Giving Back Fund amassed $9 million after Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals last season. However, it looks like Damar’s charity sponsor might be in jeopardy after recent problematic claims.
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The reputed Fund boasts of a clean score on Charity Navigator and several highly successful celebrities are associated with it. Additionally, their partnership with the NFL and NFLPA has received high praise over the years. However, behind the curtain, something unfortunate might be happening in the organization.
Giving Back Fund's celebrity client roster has included
Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Yao Ming, Ben Roethlisberger, Doug Flutie and now Damar Hamlin.@DanielLibit provides a peek behind the curtain of a charity organization racked with internal strife. https://t.co/bv8dPqbZ6R— Kurt Badenhausen (@kbadenhausen) May 1, 2023
Damar Hamlin’s charity sponsor faces flak due to internal strife
The charity is struggling to maintain its squeaky-clean image as it recently witnessed a fallout with its legal counsel. Additionally, multiple board members also decided to put down their resignations. If that was not enough, a current employee has now filed a complaint against GBF founder and CEO, Marc Pollick.
Damar Hamlin charity hit with horrible accusations https://t.co/RZWrGoppeX pic.twitter.com/hOEYsofz4p
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 1, 2023
Furthermore, disagreements within the organization arose over the $9 million attained from Damar Hamlin’s charity. The whole enterprise was put at risk by discussions over whether or not they would have to pay to send tax letters to donors, and how to handle the payouts.
Pollick refutes claims about inconsistency in the organization
According to Sportico, the charity’s CEO gave a statement which read: “We will always seek to improve, but I can share unequivocally that this organization operates with integrity and compassion and has truly made the world a better place. I know an organization doing good isn’t necessarily the news you’re looking for, but it is our news, and we are very proud of it.”
However, Sportico’s report also stated that their sources did not reflect the same views as Pollick. One whistleblower confessed, “Employees are scared of his retribution. They scramble to clean up the messes his unprofessional and accusatory emails cause with clients.”
If the claims are true, then Hamlin’s charity face more flak in the time to come.
