Veterans Nonprofits Seek Separation From Wounded Warrior Project

Veterans groups say they must remain vigilant in their efforts to be transparent about their finances and be clear with donors about the services they provide in the wake of the scandal at Wounded Warrior Project.

The groups also want to make sure the public understands that they are distinct from Wounded Warrior so as not to scare off donors suspicious of the “other” veterans group that’s gotten so much negative media attention in recent months.

Jeffrey Reynolds, chief executive of the Mineola N.Y.-based Family and Children’s Association, has had to explain to people that a drive to pay for a ramp at the group’s veterans homeless shelter is not connected to Wounded Warrior.

With the Wounded Warrior problems in mind, Mr. Reynolds said he was especially cautious about the language in the GoFundMe campaign for the ramp, which it launched a few days ago.

“We said we are raising $800, we’ve got the work donated, we just need to buy the lumber, the concrete, and the supplies,” said Mr. Reynolds. “So it’s very, very specific, so there’s no questions.”

Others groups say they will continue to reiterate that they’re separate from Wounded Warrior, because even the group’s name can present challenges.

“The term ‘wounded warrior’ is sort of thrown around these days,” says Randi Law, communications manager for Veterans of Foreign Wars. “So if at any point in time — even at the local level — the VFW says, ‘We support wounded warriors,’ that can often be misconstrued as ‘We support the Wounded Warrior Project.’ ”

The issue is not a new one, as the public often mixes up veterans groups like the VFW, the American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Disabled American Veterans Charity — any group that serves “wounded warriors,” says Ms. Law.

“To combat that, we’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing, which is make ourselves visible and do all that we can to educate the public on who the VFW is, what our mission is, and what it is that we do,” Ms. Law said.

The Wounded Warrior Project got a black eye after news investigations alleged the group overspent on travel, hotels, conferences, and fundraising. The criticism culminated in the board’s firing of two top executives last week, including its fiery chief executive Steven Nardizzi.

Touting Transparency

Transparency is another key concern for groups that serve veterans in the wake of the Wounded Warrior flap.

Jas Boothe, president of Final Salute, which serves homeless women veterans, said groups that can show they are working in the interest of veterans should not have any issues from the controversy. She said her organization posts its financial documents and audits online so people can see how their money is spent.

“I think you’ll be fine as long as you continue to operate in an ethical, moral, and legal fashion,” she said.

Having the ability to show the results of the organization’s charitable work is important, too, said Mr. Reynolds of the Family and Children’s Association. It’s particularly of concern for local groups that people might confuse with larger organizations that have more name recognition, he said.

“I think when something like this happens, it just reinforces the need to highlight what’s unique about your agency,” he said. “If you have decades of proven service and a track record in the community, you ought to talk about it.”

Team Red, White & Blue takes pains to show people the impact of the thousands of enrichment opportunities held by several of the group’s regional chapters, said Dan Brostek, marketing and communications director. Mr. Brostek said the group stresses that the events give veterans purpose and allow former service members to meet people with similar experiences.

“We’re in a position where we can communicate what our organization is doing,” Mr. Brostek said. “We feel confident that when we sit down with foundations, partners, large corporations, or individual donors who want to learn more about us, that they can really assess us for who we are.”

‘Soldiers Still Need Help’

Meanwhile, groups that have received grants from Wounded Warrior in the past say the group’s troubles will likely not affect their organizations significantly.

“I think people are smart enough to know that soldiers still need help,” said Terry Jung, executive director of the Lone Survivor Foundation, which provides healing retreats for combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, or other issues.

Mr. Jung’s nonprofit received a $100,000 grant from Wounded Warrior in 2014 that went toward four healing retreats. But the foundation has numerous other revenue sources, he said, and it increased the number of retreats it’s held even without Wounded Warrior’s funding.

Wounded Warrior officials declined through a spokesman to speak to The Chronicle but said in a statement that they plan on “continuing to work with other organizations to fulfill our collective goal of serving military veterans and their families.” The statement noted that the organization had issued over $40 million in grants since 2012 to more than 90 veteran-serving nonprofits.