MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Report: Practices of Russell Wilson’s foundation in question

Feb 8, 2023, 4:09 PM

Russell Wilson...

Russell Wilson and Ciara at the ESPY awards. (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation raises millions of dollars, but according to a six-month USA Today investigation, less than half goes to charity.

Wilson’s organization reported it spent almost $600,000 benefiting charities in 2020 and 2021. But, spent nearly twice as much, $1.1 million, on salaries and employee benefits, according to the report citing federal tax records.

The foundation also reportedly exaggerated how much money it was responsible for bringing in.

“The Why Not You Foundation donated $78,000 to Seattle Children’s Hospital in 2019, according to tax records, a fraction of the $2.6 million check presented. It has donated $836,000 to Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation since its inception, according to tax records.”

Why Not You spent more than $200,000 for an executive who also worked for the family’s office, raising possible legal questions, according to non-profit experts.

In an email to USA Today, “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,” Scott Pickett, CFO of the foundation, wrote. “Those funds were raised, in large part, through the work of the foundation, but you would not see all of those dollars in the foundation’s tax documents.”

Starbucks takes another hit in fight against unions

The Why Not You group said partnerships it’s involved with make an indirect impact on charities.

However, less than half of all money raised by the foundation, $2.8 million, goes to charitable activities. The remaining $4.2 million go towards fundraising, administrative, and management activities.

In 2021, the most recent year for which federal tax records are available, Why Not You reported $1.2 million in revenue and $1.2 million in expenses, including $340,000 spent on program services.

The top three executives in Why Not You account for $441,000 in expenses.

“I think that they were paid appropriately based on their talent, experience, and the knowledge they were bringing to us,” said Mark Rodgers, Wilson’s attorney and sports agent, to USA Today.

CharityWatch, the only independent charity watchdog group in the country, said top executives’ salaries do not align with how much Why Not You generates. “An important part of how a nonprofit justifies its existence is by quantifying what it is accomplishing relative to the resources it receives,” Laurie Styron, the executive director said.

Schlereth: What went wrong in Broncos’ 1st season with Russell Wilson

The charity’s federal tax returns list only three voting members of its governing body, including Wilson, the president, who is unpaid. Zero is independent of family or outside financial ties to Wilson.

Russell Wilson has not commented on the story or addressed the issue on his Twitter feed.

The Russell Wilson Foundation, doing business as the Why Not You Foundation, was established in 2014.

MyNorthwest News

zlab...

Frank Sumrall

‘I’m more humble now’: Joe Zlab shares his Jan. 6 experience after Trump pardon

Joe Zlab was among Trump's 1,500 issued pardons for those who were convicted or criminally charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

1 hour ago

pizza hut stabbing...

Frank Sumrall

Person stabbed in Everett Pizza Hut parking lot, suspect arrested after search

A stabbing in a Pizza Hut parking lot in Everett sent a person to the hospital, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

4 hours ago

edmonds scam...

Frank Sumrall

Scam threatening arrest if person fails to pay fine for missing jury duty infiltrates Edmonds area

A new scam floating around the Edmonds area is threatening arrest to the people contacted if they fail to pay a fine for missing jury duty.

4 hours ago

Photo: A crash blocked traffic north of Arlington....

Julia Dallas

WSP believes racing involved in deadly crash near Arlington, witnesses needed

The Washington State Patrol is looking for anyone who witnessed a deadly collision near Arlington on Monday.

20 hours ago

Photo: A tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England. A tiger similar to this one has been impacted...

Julia Dallas

Another wild cat succumbs to bird flu at local shelter as FDA issues precautions on cat food

A local felid sanctuary is mourning the loss of another wild cat after more than a dozen animals at the shelter died from bird flu.

21 hours ago

portland elections office...

Martha Bellisle, The Associated Press and KIRO 7 News Staff

‘Orchestrated attack’ on Portland elections office shatters dozens of windows, police say

A group of people broke dozens of windows and spray painted anti-government graffiti on a Portland elections office.

23 hours ago

Report: Practices of Russell Wilson’s foundation in question