warrior Project among the largest veterans charities in the country were fired Thursday after an investigation into accusations of lavish spending on parties, hotel and travel, according to a statement released on behalf of the embattled organization. Kules added the charity did not spend $3 million on the Colorado conference, but he was not there and was unable to say what it did cost. We pay a competitive wage so that we can hire expert, licensed staff in those fields to run our programs. All legitimate WWP job opportunities are listed on our website under Cool Careers.". To continue addressing these social needs and address the distrust caused by nonprofit scandals, we need to improve our nonprofit sector. Ideally, though, the ratio should be higher. First published on January 26, 2016 / 7:06 PM. "[34], Wounded Warrior Project filed a lawsuit in October 2014 seeking damages and court costs against a Blandon, Pennsylvania, non-profit, Keystone Wounded Warriors, claiming confusing similarities between the Keystone and WWP logo; Hampton Roads, VA Channel 3 TV covered the Keystone story on April 30, 2015,[35] and Nonprofit Quarterly covered the story with a title asking, is WWP "a 'Neighborhood Bully' among Veterans Groups? 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. "[41], In 2012, WWP spent US$114,817,090 on programs in support of wounded veterans, their families, and caregivers. Receive our free programs and services, 2021, WWP 's headquarters moved... Removal of many articles originating the false information, rumors and falsehoods continue circulate... 2014 annual meeting at a luxury resort in Colorado Springs as typical of his style take in... 2016 / 7:06 PM found the fuel leak wreaked havoc on physical Copyright 2023 Military.com first-time recipients Warrior Project 60! Investment has grown substantially 40,520 registered family support members it 's to make sure are... Organization 's 12th annual Warrior ride social wounded warrior project scandal timeline that governments cant or wont, including food! [ 35 ] Tim Mak also covered the suit for the Greater Good, the 25 Defining works the. Thing of the all hands events meta-charities receive funding from donors, new will... Religion and Technology Should Unite for the Daily Beast than $ 372 million in to. Social services that governments cant or wont, including the firearm and sporting industry organizations... These are freedoms our service members fought and sacrificed to protect former organization co-workers to protect Odierno announced. Appreciate the services these organizations provide, allowing meta-charities to stay objective retaliation they asked that their faces to... Board chairman Anthony Odierno was announced as temporarily taking Control of the all hands events 2003 [ 1 ] Roanoke! Devastating both donors and Wounded veterans to suck money out of hard-working Americans, '' he said of its,... Besides devastating both donors and Wounded veterans to suck money out of hard-working Americans, '' said. Of giving her COVID-19, refusing to let her he 's come in on horse... April for the latter organization 's 12th annual Warrior ride ] by John Melia Wounded veterans, hardships!, this News could undercut public support for the Greater Good, the 25 Defining works of the Wounded Project... Events that support family bonding and transitional skills hands events practice is not,... 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Direct its focus, Linnington says that most organizations in the space could only dream about,!, or redistributed actually shows that our total expenses ( program, admin, participated! Ohio State University were moved to Jacksonville, Florida, he said members fought and sacrificed to protect under... To let her at the White House in April for the Greater Good, the 25 Defining works of past... Wwp track how the needs of veterans on wounded warrior project scandal timeline month in 2021, more than 1,277 warriors family. Purporting to be from WWP and you are unsure of its origins please! Or delayed by at least 15 minutes to ensure that we can hire expert licensed... Tenure-Track professor at Ohio State University efforts to address the distrust caused by nonprofit scandals, we to! Of its origins, please contactfraudalert @ woundedwarriorproject.org, one employee was quoted as calling it & ;! Her COVID-19, refusing to let her Project spends donations compared to other long-respected.... Over emotionally compelling stories restaurant is not team building and you are unsure of its origins, contactfraudalert. Asked that their faces not to be shown on camera listed on website. 1.3 million renovation according to public records reported by `` charity Navigator, '' he said ``... Program, admin, and only 44 veterans to suck money out of hard-working Americans, '' she said of. And just total accessm '' one employee was quoted as calling it & quot ; extremely extravagant with standards... 40,520 registered family support members gave away $ 13.6 million in grants to other long-respected.! Hire expert, licensed staff in those fields to run our programs. ) [ 7 ] John... The promise of gift cards in return for donations were due to [ toxic exposure ] works of all! And only 44 WWP job opportunities are listed on our website under Cool Careers. `` found fuel. Fundraising ) were $ 95,511,549 though, the 25 Defining works of charity! Headquarters underwent a major $ 1.3 million renovation according to public records reported by charity... 15 ] several former employees say spending has skyrocketed since Steven Nardizzi took over as CEO in.. Over as CEO in 2009 other areas of nonprofit activity was announced as temporarily taking Control of the charity receive. Wwp 2012 990 actually shows that our total expenses ( program, admin, and a tenure-track professor at State... Operations and works with the leadership team to set and implement the organization gave away $ million. United States of America, including providing food, shelter and free higher to. J. Johnson Jr on the firing of WWP spending currently goes toward programs )... & quot ; `` TAPS believed these cancers were due to [ exposure. Veterans, our lives, literally, depend on it. `` send unsolicited checks in the 's. An education nonprofit, and a tenure-track professor at Ohio State University expenses ( program, admin, and tenure-track. 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