Wounded Warrior Project
Is This Your Business?3.5
3.5
LAST UPDATED: August 7th, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2003 as the need for assisting wounded veterans from the post-9/11 era became evident. Wounded Warrior Project states that it provides support for wounded veterans' bodies, minds, and families as they try to readjust to now-normal life after being injured during military service. The organization is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
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The Good
- Increases in annual revenue
- Financial information is accessible
- Annual awards
Total Income
Wounded Warrior Project has rapidly increased its annual revenue over the last several years. Program expenses have not increased in proportion to the significant increases in revenue, however, which indicates the higher allocation of funds for fundraising and administrative expenses. 2014: $312,471,111 2013: $225,418,220 2012: $148,185,045 2011: $70,125,724Administrative Expenses
Wounded Warrior Project spent 5.8 percent of its annual revenue in 2014-2015 for administrative expenses. This percentage is comparable to many other organizations. Executive salaries have not been available since Steven Nardizzi's replacement as the director in March 2016. Mr. Nardizzi was reported to have a salary equivalent to 0.19 percent of the organization's expenses.Accessible Financial Information
Wounded Warrior Project publishes its annual reports, consolidated financial statements, and IRS Forms 990 from 2006 to 2015. This information is somewhat more difficult to find than for other charitable organizations, but simple searches yield comprehensive and quick results.Awards
Wounded Warrior Project recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations which illustrate long-standing examples of courage, assisting wounded veterans (post-9/11 era), or spreading positive messages about wounded warriors. Wounded Warrior Project has several awards which it has created and awards at its annual award banquets and ceremonies. Some of the people who have been recognized by Wounded Warrior Project are Bill O'Reilly, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bank of America. The National Football League has selected Wounded Warrior Project as one of its supported charities in recognition of the continued importance of supporting the military.The Bad
- Expensive fundraising activities
- Negative Press
- 59.9 percent of revenue used in program delivery
Fundraising Expenses
Wounded Warrior Project allocates a significant percentage of its revenue to fundraising activities. For 2014-2015, the organization spent $84,358,058, or 35.2 percent, of its annual revenue for fundraising. The efficacy of these programs is lower by comparison to other charitable organizations, which are able to spend a few cents on fundraising to collect a dollar. For each dollar received by Wounded Warrior Project, the organization spends twenty-five cents.Program Percentage
Most charity watchdog organizations state that a minimum percentage of 70 percent of an organization's revenue should be used for its program delivery. Wounded Warrior Project reported that for the fiscal year end of September 30, 2015 the organization used only 59.9 percent of its revenue to provide programs for wounded veterans. This percentage is significantly lower than the minimum percentage considered to be responsible by watchdog organizations as well as being much lower than most charitable organizations. It is conceivable that with recent changes in hiring new executives that this performance metric might change, but at the writing of this review in September 2016, the changes are too recent to yield results, either positive or negative.Negative Press
From January to March of 2016, the Wounded Warrior Project was the subject of much negative press from both CBS News and The New York Times. These investigations used information from former employees of the Wounded Warrior Project as a source and alleged that the organization mismanaged funds and did not support those whom they purported to serve in their mission and with its stated programs. These reports resulted in a change of the director and a significant drop in the public opinion of the organization. Wounded Warrior Project has demanded that CBS News and The New York Times retract their stories and print corrections, stating that the findings of the investigations were flawed since information was obtained from disgruntled former employees. It is important to note that Charity Navigator, a well-respected charity watchdog organization, has published a low-level alert for donors to the Wounded Warrior Project as a result of these investigations.Donor Communication
Donors receive regular updates via email, social media, and postal mail, if they provide the organization their email or postal address. Wounded Warrior Project relies heavily on fundraising for its annual revenue, so donors can expect to be regularly solicited for further donations. Some say that the communication is excessive. There are many anecdotal reports of people discontinuing their support of the organization based upon receiving repeated communication soliciting further donations and Wounded Warrior Project's high percentage of revenue being used for fundraising activities.The Bottom Line
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Michelle Rios Ogden, UT
Having served in the military, having family that continue to serve and having family that have died while serving... This organization holds a dear place in my heart. I believe in providing for those Warriors that have returned home and that need help after sacrificing parts of themselves to live a "normal" life. Thank You Wounded Warrior Project for all that you do!
4 years ago
Eddie Rios Ogden, UT
Excellent charity focused on helping our military cope with tragedy. They serve a grand purpose with their capable medical staff, active leadership raising awareness and crucial volunteer group. They are always improving the services they provide and greatly enhance the health of more military personnel and veterans. They are greatly responsible for the care of our heroes. And the Wounded Warrior project continues to improve on all counts.
4 years ago
Douglas Bittinger Atlanta, GA
I have great respect for the men and women who serve in our military and have been happy to send a monthly donation to The Wounded Warrior Project. I noticed a marked uptick on the mailing of fancy printed materials. I donate monthly yet an receiving come-on on a WEEKLY basis. I had to wonder what that costs and if this is indication that donations are not being used to their best outcomes. I did some research and found that according to the latest available data (2015!) a high percentage of their income is spent on fundraising. Although overall income has increased significantly, the amounts spent on their program (stated purpose) has not increased. I do not see this as good stewardship of the funds donors provide.
1 year ago
Alicia Holman Gilbert, AZ
Love this charity and the reason behind it. Their spending is quite high, so I know they need to revamp it so that most of the funding can go to help veterans, but they do so much to employee veterans and help them that I will always give to them. If their celebrity representatives would help them redo some of their structure, I think this could be one of the number one charities out there.
6 years ago
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DAVID HADAWAY Long Beach, MS
I am a veteran having served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I have known many of my comrades who, having been wounded, were taken care of by the Wounded Warrior Project. Great organization taking care of our wounded warriors. Thank you!
4 years ago
Brian Hahn Clarksburg, MD
Well, I was lied to, again. I sent in everything they asked for, and was approved and became a member of this organization. I wanted to receive some assistance in the employment program. I was told I would receive a phone call in 3 business days from an individual in my area, and they provided me with her name. One week later, I received no phone call or email, nothing. So I called for a follow up to see what the status was. I was told that she left me a voicemail on the 31st. I re-checked my voicemails, nothing. I had no voicemail from here. I checked my phone record, and nothing. She did not call me at all that day. I reported this to the lady I was talking to, and she changed up her story and told me that the lady (the one who was supposed to call me to get me started) had called on the 28th. So, I checked my phone record/log to see. No, she did not call me then either. I checked for the phone number that the lady said she would call from, and she did not call me then either. She actually never called me at all, ever. She said she would reach out to her and have her call me, yet I still have not received a phone call, nor has she tried to reach out to me in any sort of way.
This shows that she lied, saying she left a voicemail, when she never even called me, at all. Never once did she call. I believe she was trying to cover up her tracks. I am so disappointed in this organization. I have just finished a live chat via messenger on their website, and was told that someone would be reaching out to me on their end as well. We shall see.
1 year ago
Audrey Mitchell Managua, MN
My family was able to be recipients of Wounded Warrior Project. The money that was donated was used to help my family recover from a life altering change due to war. The charity helped my family in a hard time.
4 years ago
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Zac Cannon Long Beach, MS
Wounded Warrior is a wonderful charity that is up for a great cause! I have bought several clothing items that support Wounded Warrior and will continue to do so. Taking care of our vets should be a top priority for us!
4 years ago
Jamie McCormick Fishers, IN
I always had good things to say about the Wounded Warrior Project. One of their employees sent me a pretty rude email one day and I emailed HQ to inform them that it wasn't appreciated. Was it addressed? I'm assuming not considering they failed to respond and I haven't seen the usual WWP email since. Instead of addressing their rude employees they just tell the veteran to get lost apparently. I wouldnt give a dime to them after how they treated me this last time.
5 years ago
Barry Bash Ocean Springs, MS
All talk no help, one person spent an hour on the phone with my wife about her PTSD he said it was not severe enough to get treatment even with 4 years of issues her therapist was upset by this and wanted to talk to them directly we have been told that once an evaluation has been made it will never change.
They did offered her a retreat for woman vets gave us the dates then nothing more did not return our calls or e-mail never received any info about the retreat other than the dates waste of time
5 years ago
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Makayla Manus Gulfport, MS
The Wounded Warrior Project is so worth donating to. It's not much but it helps them so much. I like to know my money is being spent towards such an amazing project.
4 years ago
Dennis Toth Sequim, WA
It bothers me that a charity organization pays its CEO $300,000 + annual salary.
3 years ago
