Rebecca Aguilar, the immediate past president of the Society of Professional Journalists, responded on Twitter: Mike that is not firing back by the foundation. The nonprofit, which reported $1.2 million in annual expenses in 2020 and 21, spent nearly half its money in those years on employee compensation, which included more than $200,000 per year for an executive who also worked for Ciara and Russell Wilsons family office, which was not reported on tax records, the nonprofit confirmed. Russell Wilsons foundation raises millions, a quarter of it goes to charity. He has a strong arm and can use his feet when he needs to. Nonprofit compensation is based on the nonprofits own revenues, Morton said. I think that they were paid appropriately based on their talent, experience, and the knowledge they were bringing to us, said Mark Rodgers, Wilsons attorney and sports agent, to USA Today. kinda editorialized your title there, didn't you? This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2019, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us. Reports: Broncos trade for Seahawks QB Russell Wilson From proceeds on a clothing line to auctioning off cleats, and more, Wilson has focused on children in underserved communities. In the story, The Arizona Republics Jason Wolf detailed how Wilsons 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization donated just 24.3 cents of every dollar it raised on charitable activities from 2020-2021. For our Why Not You foundation over the past eight years weve been so freaking blessed to meet so many amazing people, so many amazing kids along the way and to be able to also partner with some amazing brands.". The nonprofits highest-paid employee received $78,000 that year, according to tax records. As of now, the charity has only given the hospital $836,000 in total. The foundation responded with a lengthy statement on Instagram, and the foundations director explained in an interview with KUSA-TVs Mike Klis that they work with various organizations who donate directly to causes, and that money does not show up on the Why Not You Foundations tax records. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have. And with those partnerships weve been fortunate to be able to drive over $10-plus-millions of dollars for pediatric cancer and for education and for hunger prevention and so much more., We will always care more about impact than credit @WhyNotYouFdn https://t.co/B2nWmiSVCE pic.twitter.com/1dOsEAR1v7. But Andrew Morton, a nonprofit oversight attorney, told USA Today that he thinks there is a high probability the IRS could penalize the foundation for excessive benefits. Russell Wilson Foundation has earned a 21% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. Fuck Russell Wilson. This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990. Russell WIlson signed a 4-year, $140 million contract in 2019 to remain the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback. The USA TODAY Network launched an investigation into non-profits started by previous Payton award winners, including Wilsons Why Not You foundation. Form 990 federal tax returns from the nonprofit's inception through 2021 show it reported $7.5 million in revenue and $7 million in expenses during its first eight years of existence. Russell Wilson Says What Seahawks Fans Have Begged to Hear. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. With their generous donation, the program will change its name to Why Not You Academy. It has donated $836,000 to Seattle Childrens Hospital and the Seattle Childrens Hospital Foundation since its inception, according to tax records.. You raised what your 990 says you raised. Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component. Chiefly, Wilson earned $90 million from his various endeavors. Russell Wilson Foundation cannot currently be evaluated by our Culture & Community methodology because we have not received data from the charity regarding its Constituent Feedback or Equity Practices strategies.Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization. But in the two years since then, the organization spent twice as much money on its employees as it contributed to charitable activities, according to a six-month investigation by USA Today. Looks like that squeaky clean image is over. Russ' entire persona taking a nose dive in the last like 12 months has been crazy to watch. The Russell Wilson Foundation, which does business as the Why Not You Foundation, reported it spent almost $600,000 or just 24.3 cents of every dollar on charitable activities in 2020 and 2021 combined and nearly twice as much, $1.1 million, on salaries and employee benefits in that span, according to federal tax records. Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was placed under scrutiny after the findings of a six-month USA Today investigation alleged that his Why Not You foundation, which helped Wilson win the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2020, spent twice as much money on its employees as it contributed to charitable activities. Those funds were raised, in large part, through the work of the foundation, but you would not see all of those dollars in the foundations tax documents.. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity. Of course, but since your title mischaracterizes the issue, its going to be a topic. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. According to an article fromrichmondfreepress.com, Wilson and his wife Ciara contributed about $1.75 million to rebrand an existing charter program known as Cascade Midway Academy. It is categorical nonsense to say, We have funds go to third parties, and our foundation exists to pay for the expenses.' In the expenses of the foundation includes a six-figure. Wilson and his wife were contacted by the program for money, and they were gladly willing to support. Please check your email for a confirmation. That doesnt justify the salaries. That is PR spin. The Kids Wish Network, tied for lowest-rated on the Times and CIR's list, has paid nearly $110 million to corporate solicitors and another $4.8 million to its founder and his own consulting . Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. He is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Investigation:They are the NFL's most-honored players. Teamwork and making a difference will always come first. Tait has a juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law and worked as the director of philanthropy for the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation from Dec. 2019 to Jan. 2023, according to her LinkedIn profile. The investigation began as a probe into the activities of nonprofits run by recipients of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. They can't deceive you or lie about: The fundraiser's connection to the charity. And to be able to also partner with some amazing, amazing brands. The Russell Wilson Foundation, doing business as the Why Not You Foundation, was established in 2014. Wilson can beat you in numerous ways. Serious questions were raised about the Why Not You Foundation when a six-month investigation by The USA TODAY Network was published. Last week, USA TODAY published a story on quarterback Russell Wilsons Why Not You Foundation. I guess being unliiiiiimited doesn't extend to his charity work. Hes not stealing money. Wilson threw for 288 yards with five touchdowns as the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 35-30. wide-ranging, five-part investigative story, spent nearly half its money in those years on employee compensation. Wilson, in his video statement, continued to tout the impact of third-party fundraising by partner organizations, which nonprofit experts said does not justify the Why Not You Foundations salaries. To do so, the Wilsons formed a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization to aid that fight. A ranging report from USA Today published on Wednesday outlined that Wilson's "Why Not You? Started in 2016, the Brand's website says it wanted to create a fashion brand more focused on making a difference. www.TheComeback.com is a sports fan website and is in no way affiliated with any professional sports team, league, or its Properties. Their goal is to impact a billion lives with their work. Regarded as the world's most successful investor, the Berkshire Hathaway chairman. Do they even make the minimum wage? The Why Not You group said partnerships its involved with make an indirect impact on charities. News. Found inside - Page 405Jugglers of Journalism 3700 By A. J. Millions of dollars in funds raised by the Why Not You Foundation go through our partners who can deliver that money where it is needed more directly, Pickett wrote in a statement to USA Today. No where in there does the word steal appear. His charity doesn't do anything with infrastructure so that's not it either. Super Bowl LVII Official Merchandise: When, Where & How To Buy. The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). Monetary Make financial donations by check or credit card. The contribution is being made through their Why Not You Foundation. While Wilson donated a whopping $2.6 million, his charity only made a contribution of $78,000. Donate. You know, for our Why Not You Foundation, over the past eight years, weve been so freakin blessed to meet so many amazing people, so many amazing kids along the way. There should absolutely be a law thats states x% has to actually go to the charity, with the other going to admin costs and such. Share. NFL players' philanthropy efforts often can bring challenges. The Broncos have bagged Sean Payton as their newest head coach. Scroll. The results do not put Mr. This includes the charitable drive headed by $165 million worth Wilson to donate to the Seattle Children's Hospital. Those are the things that havent really been highlighted and talked about, but I just want to highlight those things.. J.J. Watt, whose nonprofit Watt Foundation raised nearly $42 million for Hurricane Harvey relief in 2017, donated more than 97 cents of every dollar to charity that year and more than 99 cents of . USA Today concluded it's because the Why Not You Foundation boasts its charitable partnerships with other organizations rather than its own contributions. They can also protect you from charity scams. However, less than half of all money raised by the foundation, $2.8 million, goes to charitable activities. JavaScript is disabled. Russell Wilson, then-quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, routinely visited the local childrens hospital with his wife, musical performer Ciara. 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