Wounded Warrior Project

They have spent every dime we donated on further solicitation for more donations. We receive at least one item per month, if not per week, with address stickers, a note pad, or other frivolous items that we do not want. I cannot imagine that a very large portion of our donation actually went to support veterans. I've tried to opt out of their mailing list using their website's guidance, but this process gets you nowhere.

I made one donation and asked for them to not put me on the mailing list or to sell my information. Well hundreds of peices of mail and hours on hold later it's clear they did not respect my privacy.

I called with details to donate a complete wheel chair ramp. I did not even receive a courtesy call back that they were not interested. I was very explicit, that I wanted a call back so I could call other organizations that might want/need a complete wheel chair ramp for free.

I am very disappointed with Wounded Warriors. I have supported Veterans groups my entire adult life, and felt that this organization deserved my support as well. Not anymore.
A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine chose WW as his Facebook fundraiser. Not only did I donate to it, I also shared it with my Friends list. Big mistake!
Since then, WW has inundated my IM box with questions and requests, wanting to know how my fundraiser is going (not my fundraiser), will I be interested in continuing to fundraise, etc.
I immediately responded with the truth, but that was a waste of time. More IM s. I finally just responded with No, I will not be Fundraising again. But I just keep getting the same annoying, harassing e-trash.
I will NEVER send Wounded Warriors another dime. The Gary Senise Foundation will get my Veterans donation dollars from now on.
No nonprofit should EVER behave worse than an online vendor. Shame on you WW!

Update this website. It only reflects from 2016
Rachael Gagliardi 7/1/19

Imagine how effective This Org could be if they got more $$ to the project instead of their huge overhead. There are many organization out there for the Vets that are so much more effective. Do your research before giving. I am giving for a friend who thinks you are great, sad.

I gave 20.00 to Wounded Warriors in April. Today they took unauthorized money from my Visa which they must have kept the number, for 50.00. Do not give to this scam! I have notified the authorities.

my cousin died on my birthbay last year march 24 2016

Received my 2016 Membership card today. Guess there record keeping has not improved much because I canceled my membership and my $19.99 deduction to them back in early March . Since 2013 I have been paying to a Project which I thought was for the Wounded Warriors. However, I then find out that no my donation has been paying for fancy hotel stays, HIGH income for management and big wild parties which I do not believe helped any of our wounded warriors. As a 26 year Air Force Retiree, I still cannot understand how Executives can take money and not spend the bulk of the donations on the warriors it was intended for. instead they spend little on the Warriors and the Bulk on THEMSELVES. They will receive no further dollars from me, and I hope the new blood they have hired to replace those terminated will get back to full help for our Warriors.

Contacted WWP and Underarmor supplier branded (logo) apparel. Asked WWP not to show prosthetics which were supplied by the VA not WWP. In my note explained that a real charity would have brought suit in criminal or civil litigation. The board of directors should resign for failure of oversight, breach of fiduciary duty. Underarmor only response was that one day a month the open there gym to WWP. When asked what was there profit on clothing branded WWP and advertised in the vets shown in commercials. No response as to $ cost of catering/limos rental at $1000.00 per person fund raiser on USS Intrid. If the charity was honest they would openly discuss problems. What they did was hire public relations firm and lawyers to white wash a probably fraud. Worst of all disservice to our vets. This my personal opinion.

Can no longer trust the site great nonprofits! They did not see the fraud wounded warriors were pulling. They are no just like the fake bond rating agencies. Don't trust them! Give local so you know it helps!

IS ANYONE RUNNING THE GREAT NON-PROFITS WEBSITE, EVEN READING THE REVIEWS PEOPLE SUBMIT?? MASSIVE EMBEZZLEMENT, SUED MULTIPLE TIMES, PRESIDENT FORCED TO RESIGN BY COURT ORDER... HOW TF IS THIS SCAM STILL ON THE LIST?? EFF THIS!

Scam!!!!! Do not donate to this scam. They are corrupt.

This sleazy organization has been caught red-handed using the hard-earned money of good people (and my now deceased mother who parted with some of her Social Security check each month) to throw lavish parties, to stay in luxury hotels and basically party like they were celebrities. Hell has a special place waiting for them.

Two top executives were forced to resign due to waste of millions of dollars on first-class airfare and lavish parties. They should be prosecuted and exposed so that every vet knows their names and faces. The worst kind of hypocrisy.

Wow- I can't believe this place needlessly wasted millions of dollars in donations on extravagant conferences and parties. It's shameful and disgusting and I'll never donate again. DO NOT DONATE TO THIS SCAM ORGANIZATION.

I have read an article on the Wounded Warrior Project. it is the biggest veteran service organization. it took in at least $300 million in 2015. However, it's overheads and fundraising cost are over 40% of it's revenues. The Marine foundation's overhead is less than ten percent. That was reason I had ceased to donate to the Wounded warrior project. The American legion has less overhead than the Wounded warrior project.

I donated to Wounded Warriors for over a year. I believed that the organization was dedicated to actual Wounded Warriors. In Nov 2015, I received a calendar from the organization that had a story each month about a veteran that they help. As I read the stories it became clear that the first six months had stories that didn't quite support what I believed the organization represented what there commercials portrayed. I bothered me a little. In January 2016, I was ready to double my monthly contribution when the story broke about the excesses that the management was treating themselves to. Another rip off of good people trying to help a worthy cause only to be corrupted by individual greed.
I have broke my ties with the WWP, and I am looking for a trustworthy organization that is truly trying to help wounded veterans.

Found out this is a for profit organization spending lavishly on executive salaries and other non veteran related 'functions'.

Donated in honor of a veteran and friend, but then read the financials and saw the press about them spending money to sue other veteran organizations and decided that my financial support for wounded veterans can find many better organizations to fund.

After looking at salaries and percentage that go to disabled Vets, I would chose any other charity.
Disabled American Veterans is a volunteer run organization run by actual Veterans. A far better resource for your money.

I so whole heartedely support our veterans and Wounded Warriors. They are all wounded in some form. They can never come home the same. My husband was a Viet Nam vet so I have seen the lingering pain first hand. I chose to donate on a monthly basis with the funds taken out of my checking account. Pretty simple huh? I am very seriously considering ceasing this. Why??? I still receive frequent letters begging for more. Money spent, needlessly in my opinion. And now to my biggest gripe about this organization..... I received a "gift" from them. I send my money for our Wounded Warriors and I expect every possible cent to go to them. I do not need or want a "gift". A cheap piece of fabric they call a blanket. Now for my biggest gripe of them all........ my gift was made in...Yes!! you guessed it CHINA!!! Who are we supporting here our American troops or the country of China!! Yes, I am furious about it. I would truly love an answer from someone with some authority in the organization!

At least I feel better getting this off my chest!

Flowergirl58966

Though there are plenty of people who have had positive experiences as wounded vets, of which I am grateful, a recent submission of executive pay (CY 2014) disclosed that top executives are paid hundreds of thousands to millions a year. Perks like private jets are also provided. I do not like the idea that a gross percentage of my money is going to provide a high lifestyle rather than helping vets. Thus, I have ceased my donations and will find a group with a more charitable approach.

My monthly contribution stops immediately until WWP staffing gets real. If indeed the senior staff gets this type of monetary reward then you all better go back to the drawing board and come up with some realistic salaries. No way should the amount of money being received by the Project be distributed in the manner demonstrated within the IRS 990. Military personnel are entitled to leadership and this is by no means that. Leaders make sacrifices don't you ever forget that. Here again, if 3.5% is the true final contribution to our veterans, then you have some serious problems.

I CAN believe that so many stupid Americans can be dupped from their money without questioning the top end payroll. Looks like a whopping 3% is their give back.The rest goes to wages, advertizing, travel, and office supplies. Shame Shame Shame.

gee, why can't i open up your 990 form and see how much your president/ceo and officers are making off of our donations?

I was so disappointed to read this. I have been donating, monthly, to what I thought was a good orginization, helping veterans. I'm 86 yrs. old, on a limited income so it was a bit of a sacrifice for me. Can't something be done to correct the handling of the money? I hesitate to donate anymore.

We have donated to WWP in the past. On the Charity Navigator site it shows the breakdown of what the WWP donated funds have been used for. 30 cents from each dollar go to the veterans we all have thought we were helping. This and the sad reviews from needy vets on this forum should be made known to everyone that shares our thanks and sadness for their sacrifices.........God bless every one of them.

I've donated to Woudned Warrior many times in the past and it does a lot if good work. However, my mail box overflows with solicitatons and after some research (Charity Navigator for one and the State consumer affairs agencies) its clear to me that the could do so much more if the were more eficient. I know you have to spend money (avertising) to raise money (incresae fundraising revenues), but with just 61% of its resources spent on programs its not lean enough to continue earning my limited dollars.

Get out and see what this organization is doing. Then you may have a better understanding on what advertising and compensating talented people can achieve. The old saying of "you get what you pay for" is evident even with charities. I personally have no problem with the CEO being paid for outstanding work. Advertising is exactly how they bring in this amount of donations to fund their programs. The other Vet organizations are great and I commend them for what they are doing, but they are not reaching today's Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with the same impact as they may have once done for previous generations. They are doing their best and certainly provide help, but WWP understands how to connect with today's wounded, determine their needs, and empower them to get the help using more modern methods.

This charity has tremendously helped a few wounded veterans that I served with and I have seen the impact they've had with many more. I can completely understand why most posters here would draw their conclusion from just looking at the financials, but I encourage you to look at the bigger picture. Connect with a Wounded Warrior that has been helped by this organization and it may help you understand.

I couldn't be happier to be a donor and support these guys for the great work they do!

Though I also cringe somewhat at the CEO's $316K+ salary, it is unfair to conclude that 45% of the donations are going to stuffing the pockets of the administration personnel. WWP is one of the most advertised programs out there, and I would surmise that this advertising eats the vast majority of those admin funds. This is a corporate decision all businesses deal with. Do you "waste" a bunch of money advertising and, as a result, raise more money? Or, do you not advertise and make do with the less money, which will surly be the outcome. I will continue to give WWP the benefit of the doubt.

I have been a donor going on two years and would like to think my $ is helping our vets. but its disturbing to see the excessive salary the director is making. makes me question what Mr.Steven Nardizzi is really in this for? I am considering cancelling my donation and just giving the cash to a vet in person.

If all the reports of excessive administration cost and minimum gong to VETs is like some other so called non profit charities I have reviewed, maybe it is about time there were some congressional action on these rip-offs that might generate a law that restricts the percentage of gross funds for administrative cost for SO CALLED NON PROFIT Charities.

The greatest casualty is how you are ripping off the warriors with 44.8% in expenses and only 55% being used to help warriors.

Shame on you!

WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED WITH THE WAY THIS CHARITY IS BEING RUN. And to think all of our adult kids donated to this cause in our honor at Christmas because we asked that they do this instead of buying gifts for us. We are a Christian family and just feel used by the people who are heading this charity. Shame, shame, shame on you. After all our good soldiers have done in keeping us safe and this is how they're repaid......by the people in charge making hundreds of thousands of dollars that are donated by good-meaning people trying to give something back to our soldiers. We and our adult children will NEVER give another cent to this organization ever again. We have been checking into other charities that help our soldiers and one of them that looks like it is on the up and up is OPERATION HOMEFRONT!

I have been troubled for sometime about the number of solicitations and unwanted merchandise sent to me by WWP, believing that their resources could be better directed towards service provision. (Reviewing the actual percentage of funds spent on administrative & fundraising costs reinforced those concerns.) The recent response by WWP re: the topic of church-related fundraisers, however, has pushed me over the line & caused me to decide to direct my donations to another organization, i.e. one which will also be a better steward of those gifts and the intent behind them. (Personally, I've chosen the "Navy Seals" organization, which does a much better job of managing administrative overhead & designates a much higher percentage of funds towards "service." Check them out--they're highly rated!) Sorry, WWP--you've lost this donor.

I too was ready to donate to Wound Warrior because of my respect and gratitude for those who serve in our military and especially those wounded in the line of duty. I had already entered my Visa number and then thought I should research a bit. Glad I did. Anti-religion? Anti gun? 48% admin costs? Come on man! Great cause... poor leadership. This charitable christian will look for other ways to get my contributions to those that need it.

My husband and I have donated religiously for the last 2 years. We have always been bothered by the amount of solicitations/give-aways we receive. They did send us a very nice car magnet with their logo which we proudly displayed on our SUV. Perhaps they should reconsider sending these to donors . When we drive in and out of our church parking lot, WWP may be associated with a religious organization! We will reconsider our donation not only because of their policy but because so little of their funds go directly to wounded warriors. We are thankful this has all been brought to the public's attention.
.

My labor union supported this charity last year. Good idea, good cause, very poor execution. 48% spent on admin costs? Come on man.
At least they are smart enough not to allow political or religious affiliations. You do realize that they are dependent on ALL Americans to fund them, right? As cheap as the average Christian is towards tips or any other cause outside of throwing away 10% of their income to pay to go to Church every week, who cares if you bible toters are offended.? Not me.
Anyone who doesn't understand why a public charity would not get involved in the rampant religious and political extremism in America is just not thinking beyond their holy noses. Only Christian vets deserve help?

I, like others in this thread, am appalled at the actions of the WWP. I had been giving monthly as an automatic draft; I will be stopping this. If it is also true that WWP only gives each wounded warrior a max of $150 in assistance, then I am glad this came out. There are other veteran's organizations, and a VA hospital right here in my hometown who would gladly accept my donations directly. Very very sad. R Bert

After reading about WWP's refusal to accept funds from religious organizations and gun rights (Second Amendment) groups, I have decided that I will no longer support WWP and sent an e-mail as such:

I made contributions totally $1,000 USD last year and just discovered from a media story that your organization has rejected funds from a church. Unbelievable! Though I'm from a family of several veterans, I must protest and will withhold any further contributions.

Furthermore, I intend to encourage my friends, family and subscribers to look for alternative organizations to which they can give any charitable contributions. It is my sincere desire that you reconsider your policy of rejecting funds from (apolitical) religious organizations.

Regards,

Anthony Moreno

I believed in WWP, until they showed blatant discrimination in not just one area that members of the military enjoy and want, but two.

Both areas are EXACTLY what the military defends freedom of and stand for, 2nd Amendment rights and religion.

WWP refuses donations from 2nd Amendment businesses. WWP boycotts 2nd Amendment events, radio and TV shows. WWP refuses sponsorship from 2nd Amendment businesses. These actions are in direct contradiction to what the military and those who join the military stand and fight for.

When was the last time WWP knew of any member of the military to not be proficient with a firearm?

Next up came religion. Refusing donations from religious organizations. Boycotting religious events and sponsorship.

I am confused. WWP stated that the reason for not accepting 2nd Amendment is due to Veteran suicide. Boycotting religion is for what reason? By removing God and religion you are saying sorry, no gun, no hope get a razor. Bravo!

The bloated salaries and lack of actual help to verified Veterans is staggering and just another way to take advantage of the American public who really do support Veterans and our military.

Hang you head in shame, YOU have been exposed.

I just sent this email to Wounded Warriors Project:

Greetings,

My wife and I are frequent contributors to your organization.

I simple want to know is this article is true and you refused donations from this church:

http://www.gopusa.com/freshink/2013/02/02/wounded-warrior-project-rejects-funds-from-local-church/?subscriber=1

I expect a very prompt response.

My wife and I were just talking about providing a monthly donation to this cause to show our gratitude to all those who have served and have been injured. After finding out today that they do not want to accept donations from Christian Churches or Firearm industry we will be look for an alternative charity. I am not sure how they received 3 out 4 stars looking at the financials. Sad to see such a great cause be destryed by greed and ideology.

Since WWP Cannot accept money from a church you cannot accept money from me. I guess Christians do not get wounded. I have been saving to make another donation to WWP. Please remove me from your mailing list. I do not want to hear from WWP or receive mail from WWP.

I was a doner for many years but learning they refuse donations from faith based organizations and Gun Rights groups they will no longer receive my money

I WAS a donor in the past. I will not be in the future. Not after finding out today that they refuse to accept donations from religious organizations or churches. Shame on them for turning a charity, that should be more concerned about helping our soldiers, into a PC only group that prefers to follow in the divisive footsteps of our current government. Although I should thank them for having done so, because I have now found out about other organizations that would appear, given the information on this site, to be much better run, with more of the proceeds actually reaching the people that need it. So that is where my money will go in the future.

I was floored to see that only 43% of all donations are actually spent on Veteran Programs according to Charity Watch Org. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Arizona used to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project but not anymore. We recently turned of $4,000 to the WWP and ask if the funds could be earmarked for local projects and they said "no". That all donations must go the the national pot and disturb accordly. Don't get me wrong, when they do support wounded warriors but they also support them selves.

Of the $74.1 million in revenue Wounded Warrior Project generated last year (most of it from donations), $13.8 million was spent on fundraising, according to IRS documents.

Other expenses are listed on its audited financial statements:

$11.5 million in salaries

$8.9 million in consulting and outside services

$5.5 million for meetings and events

$3.1 million for travel

We will not donate to them anymore. We would like for all of our donations to be spent on actually projects, not salaries and advertisements.

I sent in a $50 donation in memory of someone per the family's request. Had I known that I would continue to get almost weekly mailed requests for donations that pretty much negate my donation I would never have done it. The amount they spend on fundraising must be huge. I tried to get myself unsubscribed through email to no avail. It was hard to find a phone number. This site gives a number for their Jacksonville office, and I just called and the woman in theory took my name out of the system. We'll see. At this point, I just cringe when I see one of their letters in my mailbox.

Last Night my wife watched a WWP commercial and asked me to look up on Charity Navigator and see how much of our regular monthly donation gets to the troops. I was appalled at the amount of money that is taken out for fund raising and salaries. I am a president of a charity and I demand we keep our administrative expenses down to 12%. I grant you this charity takes in a lot more than most but the numbers don't lie, we can do better than %55 for the troops.

I had supported this organization for 3-4 years and recently found out that their executive director and others taken an anti-gun and ant-knife stance (anti-2nd Amendment) which I find extremely hypocritical due to the fact they will accept funds and events from companies and individuals who do stand behind the 2nd Amendment. After some additional resource, I also found out that they are NOT good stewards of the funds donated. Don't take my word, do your own due diligence! I am a veteran and I NO longer support this group due mainly to their hidden agenda (now revealed) and their willingness to undermine our heros sacrifices for their own benefit! God Bless veterans, we can do better for you!
Sub Sailor

I recently learned that WWP has chosen to distance itself from "2nd Amendment and gun related activities and organizations." As a staunch supporter of our 2nd Amendment, it is this kind of cowardice that diminishes our sacred freedoms and casts a shadow on all law abiding gun owners. I was a monthly donor, but not any more.

I am currently a monthly donor to WWP. I have been looking into WWP, both on line and by telephone calls to Jacksonville, to determine how my/our contributions are being used. I am not pleased with what I have found. I have several problems with WWP; I believe the Executive Director being paid $320,000/year is highly excessive and makes me wonder about his motivation--is it the desire to serve or the desire for a very generous salary and, I'm sure, other perks; I do not believe slightly over 50% of revenues applied to program activities is reasonable nor effective; And, expending approximately 15% of revenues to fundraising against 51% toward program services makes me believe WWP is more interested in raising money than in providing services. I will be cancelling my monthly contribution and I urge others to reconsider whether this organization is truly committed to our wounded warriors.

I support the cause of this organization but question how much they really do for the individual soldier. I do not like all the mailing and "stuff" that is sent. I would prefer the money spent on that "stuff" be channeled to the men and women who really need it.

If you donate to them once, they will hammer you with letters, cards, and phone calls to give more. My $20 was meaningless. They have to have spent that much several times over in an attempt to get more money.

$.45 of every $1.00 raised goes to Administrative and Fundraising expenses. That's way too high for me. I'll find another charity that is more efficient to donate to next time.

Any 'charity' that spends boatloads of donated funds on expensive TV commercials is not to be trusted. Wounded Warrior Project receives low ratings from many Charity rating groups (for example a 'D' rating from Charitywatch.com) because of the low percentage of donated funds that actually make it into programs that benefit the intended recipients. Why does WWP need a multitude of 'board members' that each receive in excess of $200K per year? What real function do they provide besides leaching off donated funds? The same goes for the president/chairman/CEO of the charity. Why should they be making half a million dollars a year all from donated funds? Wounded Warrior Project brushes off low ratings from independent rating organizations by noting that they get a favorable rating from the Better Business Bureau... In case you hadn't heard, the BBB is also nothing but a scam where businesses pay for top ratings. Do yourself a favor and visit the Charitywatch website and donate to worth charities such as Fisher House Foundation

Wounded Warrior Project Email Exchange
by Gun Talk on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 9:56am ·

After Sunday's show, we've gotten many emails about Tom's remarks after WWP declined an interview request on Gun Talk Radio because it's a firearms-related show. We've also seen the forums that are suggesting many things that are not true. So, I'm going to lay it all out right here.

We thought it would be great to book the WWP on the Veteran's Day show to promote the organization, so I contacted them. I was flabbergasted when their PR contact, Leslie, sent me an email saying they could not participate because our show dealt with firearms. Knowing that WWP has a booth at SHOT show and various gun shows across the US, takes wounded warriors on hunts and range days, raffles guns and accessories as fundraisers, etc., their policy didn't make much sense. I forwarded the email on to Tom to get his take.

-Sarah



The following is the complete email exchange:

====================

Hello, Leslie:

Sarah forwarded me your email after I asked her to invite the Wounded Warriors Project to join me on "Tom Gresham's Gun Talk" radio show.



I'm stunned at your email saying that the WWP doesn't participate in an interview or activity related to firearms. Inasmuch as there are 90 million gun owners and most of them support wounded veterans, I think they would be shocked to hear that they are, by way of their hobbies, somehow not worthy of helping with the Wounded Warriors Project.



Does your policy apply also to police agencies and the military, since they are "related to firearms?"



I'm hoping that we have misunderstood your email. Can you confirm that it is, in fact, an official policy of the Wounded Warriors Project to not do interviews with or participate in any activity related to firearms?



Thank you.

Tom Gresham



============



Good afternoon --



While we appreciate your interest in Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) you are correct that we decline the media opportunity.



Please note the following notice that appears on our website which also applies to WWP public awareness policy and inquiries from media outlets:

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/additional-opportunities.aspx



WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or from alcohol or firearms companies.



Thank you for your inquiry.



LESLIE A. COLEMAN

public relations director



O: 904.405.1433

M: 904.654.8138

F: 904.296.7347



Wounded Warrior Project

4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300

Jacksonville, Florida 32256



====================

Thanks for confirming that, Leslie. It was a simple opportunity to promote the WWP on a national program in an effort to send donations your way.

I'll pass along the info that you don't want or need the help of America's gun owners.



Best regards,

Tom Gresham



=====================



Good morning --

This policy is not a judgment on those who own and use firearms – clearly every member of our armed forces has been trained in the use of firearms and then called on to use them in the course of their service to this country.



Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.



Thank you.

LESLIE A. COLEMAN

public relations director



=============================



Hello, Leslie:



Thank you for that explanation.



I do think -- and I'm being as kind as possible -- that it's the nuttiest thing I've heard in years. Suicides are not linked to firearms. Japan has a much higher rate of suicide than does the U.S., and they have essentially no firearms. Suicide is a serious issue irrespective of the methodology used.



This explanation doesn't pass even the most simple "does this make sense" test.



Your policy does, in fact, brand firearms and the companies which make them as undesirables, and by association, you are saying that those who own and use firearms for recreation, hunting, self protection, and other safe and legal uses are to be avoided.



It's certainly your option to ostracize the firearms industry, the 90 million gun owners in America, and the media which support firearms safety training.



At this point, I feel an obligation to make sure the millions who listen to my radio show and watch my two national television series know about your policy.



I cannot fully express how much I feel you are doing a disservice to our wounded veterans, and how disappointed I am to discover this bias at the Wounded Warriors Project.



Sincerely,

Tom Gresham

WWP's fund raising expenses are high, which cuts into the amount going to our vets, BUT they keep their administrative expenses low at 8% (anything under 15% gets the highest rating). The overall percentage that actually gets to the people in need is high compared to a great deal of charities out there. I'd love to see WWP cut down on expenses and be able to deliver more of the donations to the troops, but overall I'd say they are doing a great job.

They should be ashamed. They're using the same accounting tricks that the scammers use to try and avoid IRS scrutiny and fluff the numbers. They claim $41.6 million in "media ad value" within revenue and support and then turn around and list it within program services as an expense. That way, from a quick glance, it looks like they waste less of your donation than they actually do. The California Attorney General just busted Help Hospitalized Veterans for doing this (among other things).

I think more of the donations should go to the "WOUNDED WARRIORS" instead to Administration & to "trinkets" etc. I don't want "junk" in my mailbox to be enticed to donate to a charity. I want my donations to go to the WOUNDED WARRIORS. I am VERY DISAPPOINTED at this discovery as to how much of the donations go to useless advertising and administration. FIX IT...or else...you will lose more than you receive. You are deceiving the donors.

I understand that a lot of people think that this charity does not look good on paper but the statistics do not tell the whole story. This charity is not just a few people sitting in an office waiting for people to find them and donate money. They are out there getting everyday people involved through fundraising efforts like Tough Mudder. I am one of tens of thousands of people who have participated in a 12 mile military styled obstacle course designed to push your body to the limits. If it were for events like this I would never have heard of the Wounded Warrior Project. It takes a lot of money to put on events like these but it gets the word out about the Wounded Warrior Project. It also makes people who wouldn’t normally think about veteran charities become more aware and hopefully more involved. Aside from Tough Mudder it takes a lot of advertising money and large staff to launch and run a new charity foundation. Please don’t divert your money just because this charity does not look good on paper. Ask a wounded vet how he or she feels about it.

What a Worthy Cause: HOWEVER, why is this charity and the people who run it taking a lion's share of the funds INSTEAD OF HELPING THE WOUNDED TROOPS WHO HAVE SUFFERED SO MUCH? This charity should have a FIVE (5) STAR RATING given the cause, yet it only manages 3 stars. I WOULD DONATE FAR MORE AND MORE OFTEN IF IT EVER RECEIVED A 5 STAR RATING.

I donated to the WWP a couple years ago and I quickly began to receive a lot of marketing material - trinkets, pins, buttons, notepads, etc. I contacted them on 3 occasions asking to please stop sending the stuff and it still comes to this day. I don't need a button or ribbon to give me warm fuzzies about making a donation, I feel like half of my donation has come back to me in the form of junk mail instead of getting to the people who need it!

I'm having a hard time reconcilling how much money actually goes to program services. Charity Navigator says it about 65%, my own review of the latest financial statements shows about 72%. And the WWP page says it is 82%. To calculate it my self, I took total program service expenses of $89M divided by total revenue of $123M = 72%. Am I missing something? How does WWP come up with 82%???

I'm pulling my donations from this organization. Go check out their financials at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/mission/financials.aspx and scroll down to their Form 990. In 2009 their CEO was making $199,000 and then in 2010 received a $120,000 pay raise to $319,000. If that wasn't enough, their Deputy received a $103,000 pay raise. While our country was going through a receission and injured service members coming home, this organization decided to give their top executives huge pay raises. Seems like a misuse of my donations.

One of the biggest problems with a watchdog site like this, is that some dishonest people will use it as a forum to run smear campaigns against NP organizations, or in some cases, to promote their own organization by disparaging their competitors.

I do not know how many of the above reviews fall into that category, but I would wager far more than 50% of them.

WWP runs one of the most upstanding and well-respected organization in all of fundraising. Even that aside, the actual soldiers who received a backpack, attended one of WWP’s programs, or in other way benefited from WWP’s efforts, won’t hesitate a breath to tell you how grateful they are to WWP.

You can’t fake video testimonials, and you can’t fake the fact that WWP employs a sizable number of actual Wounded Warriors across the U.S. Don’t believe the naysayers, WWP puts the letter to the deed – they help wounded warriors.

I have been a donor for 3-years now, and have never regretted it even once. I will continue giving to WWP, and I would encourage others to consider doing the same.

Offered free and perpetual airtime to WWP to assist with their fundraising. After a three week runaround, finally got a return call from someone in their marketing department that wanted us to do pages of paperwork to "license" their logo and grovel for the blessing of their legal team. All this hassle to GIVE THEM free publicity for fundraising. We were finally told "we're not interested in your assistance" as if THEY were doing US a favor. So be it, WWP. We're quite glad to move on and never look back. It's a huge red flag when an organization is more fixated on legal warnings to prospective allies, long 'applications', and protecting a trademark than they are gracefully receiving assistance worth tens of thousands of dollars. There are plenty of other veteran-helping groups out there who will be glad to accept our gift. After the thousands we have already contributed over the years, the WWP has received its last dollar from our organization.

We raised $1,000. for wounded warriors last year in addition to giving monthly to the cause. We wanted to have a representative receive the donation at our annual meeting of the American Legion. We also wanted to have them at our Ladies Aux. so that the Aux. donation of $1,000. could stay in our community. No one would come to receive the donations. Emails from the Jax WWP were received, however, they made it plain that they only work during the day. We eventually mailed them the check to the Jax WWP office. The Ladies Aux mailed their $1,000. check to the national WWP office. This year we raised another $1,000. for veterans, but have decided to give to another charity.

Very disappointed in donor stewardship shown thus far. WWP must be receiving so many donations that they don't feel the need to thank donors or confirm gifts. As the Executive Director of a non-profit, I know the importance of confirming the receipt of gifts and thanking donors in a timely manner. (We get out confirmations and thank yous within 24 hours of the gift.) WWP is a great cause, great advertising campaign, but very poor follow through with donors. Have called numerous times to speak with a representative to confirm my gift. My call was continually referred to "Donor Services," where I was given the "privilege" of leaving a voice mail for someone to return my call within "two days." Still have not heard from anyone. I will be canceling my monthly contribution. Sorry.

My husband and I gave throughout 2011 and it was one of the charities that reaped a higher giving, which was a stretch given what's happening with the economy. After seeing that 2 executives are taking 400K off the top and a large amount goes to fundraising and who knows what else (most likely a close friend or family member doing the advertising) the final dollars for the cause is horrible. How can you ask others to give of their incomes when you take so much for yourself? If you want to show you really care for the wounded vets Steve and Ron, how about giving back to the cause you plead others to sacrificially give to?

I also received information about this organization while at the Jacksonville Airport. I made a donation on the anniversary of my husband's retirement from the USMC. Veterans charities are especially important in my household since my husband is a veteran having served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I have not had any issues with my name being sold to other companies, I have received address labels, etc. but not an excessive amount. Yes, they do not have a WRITTEN privacy policy, but if you call them and ask to be taken off their mailing list, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to do so or be able to explain what their policy does entail. In my opinion, the person "Laura" that posted a review previously doesn't appear to be very Internet savvy and thinks a Nigerian Bank scheme solicitation is coming from the Wounded Warrior Project, which of course is not. Generals have more important things to attend to than soliciting donations for a charity. Unfortunately, I did not see a "No" button for "Was this review helpful?" in response to Laura Smith's comments which prompted me to write a review.

While in the Jacksonville, FL airport last fall I saw the rocking chairs of the Wounded Warrior Project and picked up information. Thinking our service people need support and assistance from all Americans I included the WWP in my year end giving for which I received acknowledgment. However, they have more than spent my donation in mailings during 2011 asking for more money, and unfortunately I did not know about their LACK of donor privacy assurances. I have been BESEIGED with requests from more than the usual veterans' charities (the ones that keep sending me return address labels that lshould last through my grandchildren's lives). In particular, requests come weekly from a General Singlaub - I am sure these are sent under his name for a worthy cause, but I will not be sending the WWP any more donations and will be checking Charity Navigator more closely in the future. I think the administrative and fund raising efforts far exceed those of a well run charity.

LWS, Atlanta, GA