AP INVESTIGATION: Army charity hoards millions

[OnePimpTiger]

AP INVESTIGATION: Army charity hoards millions

As soldiers stream home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the biggest charity inside the U.S. military has been stockpiling tens of millions of dollars meant to help put returning fighters back on their feet, an Associated Press investigation shows.

Between 2003 and 2007 -- as many military families dealt with long war deployments and increased numbers of home foreclosures -- Army Emergency Relief grew into a $345 million behemoth. During those years, the charity packed away $117 million into its own reserves while spending just $64 million on direct aid, according to an AP analysis of its tax records.

During that same five-year period, the smaller Navy and Air Force charities both put far more of their own resources into aid than reserves. The Air Force charity kept $24 million in reserves while dispensing $56 million in total aid, which includes grants, scholarships and loans not repaid. The Navy charity put $32 million into reserves and gave out $49 million in total aid.

Basically, the Army fund saved 65% and spent 35% during that period, while the Air Force fund save 30% and spent 70% and the Navy fund saved 39% and spent 61%.

I would think a time of war would be the time when the most help is needed by the soldiers. That should be the time to spend most of the money and build the reserves during peace time. Thoughts?

[mintman2]

AP INVESTIGATION: Army charity hoards millions

I didn't read the article but you quoted "Army Emergency Relief grew into a $345 million behemoth. During those years, the charity packed away $117 million into its own reserves while spending just $64 million on direct aid, according to an AP analysis of its tax records. "

My first question is..........What happened to the other 64 million ? Or is that what they started with ?


edit: should be 164 million, not 64.

[MiniHelmets]

All I can say is they got caught hoarding the money now remove there charity status and tax them...Start with them and investigate all charities

[OnePimpTiger]

I didn't read the article but you quoted "Army Emergency Relief grew into a $345 million behemoth. During those years, the charity packed away $117 million into its own reserves while spending just $64 million on direct aid, according to an AP analysis of its tax records. "

My first question is..........What happened to the other 64 million ? Or is that what they started with ?


edit: should be 164 million, not 64.

I think what it meant was they already had a certain amount in reserves and adding the $117 million from that timeframe made the total $345 million. That's what I took it to mean.

All I can say is they got caught hoarding the money now remove there charity status and tax them...Start with them and investigate all charities

The administrators aren't keeping the money for themselves, it's still designated for charity. Most charities save some money for future charity needs instead of spending it all at once, which makes perfect sense because people don't donate the same amount all the time so they have to be sure they have reserves in case they go through a dry spell. Otherwise, if they had a few slow months, the people who relied on them would have nothing. The accusation here is that they were just saving too much for their reserves instead of spending more of it in a time of need, not keeping it for profit.

[mintman2]

Wow, I really had that one twisted around. Yeah, looks like they started with 228 million and just kept squirreling it away instead of spending more to help our veterans. Sad !