Last week, USA TODAY published a story on quarterback Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation. In the story, The Arizona Republic‘s Jason Wolf detailed how Wilson’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization donated just 24.3 cents of every dollar it raised on charitable activities from 2020-2021.
Wolf went on to write that “nearly twice as much, $1.1 million,” went toward salaries and employee benefits at the foundation. One of the foundation’s executives earns $200,000 a year, and he has also worked for Wilson’s business ventures.
The story created a buzz well beyond Broncos Country. The foundation responded with a lengthy statement on Instagram, and the foundation’s director explained in an interview with KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis that they work with various organizations who donate directly to causes, and that money does not show up on the Why Not You Foundation‘s tax records.
Also of note in Klis’ story:
The report also questioned the salaries of Why Not You executives and the improper classification of its staff. [The director] did acknowledge the WNY foundation would take steps to be in compliance with industry rules.
Wilson echoed the explanation of direct donations in an Instagram reel on Saturday.
“Often times, funds that WNYF raises with our partners are donated from those partners DIRECTLY to people and orgs with immediate needs,” Wilson wrote on his Instagram page. “We put in the work and we don’t need the credit. Teamwork and making a difference will always come first. As we continue to grow, we will always care more about impact than credit.”
Wilson won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2020 in recognition of his charity work in the community.
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