Failing to Serve America’s Heroes on the Home Front

They are a disgrace.The Veterans sacrificed there lives and are not getting the funds due to them.The man in charge is living high on the hog,while the Vets miss out.Jail is to good for him.

Veterans were heros after WW2 but came to regarded as burdens by the 1950′s and it had only gotten worse. Veterans have served an ungrateful nation.

This was very informittive, there should be more investagations carry out on the so-called charities in this country. Please report on the better charities, so that more monies will be directed towards those in need. Thank you.

Do you have any information to:
Disabled American Veterans,in Cincinnati Ohio.
Thanks for your time , Frank

Excellent reporting.Now I know what organizations I should no longer contribute to.You should do this also for those organizations serving American Indian charities;abandoned children;etc.
Thanks for providing this most useful service.When they feel the pressure maybe some of those “F” rated groups will mend their way.
Rafael

Could you supply me a complete Report Card so I do not contribute to the “less than reputable” charities soliciting our money. We believe the Vet’s should be treated with the utmost respect for their outstanding contributions to keeping our nation free and safe.

Am I Vietnam Vet, U.S.C.G., 1967 all I can say, from my own experiences, is the the ‘charities’ rip up off as bad as the government does! Bottomline folks is that neither the government nor the ‘citizens’ give a damn abt us after the war/s. Check out the high divorce rates & the unwilliness of companies to hire us after combat. Frankly ‘merica is a sick joke. TKU.

After hearing your report this morning on GMA, I would hope that you could follow-up with a positive report from lesser known charities contributing 95% of donations to our returning wounded and disabled American Veterans.
Our non-profit, American Love and Appreciation Fund, Inc. dba Veteran Love has helped close to 100 servicemen and women and their families over the past 18 months. We pick up the slack when servicemembers cannot get their disability checks in a timely manner and go without income, therefore on the verge of eviction. We pay for plane tickets for parents or spouses to be with their loved one in the hospitals such as Tampa’s James A. Haley VA.
Please consider highlighting those of us who do not take a salary directly from the organization and how we do provide direct support to our wounded and disabled American heroes.

I have given to Disabled American Veterans for years. I did not see this on your report card. How did they rate?

Good start. I’ll be real careful not to send money off to any of those on the ‘F’ list in the future. But what happened to all the charities which
got B-pluses and C-Minuses? Were there none of them? What are their names? It seems that your report, as presented, is missing quite a bit.
You get an ‘incomplete’.

What about the rest, example, I donate to the Disabled American Veterans, where do they rate?
I would like to see the whole list, could you direct me to a web site that rates all charities? Not just the veteran charities?
Thanks,
Duane

YOU MENTIONED THE 13 THAT FAILED. DOES THAT MEAN ALL THE OTHERS (NON VETERAN)ARE IN GOOD STANDING? FOR ARGUEMENT SAKE – AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION.
PERHAPS ITS BEST WE STOP SENDING TO ALL CHARITIES OTHER THAN ST.JUDES RESEARCH HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN?

PLEASE PROVIDE A FULL LIST OF CHARITIES.
I GIVE TO MANY AND WOULD LIKE MORE INFO.
THANK YOU

The web-site Give.org evaluates and reports on chartitable organizations.

I would also like to have additional charity information, since I’ve sent to other charities and am real concerned. Thank you and keep up the good work.

There is only one way to fix this…the government needs to regulate the minimum % amount required for donation in order for a business to be called a “charity” and the maximum income a charity owner can claim. I work with a veteran’s organization that raises funds for scholarships and 100% of our profit goes toward the scholarships. Each and every one of our members volunteers their time and money to make sure monies get raised and go to the correct place. Each of us can go to bed at night with a clear conscience. They should be ashamed of themselves–SHUT THEM DOWN!!!

Like Duane S., I would also like to know a site that rates all charities.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
Loss Retired US Air Force

I find it disgusting that these organizations can call themselves charities when they are taking advantage of the individuals they purportedly serve. American veterans deserve the best service is possible and every American should be outraged with the outcome of the story.

Just like Duane we donate to the Disabled American Vets. If this is a good or bad operation no one knows from your report. I wonder how many people will stop donating because of your incomplete report???? Don

Just like Duane we donate to the Disabled American Vets. If this is a good or bad operation no one knows from your report. I wonder how many people will stop donating because of your incomplete report???? Don

Dear Sirs,
I am an Air Force Vet. with 34 years of service. I have donated cloths, household articles and money to several of these organizations on a consistant basis. THANK YOU. You have exposed the wolfs in sheep’s clothing for what they are. I WILL NOT DONATE to them in the future. Perhaps with more articles like this they will go out of business.
Clement
MSGT USAF RET.

I was sickened to hear the horrible veteran charities report this morning on GMA. The responsible ones should be SO ASHAMED! And the absolute worst, the reduction of donations in the future due to a few (or maybe MANY) bad apples. Please continue to update the public of those charities that are worthy of their donations to help our veterans who may need our assistance.

I have donated to two of the organizations on the “F” list:
Paralyzed Veterans of America and Help Hospitalized Veterans. After hearing and reading about the scams which include these two organizations, neither will no longer be getting any donations from me. What a terrible shame that people like Chapin can “use” our wounded veterans to get rich.

Here in FL I donate to a non profit group called Veteran’s Action Project, Inc.
How can I check to see if they have a good rating?

You did a great job of highlighting the worst offenders and I appreciate it. You have everyone upset enough so they won’t be donating at all. Please quickly follow-up with those organization that either get the A’s and/or do the most good for our injured soldiers. This is the time of year that many people make donations. Let us know where our money will be well spent. Thank you.

I would also like to see the full report on all 27 agencies. I donate to several and would like to be more selective in my givings. If you can direct me to the full report, I would be grateful.
Bruce

The people that manage these “charities” have cheated our veterans and stolen from our patriotic citizens. I can’t imagine standing at my judgement day and trying to explain that to God. To steal from people who are in a time of need is the worst of sins.

How can we know for sure if a charity is an “A” grade? Is there a website that divulges this information? This is very discouraging for all future giving’s from my pocket. :-(
Thanks for the report.

The whole country is corrupt; every dog for hisself; these people who have stolen money from the vets should be taken out and shot.
Vietnam Veteran 69-70

Thank you for this report-we have always
tried to support our troops and have sent money. We see that we have sent money to the WRONG people! Would it be possible to send or post the addresses for the two A+ charities? We value our freedom and feel these men and women should never have to want for anything.

I have given to several veterans charities since I am a vet. I will no longer give the charities that recieved an “F”. Please continue your investigation and let me know how to obtain a complete list and rating of all veterans charities.

We contribute to r major veteran charities each year. None of our charities are on the top or bottom list shown. How do we gt the veteranmilitary list?
Thanks
G. R. Powell

This is outrageous. I worked in a veterans hospital for many years and have donated to various fundraisers for at least 20 years and now i see the money doesn’t get there! I am furious. From now on I will only give to the charities you have advised are an A. I have been giving to many of the “F’s” for a long time and it will stop today. Thank you ABC.

You’ve listed Veteran Organizations that have received your grading of “F”, but you have not listed the reasons for this finding. I’m particularly interested in PVA, because my husband is a Service Officer for PVA and works very hard to help every Veteran to receive the highest rating for which they are eligible. He takes great pride in his work, and he was very incensed upon hearing this report because of the bad light it projects on all the hard working Service Officers across this country whose daily job it is to work on behalf of their client to get the highest benefits possible which helps these men and women adjust to life after their disability. Every year Paralyzed Veterans of America helps countless numbers of paraplegics and quadraplegics adjust to a life many thought had ended with their injuries. These Service Officers work to get a variety of benefits that allows these devastated vets to live a more fulfilling life, dealing with their disability at home, at work, in society, and in ways none of us could ever imagine. You might also have reported that the Service Organization side of these institutions are not the same as the Charity side, therefore not alienating veterans from seeking the aid of the Service side of these Organizations that do SO much for our honorable Veterans.

According to your story the veterans are getting screwed twice.the charities are witholding a lot of the monetary help they have available and a lot of vets are contributing out of their own pockets. Where can I get more reliable information? If what you say is true I’m disgusted.The American public does not deserve the shabby treatment they’re getting. As a former POW and combat wounded vet I can say that the Vetrans Administration has treated me well at all times. This charity thing annoys me since a lot of them are managed by fellow vets. I find it very hard to believe we’re getting screwed by our own.Where can I get more reliable information?

I am Veteran i have always donate to Veterans Charity but what i saw on T.V this morning i will STOP my donation

As an active member of the American Legion and Adjutant of a local Post, I am appalled at this report. Shame on me for not looking into these more closely and SHAME on those for the gross misuses and neglect of all veterans, many who depend on such donations. The VA may not have to continue to seek so much more funds if these charities cheating the Vets would “pay up” instead of padding their own pockets. Making a living is one thing- living it up is another!
Herb Pratt, Msgt USAF Ret

Brian,
We need a complete list of charities and their ratings so we don’t get taken in the future. I’m tired to giving money to organizations that only provide a big salary to their founder.

Thank you for this report. I just received a mailing from the Disabled Veterans of America. They included Christmas cards and said I wasn’t obligated to send money but the majority of people usually do. I didn’t respond even though I was very tempted to send money because our veterans are a group of people I support very much. It wasn’t a couple of weeks when I received a reminder letter from them in the mail. If I wasn’t obligated, why are they sending reminder letters out? To be honest-we ripped it up before we opened it because I am so tired of getting these type of mailings. The phone calls from these and other types of organizations are very annoying as well.

This is a terrible thing that charities are ripping off the Veterans. There are some charities who rate 4 stars and one is the Disabled American Veterans. The biggest crime of all though is Congress not passing manditory funding for our Veterans medical care. Right now it is descresionary funding and they get whatever Congress feels they can give and it’s never approved on time so the health care system is always struggling for money to take care of our Veterans. Contact your Senators and Congressmen and demand that they pass a Manditory Funding Bill for our Veterans.

How sad. If the government would take care of the thousands of people they’re using as pawns in the “War on Terror”, these poor vets wouldn’t have to rely on shady, greedy charities.
Way to view the big picture, Washington D.C.! Don’t start a war if you can’t pick up the pieces afterward.

This is a terrible thing that charities are ripping off the Veterans. There are some charities who rate 4 stars and one is the Disabled American Veterans. The biggest crime of all though is Congress not passing manditory funding for our Veterans medical care. Right now it is descresionary funding and they get whatever Congress feels they can give and it’s never approved on time so the health care system is always struggling for money to take care of our Veterans. Contact your Senators and Congressmen and demand that they pass a Manditory Funding Bill for our Veterans.

While I appreciate the information, how can this be considered complete reporting? How can the individual charitable contributor find this type of information out? Where is the link to the watchdog’s website?

This is a national disgrace. Our service men and women deserve the best from this nation for which they are willing to give their lives. These charities and probably more should be shut down. Put them out of business today. They are robing all of us.
Audrey, NY

Donate to local organizations in your home town. that way you know what the money is being used for. i am a member of all the veterans organizations and i dont donat to national headquarters of any of them. I keep my money in my home town and i suggest you all do the same thing.
MSG, US Army, Retired

I want to know why these groups/founders have not been investigated by Congress? Some have been in business for so long–shame on the regulators for not exposing and shutting the groups/individuals down. Thanks for a great report. I will now send my donations to Fisher House.
Angry Vet!

I think the real issue here is it illegal? I think you have to be careful not to start closes businesses down at will if it is not illegal. The Fundraisers are getting to much then im all for a law to limit how much the Fundraiser can get. Fundraisers pay for their employees, insurance, legal fees, rent,phones, utilities,letters, so their are a lot of costs for the Fundraiser so keep that in mind. I get what people are saying but if the Charity is doing their best with what they have left then sounds like business to me.Charitys also have expenses it takes money to give money, people who donate 5,10 dollars it takes quite a bit to get it out to the Vets. I say as long as the Charity does what they say they will do with the money then they are fine.Everyone should ask the caller how much the Charity actually gets,I cant work for free but I dont get a large 6 figure income, so I do the best I can for the people we help.

Can’t believe that all these years I been giving my hard earned money to snakes that use our Heroes to get filty rich…You should all be ashamed of yourselves taking money that was meant to help those who laid their lives on the line serving our Country..You won’t be getting any more of mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

America has been “failing it’s heroes” since the end of the Korean War. The Vietnam war should be the poster child for America failing it’s “heroes” and what we should not do. We were spat upon, vilified, treated like baby killers, and in the end, America still does not quite know how to deal with Vietnam veterans due to guilt, as far as I can tell. Why would the current wars be any different? We continue to put soldiers in harm’s way, oft times unnecessarily, and when the soldiers return, we leave them to their own devices. Yesterday the popular media reported 1/4 of homeless Americans are veteran’s. This is abysmal and disgraceful. How can this be? Oh, it be, baby. The U.S. Government has failed hospitalized and returning soldiers since the end of Vietnam. Does someone think war is fun and easily forgotten? The government does not make one, single improvement until they are embarrassed by media coverage of dismal conditions in Veteran’s hospitals. We have spent almost $1 trillion dollars in the last six years on failed U.S. policy, but cannot get homeless vets off the streets; why, because there is no money left? It is time for change in this country, serious, significant, long lasting change. If most of the homeless vets were women, I guarantee you something would have been done by now. Men in America somehow are seen as disposable and of less value than women. This must change and men must fight for change until our voice is heard. Men are valuable and deserve better treatment. We focus on women enough in this country as it is and men should recieve their own recognition, support, and badly needed help for the contributions they have made without apology and somehow having to bow to the counter demands of women 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It seems we cannot do anything specifically for men without some woman simultaneously saying “what about us”? Grow up. American society does more for women than can be listed here. If America did half as much for the men, we would be grateful instead of whining about how much more we “demand”. Are we resentful? You bet, and mad as hell. This story is not only about charities ripping off veterans. It’s about long standing attitudes.

I ws wounded Three times in the Vietnam Conflict. I do collect disability from the government,but I just barely get by.I live with extreme pane every day and have been for the 40 years in 2008.I worked for non-profit charities my entire work life,until about May of 2006, when I suffered a diabling stroke, which are effects from my war injuries in 1968. My point is: there are some honest good charities out there! It’s too bad that a few greedy indidvuals,make all charities look bad.AS I stated, I am a disabled Vet, who could use some help myself, do you have any suggestion where I could get some finnancial asistance. I am willing to work, but no one will hire a sixty year old disaled Vet, who only has use of one arm and has to use that arm to walk with a cane? Thanks for doing the article, more of this kind of misjustics needs to get exposed.

For everyone looking for a list of charities and their “grade,” the Better Business Bureau has a list at give.org. The best charities spend less than 15% of their total take on overhead. It’s unfortunate that so many charities are shams that siphon money away from reputable organizations.

It seems reasonable to me if a “charity” donates so little to the actual cause it should not be allowed to operate under the name “charity” and their tax exempt status should be denied. Obviously we don’t have laws firm enough to protect us. No wonder I don’t donate much any longer beyond a couple of areas – I can not trust anybody. I also vote all salaries need to be known. Upfront.

I find it interesting that you didn’t include a charity you have publicized in the past. According to the Combined Federal Campaign, Operation Homefront has an AFR of 34.6% in the 2007 directory. And, yet, you make no mention of them on your list. Is it because you have publicized them in the past and promoted the christmas event last year? I certainly hope you have reconsidered for THIS year based on their listing with CFC. Or is that why you failed to mention them? You can go to their own site for a thread where people have questioned them about their practices and been left without answers. I’m surprised that GMA would not support an organization like The Fisher House rather than one with such high overhead.

charitywatch.org is the website for the American Institute of Philanthropy from this story…. it provides an alphabetical listing of organizations and how the institute rated them.

I, TOO, AM INTERESTED IN HOW THE DISABLED VETERANS RATED. ALSO, MAYBE IF THE PARALYZED VETERANS WOULD SPEND LESS ON MAILING RETURN ADDRESS LABELS EVERY WEEK, THEY’D HAVE MORE MONEY TO SPEND ON THE VETERANS.

I donate to the DVA also, and didn’t see the report card. When I went online to check, the report card wanted $3 to send me the results…

This report is incomplete and misleading. It does not explain how AIP comes up with its rating system and how an “F” may not equal a poorly run charity. It also lacked investigations into firm’s Form 990′s and other rating sites such as Charity Navigator and Guidestar.

A sleepy nation awakes to see the truth and does not like it. Should we expect the same distribution from all the faith based initiatives by bush? The DID NOT SERVE administration is a tad bit greedy folks, sorry to say many told you through the years and yet you clinged to their fruition. SAD…

Thank you Brian Ross for bringing this to our attention. Like many others who have commented here, I too donate regularly to 2 of the charities on your “F” list, but will no longer do so. I donate to help our veterans and to let them know they’re not forgotten, not to give some creep a six-figure income. This is an outrage. I hope Congress does investigate this and sets penalties and fines for those agency that are falling below the 35% margin. I’d also like to see how other similar agencies measure up. In response to a few comments about “what has happened to us” (as a nation) I can tell you what has happened – materialism and greed have taken control. Also, we do not regulate businesses, charities, etc the way we used to. I’m sure these are not the only charities that are scamming us. I’m done with the lot of them…as the saying goes, charity begins at home!

I too was shocked about this report. I’ve donated to Paralyzed Vets and Disabled Vets for years. I’d like to know how to properly vet these organizations, so that I can feel good about giving, rather than feel like a fool.

I use Charity Navigator and the WA Sec of State’s Charity Review as the basis for my donating. Any charity using less that 80-85% for the purpose espoused is on my discard list. I keep a notebook with the date, charity, and amount on hand. This way I keep track of who, when and how much is given. This is necessary to keep track of the deluge of reguests, cards, blankets, flags, key chains, pencils,calendars, etc. ad infinitum that are received. Next year, only those with a passing grade get anything, the rest are going into a trash bucket just to see how many are actually received. Will probably need a hand truck by the end of the year to move it.

Please give us a complete list of all
the military charities you investigated.
I have given to DAV for many years and
would like to know where they fall
between A-F.
Virginia

I also give to vet organizations and would like to know where I can get alist of “f” ccharities

Yes, it’s about time we forced some standards to charities and to those cold-calling organizations who “collect on the behalf of” charities and pass on a tiny percent to them.
We need to legislate a minimum of 50% of all proceeds go to the cause. We need to legislate maximum allowable salaries for executives in charitable organizations. We need to mandate that anyone found guily of misappropriating charitable funds be forced to repay 100%, though repayment or community service, even if that leaves them sleeping in a cardboard box for the remainder of their lives. We need to mandate that cold-callers MUST turn over 90% or more of their collections to the charity and that NO-ONE can be paid. There are plenty of volunteers, or white collar criminals who need some community service, to staff charities at all levels.

THANK YOU to all who wrote in, to YOU MR. BECK AND OTHERS who fought for our freedoms. I think that only vets themselves should be running these charities. Those who won’t support and stand behind our troops ought to stand in front of them. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!

I would like to encourage you to learn more about Operation Homefront – a national charity that supports the troops and their families, and our returning wounded. I’m sure they would have received high marks for low overhead and serving many military families and wounded in crisis.
They are a certified 4 star charity by Charity Navigator. Be sure to use the available resources like charity navigator when you donate your money!!!

I thought something like this might come up someday.
When I was in high school, a classmate recruited a bunch of cute girls to help the Disabled American Veterans by asking shoppers for spare change outside local stores and restaurants. When we were done, they gave us 10% of everything we had collected. O tried to refuse the money and donate it back to the DAV, but they would not accept it. They said that money was already figured into their budget as “overhead” and we’d screw up their accounting if we gave the money back.

Its very sad to say the least.
Have suspected this for some time and now check 1st w/ Charity Navigator for ratings. If 2 stars or less advise that they should improve rating first before I give.
In some cases I have requested to be removed from mailing list. The worse are those who send money (dollar Bill) or gifts.
The real bad ones are those who are religion connected.
I have notice a large increased in new charitable type of organizations recently so have to suspect that the government tax and nonprofit rules are very loose and make it is easy to set up.
Next tax year I will be using a very restricted list when giving. Better to give more to fewer.
Keep up the good work

PLEASE PROVIDE A FULL LIST OF CHARITIES.
I GIVE TO MANY AND WOULD LIKE MORE INFO.
THANK YOU
This is outrageous!!!
First the VA hostpital issue and now this!!!
Shame on you with your lavish lifestyle,
kicking a veteran down when they needed it more!!

In today’s ABC News story, “Failing to Serve America’s Heroes,” ABC has unfortunately chosen the eve of Veterans’ Day to attack the AMVETS National Service Foundation and some other very reputable service organizations using highly questionable statistics.
Citing the research of Dan Borochoff of the American Institute of Philanthropy, the report gives the AMVETS National Service Foundation a failing grade for allegedly spending less than 35 percent of its charitable donations on “bona fide charitable programs.” However, the AMVETS National Service Foundation’s 2005 Form 990 on file with the Internal Revenue Service, which is a matter of public record, clearly states the Foundation spent 77.2 percent of all contributions on programs directly benefiting our veterans. In fact, the AIP itself only returned 70.7 percent of its public support revenue to programs in 2005, according to its own 990 filed with the IRS. The AIP only offers high marks to charities spending more than 75 percent on programs, and fails to appear in its own online charity rating guide.
Borochoff, who provided the ratings for today’s ABC News story, has not yet responded to an AMVETS query about the AIP’s rating system.
AMVETS National Service Foundation is a recognized member of Independent Charities of America, whose eligibility requirements provide that an organization may not spend more than 25 percent of public support and revenue on operating overhead (administrative and fund raising costs). Members of the public who generously give to the Foundation may rest assured their contributions directly enable AMVETS to continue its mission of service to our nation’s heroes in uniform. From Sept. 1, 2006 through Aug. 31, 2007, AMVETS National Service Officers completed 65,835 VA claims on behalf of veterans, resulting in $323,964,340 in retroactive and claims benefits paid to those veterans. This is just one service AMVETS is able to offer free of charge to veterans though the support of the AMVETS National Service Foundation.
ABC’s story, carefully timed to coincide with Veteran’s Day, is undoubtedly designed to provide a timely hook and salacious, head-turning copy, but only takes advantage of and disrespects this holiday’s honorees, American veterans. AMVETS remains at the forefront of America’s leading veterans service organizations as it has since its inception in 1944. AMVETS is committed and resolute in its mission of service to our veterans through advocacy, representation, legislative reform, and award-winning national programs.
Veterans Serving Veterans and the Military,
John
AMVETS National Commander

This is the saddest thing I could have read….! I have a son that just returned home from IRAQ (safely..thank God) and I have a personal love for our military. I have always believed that no matter what our political views are, our military must be backed at all costs! I am not a rich woman, but have been contributing to the Paralyzed Vets of America for over a decade! I am sick to think that all the monies given were in vain. I am not living a rich life, but gave what I could to help our vets! I did not intend for the charity workers to become rich!! I am angry!
Our military are not putting their lives on the line, with a pittance of a salary for people like this!!

Click on the link to see the list of other organizations. Everyone asked about “Disabled American Veterans” (DAV). They got a D rating. Probably a lot of overhead is used to send out all those address label stickers.

I would like to know where all the veteran’s organizations stand. Please list them in order of the percentage given to the veterans. What is a normal expense percentage to take off the top?
Thanks,
Jack

Your story was misleading. As a result of this unfortunate report, some excellent “Service Organizations” will suffer significantly. The true meaning of a “Service Organization” is to provide service to the men and women in need of help. Service can be in the form of assistance in obtaining benefits and health care; it can be in the form of publishing clinical guidelines to assist medical staff in the treatment of serious injuries or illness; it can be in the form of sporting events to boost a recently injured Veteran’s morale and confidence: it can be in the form of design guides for accessibility to public and private buildings. Service does not necessarily mean a direct money donation to an individual. Unfortunately because you have established your own definition of charity with a bench mark that apparently does not include “service”, these long established organizations will suffer. I encourage everyone to learn more about the organizations they support, not just listen to the media. Talk with someone that has been helped by that organization and then decide where to donate your time and resources.

What a disgrace, to ask of our own kids to give their lives and then treat them like beggars when they return. Every last soldier who had to go into bush’s cherry-picked conquest should be millionaires when they return home.. every last one of them!

What about the gov’t? If they where treating the vets the way the should these so called charities wouldn’t need to exist.

I am retired from the military.. Belong to the DAV, American Legion… Do not pretend to know the answer to these rip-offs.. All I can say,, if you scam any charity,, you will surely have a special place in HELL.

I’ll bet the people in charge of these F rated charities are big GOP supporters. Wealthy GOP supporters will gladly send your kids to wars they start,and then forget them,except for phony catchy phrases saying they “support the troops”. It’s all about greed in the end.

Shame on all of you who assume the worse! The fact of the matter is this story is full of holes. The facts aren’t put out there for you to read. Why grade F? have any of you who post comments go into detail or just assume what the media tells you is true. These Veteran Organizations have done more good than most people who have critized them in these posts could ever do. To all of these organizations who are right now are preparing to honor their past and present veterans, I thank you for the work you do!

I saw this article today and the video. It wasn’t mentioned that Roger Chapin also founded the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes based, at present, in Ossining, NY. He pulled his same tricks there and fired three people when they tried to do something about it. CSAH continues to do business with the same fund raiser’s Mr. Chapin claims are responsible for the high cost of Charity work. We found this charity to be giving less than .35 cents of every dollar to the troops when they advertise .92 cents. I hope this organization can be investigated and that Mr. Chapin and his ilk are put out of business for once and for all. Our wounded troops deserve better. We did our best and were terminated for trying to fix the problem. Tell the Senator he can contact me anytime and I have plenty for him.

Help Hospitalized Veterans provides a valuable service to those veterans that are wounded and in the hospital receiving care!!! This story is incredibly one sided, get your facts right!

This is not news. Any vet who falls ill or needs help will tell you never to go to a veteran’s charity. They all want your money, but don’t you dare ask for anything. If you do, you’re not a disabled vet, but another piece of street trash looking for a handout.

Freedom Alliance gets an F. That’s the one hosting those ‘Freedom Concerts’ with Hannity and Oliver North. From the website it looks like they wouldn’t even supply their information.

Disabled American Vets is on page 2:
they got a “D” grade!!!
I have been giving to them for years!
OH NO
To all the good charities out there:
Start advertising your grades, your helpful activities and give us a link to look this up.

For 62 years, Paralyzed Veterans has been doing A-plus work for all veterans, people with disabilities and their families 24/7. This year alone we broke the billion-dollar barrier in benefits secured over the past decade for our brave service members and veterans and awarded grants of nearly $1.5 million for spinal cord injury research and education projects. Nearly 73% of all donations received directly benefit our veterans – we report 64.5% because we absorb the overhead costs of the program work for our three foundations. This Veterans Day, we encourage everyone to do something good for all veterans and their families.

I have been sending money to several of these orgainizations because my daughter is in her 5th year with the Air Force and my father served in WWII
I donated money to Vets First and was supposed to get a throw blanket. they cased my check but I did not get the throw. I have also donated to the disabled vets. this is very distrubing, I really wanted to take care of the vets not the CEO’s lifestyle.

For 62 years, Paralyzed Veterans has been doing A-plus work for all veterans, people with disabilities and their families 24/7. This year alone we broke the billion-dollar barrier in benefits secured over the past decade for our brave service members and veterans and awarded grants of nearly $1.5 million for spinal cord injury research and education projects. Nearly 73% of all donations received directly benefit our veterans – we report 64.5% because we absorb the overhead costs of the program work for our three foundations. This Veterans Day, we encourage everyone to do something good for all veterans and their families, and to go to pva.org to find out more about the A-plus work we do.

First I’d like to thank our vets and their families for their sacrafice for us and our great nation! These guys should be ashamed of themselves. We all have an obligation to help our wounded heroes when they return home. How dare they steal from them and us! I’d like to shed some light on Mr. Chapin’s claim that his costs of fund raising are so high that he can’t give more to our wounded. Did you know that Mr. Chapin does business with a direct mail company that is incented to be ineffecient? What kind of business person negotiates that deal? The direct mail company is compensated for each piece of mail sent out. That is right. That is why many of you are receiving up to 10 pieces of mail a week from the same organization.

One more thing. People have been asking why doesn’t the government do something to stop these scam artists? Guess what. We at the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, who were terminated by Mr. Chapin for trying to straighten out his carnival huckster act, asked for assistance from the New York State Attorney General’s office and were brushed off. We also asked for help from newly elected NY Congressman John Hall. Never even got a reply from his office, but isn’t that so typical of a politician? Run for office promise the vets this and that, get elected, and go into the cave until next election when they can emerge and make some brand new promises. The woods are lovely, dark, and deep and I have promises to break before I sleep. Step up Mr. Attorney General and Mr. Hall.

All charities should be regulated by the government in order to gain “charity” status. CEO’s of these organizations shouldn’t be earning more than the President of the United States either. How can we allow them to take the tax deductions intended for a charity when they seem to be big business? Don’t stop with just the veterans organizations – look at the American Red Cross. My only personal encounter with them was after an apartment fire when they called non-stop for two days, only asking the same question repeatedly, “Is the media there yet?” It seemed to me that as long as the media wasn’t showing up – neither were they. My son is in the military and tells me that even USO would offer coffee at various events (that the military guys had to pay for). It is a disgrace and these organizations need to be accountable to the citizens of the U.S. if they want the tax credits.

WOW! What a distorted and shameful use and I am not talking about the VET groups. One of the organizations mentioned was AMVETS. If the idea was to present the fact that the money was not getting to the hands of Veterans, that may be true. I believe the distortion lays (lies)there. I am an employee and assist those Veterans on a daily basis. My office is on a military base and I assist those leaving military service in submitting their claims to the VA. This service is provided at no charge/fee to the military member or Veteran. Also, there is no requirement to join our organization to receive this service. This is not only a VA directive, but is firmly embraced by AMVETS. This service allows Veterans to receive EVERYTHING they are legally entitled to receive. Can the VA do this, yes. AMVETS is the ADVOCATE for that Veteran. Using this service, we build a valid claim, answering VA’s questions and shorting process time for the Veteran. A valid claim with supporting documention ensures a well informed Veteran and a VA decision that reduces appeals. Again, at NO CHARGE TO THE VETERAN! The Veteran is able to receive this service because of AMVETS use of the National Service Foundation. I have seen the pay scales and I truely don’t beleive there is any “six figure” pay anywhere. Here’s a little fact that you FAILED to mention. AMVETS, while being one of the smallest Veterans organization is also one of the lowest paid. Also, AMVETS seems to one of the few Veterans organization that, I like to say, doesn’t discriminate. Most others require for membership certian conditions above military service. Must have a certain award, served in a certain place/time or achived a certain rank. For those reading that have served in the military, you know that very few get to choose where we go. In the military you go where you are told, when you are told. AMVETS only asks two questions. In a time when many will not serve their country, AMVETS only askes, “Did you serve?? and “Did you serve honorably?”
ABC, you aired this distorted piece on near Veterans Day for ratings. AMVETS will continue to stand up for our fellow Veterans. We will continue to provide the much needed services to our fellow Veterans, and do so without “selling insurance” or using “membership dues” to fund this. For those reading this. Do you want Veterans to continue to have representation to the VA and not have to pay a lawyer? Support that Service Officer, buy something from the AMVETS Thrift Store or make a donation. Is it supporting ADMIN costs, yep. It’s keeping that Servce Office open and helping Veterans.
SR Smith

In response we have to ABC’s assault on our fundraising program. It was not considered in their presentation and we have received no acknowledgement of its receipt, although the investigative reporter acknowledged the error made in their presentation.
The MOPH Service Foundation supports the many programs of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and other veteran’s programs. As the fund raising organization we are asked to provide over 10 million dollars a year. Since the MOPH Service Foundation deals in Car and Thrift Store programs that bring in the bulk of the money needed; we are not like other cash contribution non-profit organizations.
We are required to advertise both the car and thrift store operation in a wide variety of media across the country. Our attempt to obtain free advertising space in both print and electronic media has consistently fallen on deaf ears. As a result, we pay these media outlets a large sum of money which would be better utilized in supporting the programs we sponsor, in particular those of the MOPH.
Needless to say if such a program existed, the percentage of funds received that were then used to directly support our programs would increase considerably. For the record, the percentage attributed to us by ABC news is much lower than the actual figure, a product of our recently completed audit.
The MOPH Service Foundation is proud of our contributions to both the veterans and active duty military communities over the past 50 years.

Let’s stand up..earthling people and seek and bring peace to the world.Many decent and upright US soldiers from Generals to the foot soldiers who knew it was wrong and a mistake to fight in the Bush’s War have either resigned, retired,been fired or courtmartiled or who knows what else, to Them I salute for their honesty, bravery and being a True Patriot of the Planet Earth, God bless you all with peace and joy .

Did you all know? The last stand by General George A. Custer ,defeated by Chief Crazy Horse of the Sioux Nation at Little Bighorn, when the then commander in chief-President Grant , who along with his adminsitration and brother willfully sent General Custer to his dealth and defeat…becasue General Custer was decent and upright enough to testify against President Grant ‘s corrupt admisntration .Nothing much has changed and now with the Bush’s war…raging ,babies, children,civilians,resistenace-defenders and invaders are dying everyday for Bush’S private war and we the world citizens too are suffering….so much for global family.Let’s stand up..earthling people and seek and bring peace to the world.Many decent and upright US soldiers from Generals to the foot soldiers who knew it was wrong and a mistake to fight in the Bush’s War have either resigned, retired,been fired or courtmartiled or who knows what else, to Them I salute for their honesty, bravery and being a True Patriot of the Planet Earth, God bless you all with peace and joy .

Job well done. More people need to understand where their money goes. Could you please send me a list of these ratings? I am Pres. of Amvets #47, Aux. We do LOTS of LOCAL charitable
work and account for all monies. Keep in mind, there are many good organizations also. Please Support our Troops, WE DO.

I have worked directly with several organizations that received poor grades. As others have pointed out, the methodology of the grading is highly suspect and can greatly distort the good work these organizations do. And ABC, shame on you for implying that all the organizations receiving poor grades are somehow dishonest and scamming people. The damage you have done to good and upright organizations here… shame on you!!

Ben, you cannot campare the United Way and the American Red Cross to a group that has assisted 300 soldiers in two years. Not to dis your support, that is not my intention–if you help just one vet you are making a difference. Thanks. What I’m talking about is efficient fundraising. I have recieved dozens of letters from multiple organizations (many in the same week). These folks are more concerned with spending money on the fundraising “machine” then with optimizing mission delivery and controlling overhead. The folks that make the pencils, calendars, magnets, and other “stuff” included in these mailing are really cleaning up, as are the businesses that are doing all the mailings! Business is business, Ben, but charity is supposed to be “non-profit”. If folks want to make a confortable living raising money to support a cause, great, but they should not be entitled to play both sides and qualify for tax-exmept status if they continue to run the organization as if a for-profit. Hiding behind loopholes and creative accounting may be legal (at least for now) but these tactics are against the entire concept of giving–it’s not about taking. When someone donates to support a service member,family or child of a fallen soldier, they expect at least a majority of their contribution will go to where they intended it to go in the first place. They did not intend their contribution to end up as crumbs that are left once the “cost” of doing business has been deducted. If organizations continue to claim high overhead and fundraising costs as a part of “doing business as usual”, they should take a long, hard look at their business model. Something is broken. Regardless, thanks for making a difference with the 300 you assisted.
Mark

Maybe we need to all take a deep breath and scold the author for not taking a deeper look into these reports. After all, a report is only as good as the criteria of it being generated. I personally work with Soldiers’ Angels and even run the Louisiana website for them. I spend so much of my “free” time working to make sure that soldiers’ and their families get what they need.
Before anyone starts throwing mud and insulting the thousands of Americans who work with and for these fine Veteran’s charities, let’s do this the proper way and get ALL sides of the story, not just that of the “grader.”
I am truly insulted and am more than willing to discuss the facts with anyone!

What would one expect with the divisions in our society on almost every subject. Plus the greed/selfish factor that people exhibit throughout most functions in their life. Unless there is honesty brought back into the mainstream of US Society this will only get worse. I don’t see that occuring anytime soon.

Brian Ross like a lot of other so called media news groups love this stuff where are they in the front to help the vets? why isnt Mr Ross talking with high ranking military people about our Vets and how to get them better help? Mr Ross like the rest are interested in the dirt, im sure he could run a special on the same charitys and show they are helping the Vets, I for one never believe everything I see on the media it is their own view and they want ratings, and if they show bad things and be on the record!!! then they pat them selves on their backs,and make their 6 figure income on bashing Charities that really help.Mr Ross didnt want to hear from these Charities because his mind was already made up, his agenda was clear RATINGS, and now he will go to something else until next Veterans day then he will come back again if he is sucessful and be the Reporter on the scene for the day then gone again. If a Charity gets less than 20 cents for every dollar, but spends 11 or 13 cents on the Vets then really they are spending more on Vets with the money they have left.The Big picture here Fundrasiers raise a lot more than volunteers, thats a fact in our case you try to get 20 people to work 8 hours a day 5 days a week for free? good luck. Fundraisres bring more money in a week then 10 volunteers could bring in a month.Donate to your favorite Charity ask for the main office phone number and donate directly, if you use a paid fundrasier than they should get their money they were the ones contacting you, sending you imfo, using their phones,office space,paying their employees. Happy Veterans Day to all that served. and to the families of lost loved ones thank you for your Heroes who paid the ultimate price.God Bless you all and America

Only in America can a person raise 70 million dollars to help our soldiers, pay himself 500K for doing it and still manage to waste almost 50 million in the process.

Thank you for exposing fraud.
Also, can you please do an article with the names of good Veteran charities so we all know where to donate?

I want everyone to know that I have sent three (3) responses to this blog. Not one has made it in as a response which tells me all 3 responses hit a chord with ABC and it is screening and refusing to make my responses known. I am appalled at ABC for first not researching the information that was given by this watch dog group be fore opening their mouths so-to-say. Go to this “watch dog’s” site and see what they do for our people. I see they have an add for a book and state that it includes all the information you need to find out about various charities. Just to let you know charity is not about putting money into the pockets of veteran’s. It is about what you do for the veteran’s. It is representation, research and assisting those with disabilities return to a reasonable lifestyle. There are organizations out there that literally steal representation from other organizations only for membership purposes. DAV, American legion, VFW are some of those organizations. Ask those veteran’s being represented by those organizations how often they have to call (if they get through) to find out what is going on with their claims. The bottom line is that you can obtain representation from thousands of veteran’s but the question at hand is how are you being represented. Again I am saying BOO to all of you jumping on the band wagon of those who think what ABC or this watchdog group says is gospel yet they have not done their research. Ignorance is stupidity. Stupidity is costly and reflects on how America thinks and how bad we look when “taking care” of our own. Want to point the finger? Point it at the politicians and those who report the News. Bottom line is if you do not do your research it will be the politicians and the news that will be the downfall of America. I heard a representative once make a statement that an issue, which came up, was what his constituants voted for. Personally I do not remember the last time some poilitical type came to me and asked my to vote on an issue or asked my opinion. This is coming from not only someone who was born and raised abroad in a political (American) family but also served his country (America) for over 20 years and is 100% disabled. Stop whining. Clean up your act and your own back yard before pointing the finger. I did not move to the US until I was 16 years old. I did not learn about discrimination or prejudice until I moved to the US. I am disgraced by the ingnorance of those who live in America and have not lived in a country that is less fortunate than theirs. Just to let you know going on vacation somewhere does not constitute knowledge in living or understanding another countries way of life.

To the one who asked about Disabled American Veterans – they got the grade “D” – just read the ratings in the link at the end of the article.
I am really pissed off about this. This is more or less the first charity I have given to (Disabled American veterans), because I can really support the idea behind it. And then to find out they also use most of the money on advertising, overhead, etc. etc. If other organizations can get an A then these can too, but they must be ineptly and incompetently managed. I am so furious thinking that maybe less than half of what I gave actually ever benefited a veteran.
These people should be ASHAMED of themselves. And YES, we need some oversight of these organizations and some rules that require a minimum amount of money to be given out if you want to be called a charitable organization.

It is a sad commentary, but it only typifies what’s going on in this country today, with corporate rule, and blood for profit mentality. The criminals should be tried and hung. They have cost us billions (now trillions) and thousands of American lives and a million or more of Iraq lives.

Version2 get over yourself Heroe!!! who died and made you the spokesman, get a life. Military people are true Heroes dork

I suggest looking at Charity Navigator and also the BBB Charity ratings.
For example, the DAV got a four-star rating from Charity Navigator (four stars is the highest rating). It’s a FAR cry from the “D” rating given by AIP.
Like I said, do the research. The different rating groups don’t rate the same things, and their results are often completely different.

This just really makes me mad. I have been giving to the DAV for years and now I find out it is just another scam for someone to get rich on. But I salute ABC for letting the American people know the truth. From now on it will be Fisher House, and Intrepid Fallen Heroes fund that will get my support.

Janice, I challenge you to back up your statments. Call AMVETS’ national headquarters and report such comments if they were indeed made. You have a morale obligation to do so if what you say is true. Don’t come on here, hiding behind your keyboard, making accusations if you aren’t going to actually do something about this.

Hi Raymond no it is NOT easy to get a tax exempt charity, you have to go through quite a bit and need some finanicial backing, I have to tell you the research I have done on a lot of Charitys, and most are fine. I wish you could see the good things being done for the Vets by the charity that I help. The jobs we find for them the food we supply, the transportation to their medical needs, and food. I guess you know it alls think because of Brian Ross and his biased views of these charitys? We should go to jail? its a crime? I get paid a very reasonable salary for 50 hours sometimes 6 day weeks, and 2 weeks off for vacation a year, and a my car is 7 years old, and I rent, with no medical insurance and all I see is Jail, corrupt? get your facts straight.Wheres your help? anyone want to help about 300 vets a year? with jobs, medical, food, or is that too much to ask? ABC is a joke and thats why their rateings are failing people dont trust them.

Incrediable! I am a veteran of 27 years of service with deployments to both Viet Nam and the Desert Storm with an 80% disability rating from the VA. My son is currently in the Army in Iraq serving as a combat medic. I have personally supported two of the groups listed being a life member of the VFW and giving cash donations to the Army Emergency Relief fund. I would strongly support a through investigation of these groups. I am sure there is more to this. I am curious as how the ratings are conducted. Obviously if there has been criminal fraud the managers of the groups should be required to answer up and spend some time behind bars. Thanks for keeping us informed.

I was personally very active in a group given a very negative review on the mentioned watchdog site. I walked away from the group (before seeing the article, btw) after seeing close-up the waste and foolish financial (mis)management. Now I feel dirty for having promoted the group. They do good things for many soldiers, vets and their families. But they also waste a huge amount of money, misrepresent to volunteers and donors how they actually use the money, mis-manage the organizations resources, and spend far too much time chasing awards and publicity for their leaders and charitable activities. And while they claim that no leaders are paid, they have free use of the funds received in donations.
My advice: Join organizations that allow you to send care packages, cards, etc DIRECTLY to veterans or soldiers and their squads or units. Dont donate for or buy premade “care packages” and goods from an organizations website unless you know they give at least 75% of donations to soldiers. Check with charity monitoring groups. If your organization isnt listed, ask for it to be checked out.
Yes, it takes time and ongoing commitment to personally create and send packages but it makes a huge difference in the veterans or soldiers mental health and morale. Plus its very satisfying personally. You make a difference and you know EXACTLY where your money is going.
If you prefer to donate much-needed money, then check the charity rating organizations before making a decision. Google the term “charity ratings” for organizations.
Be sure to tell all your family, friends, church members, community organizations, political representatives, and volunteering buddies which charities do and dont make the grade. Print the lists or share the links. Just pointing people away from the scumbags and toward the deserving charities is a big help to everyone.

I am terribly disappointed in the the shoddy research done regarding the rating for Soldier’s Angels. I am a member of their letter writing team and have been for some time. All the officers and people working for Soldier’s Angels are volunteers. They are the moms & pops of America who spend their time sewing, writing letters, sending packages etc. to our deployed troops. There isn’t a finer organization run by a better person than Patti Patton Bader. It’s a sin that a misleading article has hurt this organization with it’s fundraising.

I think that every soldier, sailor, airman (&woman), marine & coastie is a HERO when in the AMERICA OF TODAY, 99% of the population DELIBERATELY CHOOSES to look the other way and not serve due to pure selfishness!

TOM HANKS AND THE WELCOME BACK VETERANS.ORG IS JUST ANOTHE SCAM IT SHOULD BE BANNED FROM TV IT IS VERY MISLEADING ALL THEY WANT IS MONEY FROM SUCKERS THAT THINK THEY ARE HELPING RETURNING VETS THE VA ALREADY HELPS THEM

Substitute who you presently donate to with the following
Top rated fund raisers:
VETERANS & MILITARY AIP GRADE
Armed Services YMCA of the USA A–
Fisher House Foundation A+
Homes For Our Troops A
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund A+
National Military Family Association A+
Operation Homefront – N.O. B+