DENVER — Russell Wilson’s “Why Not You Foundation” issued a lengthy statement Wednesday after a USA TODAY Network report raised questions about the amount of money the organization actually donated compared to its overhead expenses and the amount of money it claims to have raised.
One part of the investigative series, which includes multiple stories outlining shortcomings among charities established by professional athletes, focuses on Wilson’s “Why Not You Foundation” and reports the organization, “spent almost $600,000 — or just 24.3 cents of every dollar — on charitable activities in 2020 and 2021 combined and nearly twice as much, $1.1 million, on salaries and employee benefits in that span, according to federal tax records.”
After the story was published the Why Not You Foundation published a lengthy letter on its website and social media channels from its CEO, Sahayla Tate.
The letter did not directly address any of the details laid out in the USA Today report, but touted the Why Not You Foundation’s direct impact and its impact made through partnerships.
“Since founding the Why Not You Foundation in 2014, we’ve been blessed and fortunate to partner with incredible organizations to maximize our impact,” the statement began. “We’ve successfully partnered to deliver over $13,000,000 benefiting education, pediatric cancer research and hunger prevention. One of the most rewarding parts over the years is seeing the smiling faces of the children and families we meet as they overcome life’s obstacles.
“While the foundation raises funds and provides grants and gifts, our partnerships have allowed for more direct delivery and impact. Our dynamic partnerships allow for Russell and Ciara to give their time, passion, and ideas and raise awareness for causes in intimate and hands-on settings and events.”
The USA Today story, in part, raises questions over the amount of credit Why Not You can actually claim for some fundraising efforts with partners. More pertinently, it notes that the salary and benefits expenses include more than $200,000 a year for an employee who also worked for Russell and Ciara Wilson’s family office. The report says in 2020 three employees were paid $441,000 combined and includes an expert calling the salary levels “startling” for a group the size of the Why Not You Foundation, suggesting it could draw scrutiny from the IRS.
Not only that, but it raises questions about whether an employee who works for both the foundation and the Wilsons’ family office could have been paid foundation money for doing personal work for the Wilsons.
“It is absolutely, categorically illegal to have a nonprofit pay you to do work outside of supporting its charitable purposes,” attorney Andrew Morton told USA Today, “let alone furthering private interests.”
Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, told USA Today the executive, Ryan Tarpley, was paid separately for his foundation work and his work for the Wilsons’ family office. Rodgers did not return a message seeking comment from The Post.
