Having worked in the social impact sector for more than three decades, I’m used to being skeptical when a media story breaks about charity waste, fraud, and abuse.

So, I was interested to dive into this book that investigated the fairness and accuracy of scathing reporting on the Wounded Warrior Project by 60 Minutes and the New York Times in 2016.

Doug White took on the task of digging for the truth. Mr. White is an author, teacher, and advisor to nonprofit organizations and philanthropists. He is also the former director of Columbia University’s Master of Science in Fundraising Management program. 

As you might expect, what White found in his investigation and interviews with countless stakeholders is that much of the criticism of the Wounded Warrior Project was unfounded.

And that those ultimately in charge of the charity, the Board of Directors, made poor decisions in the aftermath of the crisis.

The real losers in this story are, of course, the wounded veterans who depend on the Wounded Warrior Project. Military.com reported that the organization’s revenues declined from a peak of $373 million in 2015 to just $211 million in 2017.

Thankfully, the organization survived and is rebuilding to serve those warriors who depend on them for services the government cannot provide.

This book will make you mad, but it’s worth reading and offers important lessons for all charities and the philanthropists who support them.