Softgiving Nonprofit Stole $1.65 Million in Charity Donations in 2022
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Softgiving Collected $1.65 Million in Charity Donations in 2022, New Tax Records Show Nonprofit Intermediary Softgiving, a for-profit intermediary organization, has once again been noted for taking a significant share of charity donations raised by influencers on Twitch and YouTube in 2022, according to newly released IRS tax documents. Givinga Foundation Reported 46% Of Donations Were Stolen In 2022, Softgiving collected over $3.56 million in donations, as recorded by the Givinga Foundation, a non-profit partner. Out of this amount, approximately $1.92 million was directed to the intended charities, while nearly $1.65 million—about 46 percent—was used for fundraising expenses by Softgiving,…
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Pinellas Nonprofit Financial Chief Got, Kept Job Amid Fraud Investigation
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Wendy Merson Wendy Merson, who oversaw millions in taxpayer funding at Directions for Living, is accused of leading a fraud scheme at a previous job that ranged from kickbacks to reselling snow crab legs. Pinellas County Nonprofit Fraud A woman who oversaw the finances for a Pinellas County nonprofit that receives millions in taxpayer dollars to help people who are homeless or mentally ill is facing a charge that she defrauded her prior employer. Directions For Living The nonprofit, Directions for Living, would not say what it did to vet the woman and what steps it is taking to determine…
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Columbus Zoo Executive Pleads Guilty To Theft
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Fifth Former Columbus Zoo Executive Pleads Guilt In Stolen Funds Scandal In Delaware Ohio The last of five former Columbus Zoo employees involved in a theft case where over $2.29 million was taken, has pleaded guilty. Grant Bell, former purchasing assistant and son of ex-chief financial officer Greg Bell, admitted to the fifth-degree felony in Delaware County Court. At his arraignment, he pleaded guilty after being charged under a bill of information, accused of using between $1,000 and $7,000 of the embezzled funds. He confessed to using the money for a vacation and satellite radio for his wife’s car, and…
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Investigation Raises Concerns Nashville Nonprofit’s Use of Grant Funds
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Investigation Raises Concerns Nashville Nonprofit’s Use of Grant Funds A Nashville nonprofit misused grant funds worth $42,249.74, including payments to the executive director, as revealed by an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office. This nonprofit, Successful Survivors, received $299,670 from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services in 2018 for a rehabilitation house. However, the executive director paid themselves $27,000 in “developer fees” without the necessary approval or documentation. Moreover, $4,000 was donated to his church, a violation of grant guidelines. The organization also failed to provide proper documentation for renovation payments and used grant funds for…
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