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Human Services : Social Services

Wounded Warrior Project

The greatest casualty is being forgotten

three stars

86.45

4899 Belfort Road Suite 300
Jacksonville, FL 32256
tel: (877) 832-6997   Web Site
EIN: 20-2370934

Board Leadership
Jonathan Woodson
Chair

CEO
Michael Linnington
Chief Executive Officer

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 86.45 three stars
  Financial 81.08 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 97.00 four stars
This rating was published 07/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The mission of Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Our purpose is: to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women; to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members.

The mission of Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Our purpose is: to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women; to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members.

Impact Information

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GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact.  GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Platinum Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly sharing information about how they measure their progress and results.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Reported Results
Showing 3 of 4
Total in 2018
Percentage of those we serve who received mental health support after participating in a mental health retreat .
72
Economic Impact in dollars through VA Benefits assistance and placement of warriors and family members into jobs through employment services.
203,000,000
Number of warriors and family members placed in part- or full-time employment through Warriors to Work
2,319
Hours of case management and community support provided to the most severely wounded warriors and their families through the Independence Program.
207,906
This organization has earned a GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency by voluntarily sharing the measures of progress and results they use to pursue their mission. Organizations earn Platinum Seals by selecting from a catalog of over 900 expert recognized metrics or by creating a new metric that best fits their work. This information is reported by the organization and displayed publicly on their GuideStar Nonprofit Profile. With over 1.6 million Nonprofit Profiles, 9 million annual visitors and over 200 data partners, GuideStar is the world's leading source of information about nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit itself, GuideStar is dedicated to providing better data for better decisions for a better world.
This impact information is current as of January 2020, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

three stars

81.08

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

97.00

This rating was published 07/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 71.3%
  Administrative Expenses 5.8%
  Fundraising Expenses 22.7%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.24
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 1.12
  Program Expenses Growth 11.0%
  Liabilities to Assets 11.4%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Wounded Warrior Project on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Wounded Warrior Project on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Wounded Warrior Project (FL) 86.45 three stars
Travis Manion Foundation (PA) 90.93 four stars
USO of North Carolina (NC) 90.32 four stars
United Through Reading (CA) 94.28 four stars
Semper Fi Fund (CA) 98.23 four stars

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REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $243,625,601
   Federated Campaigns $1,773,038
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $805,918
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $246,204,557
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $246,204,557
   Other Revenue $17,558,139
TOTAL REVENUE $263,762,696
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $197,401,711
   Administrative Expenses $14,812,972
   Fundraising Expenses $61,806,569
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $274,021,252
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-10,258,556
   
Net Assets $305,172,541

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Mental Health and Wellness $63,436,150 32.1%
Connection $50,963,206 25.8%
Financial Wellness $25,898,108 13.1%

Within the last year, this charity had a CN Advisory removed. Read More

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-09 07/01/2019 86.45 three stars
2017-09 08/01/2018 86.02 three stars
2016-09 02/01/2018 88.67 three stars
2016-09 11/01/2017 88.52 three stars
2015-09 02/01/2017 90.49 four stars
2014-09 06/01/2016 82.10 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-09 07/01/2015 84.52 three stars
2013-09 12/22/2014 86.11 three stars
2012-09 10/01/2013 84.39 three stars
2011-09 10/01/2012 84.18 three stars
2010-09 12/23/2011 83.37 three stars
2010-09 09/20/2011 83.13 three stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-09 09/01/2010 78.66 two stars

Historical CN Advisories

01/29/2016-10/01/2016: Low Concern Advisory

In accordance with our policy for removing CN Advisories, Charity Navigator removed the Low Concern CN Advisory for the Wounded Warrior Project on October 1, 2016 because the CN Advisory had been in place for more than six months (since January 2016) and because the organization provided public domain information, available in press releases and news reports below, addressing concerns raised in media investigations.

Charity Navigator had published a CN Advisory on the Wounded Warrior Project because we became aware of the following information in connection with this charity:

  • On January 26, 2016, CBS News investigated the operations of Wounded Warrior Project, in an article titled, "Wounded Warrior Project accused of wasting donation money." For this reason, we have issued a Low Concern CN Advisory. For more information regarding the investigation, please see the CBS News article.

    • On January 27, 2016, CBS News published an article titled, "Ex-employee: Wounded Warrior Project conduct 'makes me sick'." For more information, please see the CBS News article.

    • On January 27, 2016, CBS News published an article titled, "Charity watchdogs question Wounded Warrior's spending on vets." For more information, please see the CBS News article.

    • On January 27, 2016, The New York Times published an article titled, "Wounded Warrior Project Spends Lavishly on Itself, Insiders Say." For more information, please see The New York Times article.

    • On January 27, 2016, News4JAX published an article titled, "Wounded Warrior Project suing 2 injured veterans." For more information, please see the News4JAX article.

    • On February 1, 2016, CBS News published an article titled, "Wounded Warrior Project publicly responds to 'concerns'." For more information, please see the CBS News article.

    • On March 10, 2016, CBS News published an article titled, "Wounded Warrior Project execs fired." For more information, please see the CBS News article.

    • On March 10, 2016, Wounded Warrior Project published press release titled, "Board of Directors of Wounded Warrior Project Addresses Independent Review." For more information, please see the Wounded Warrior Project press release.

    • On March 14, 2016, CBS This Morning published an article titled, "Wounded Warrior Project chair on recovery from spending scandal." For more information, please see the CBS This Morning article.

    • On March 18, 2016, The New York Times published an article titled, "Senator Wants Data on Wounded Warrior Project, a Charity Under Fire." For more information, please see The New York Times article.

    • On April 11, 2016, Wounded Warrior Project announced, "Wounded Warrior Project Appoints Interim Chief Operating Officer." For more information, please see the Wounded Warrior Project's website.

    • On May 16, 2016, News4JAX published an article titled, "Senator questions Wounded Warrior Project spending." For more information, please see the News4JAX article.

    • On June 16, 2016, The Chronicle of Philanthropy published an article titled, "Pentagon Official to Take Charge of Wounded Warrior Project." For more information, please see The Chronicle of Philanthropy article.

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 20-2370934
Name in IRS Master File WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC
NTEE Code P60
NTEE Classification Emergency Assistance (Food, Clothing, Cash)
NTEE Type Human Services - Multipurpose and Other
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date August, 2005
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End September
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • September, 2018
  • September, 2017
  • September, 2016
  • September, 2015
  • September, 2014
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$309,043 0.11% Michael S. Linnington Chief Executive Officer

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Wounded Warrior Project (FL) 86.45 three stars
Operation Gratitude (CA) 92.92 four stars
Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation (MO) 96.66 four stars
USO of North Carolina (NC) 90.32 four stars
Operation First Response (VA) 91.16 four stars

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This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Wounded Warrior Project
4899 Belfort Road
Suite 300
Jacksonville, FL 32256
tel: (877) 832-6997
fax: (904) 296-7347
EIN: 20-2370934

Mail donations to:
P.O. Box 758517
Topeka, KS 66675

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Jonathan Woodson
Chair

CEO

Michael Linnington
Chief Executive Officer

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