Shane Warne: Cricket Legend, Poker semi-donk: Charity shipping only 16c per dollar shenanigans

[zealanddonk]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket...dations-issues


The Shane Warne Foundation tried to have its records declared confidential by the Australian charity regulator under a federal law that has been used to protect the safety of family violence charities.

The high-profile foundation, which has never voluntarily published its financial reports, actually sought to have its records blocked from public release by the national charities regulator.

The documents revealed the foundation has actually donated an average of just 16 cents of every dollar it raised on behalf of sick and underprivileged children from 2011 to 2013.

The vast majority of its funds were instead spent staging glitzy celebrity events such as cricket matches, poker tournaments, and gala dinners. It also spent $231,000 employing Shane Warne's brother in an executive position at the foundation.

The foundation is only legally obliged to distribute 4 cents of every dollar it raises.

In 2014, the foundation spent $551,000 on marketing, events and other operating costs but only actually raised $497,000.

The expenses included $61,000 spent on "partnership agreements", $106,000 on catering and alcohol, and $146,000 on salaries.

Only $55,000 was distributed to its beneficiaries – charities such as the Starlight Foundation and Clown Doctors.

It's the third time in four years the foundation has run at a loss.


This part alone is gonna send a chill up Druff's spine:
The foundation is only legally obliged to distribute 4 cents of every dollar it raises.

[OzGary]

This was the response from the Shane Warne Foundation:

A message from our Chairman Shane Warne:
"On behalf of everyone at The Shane Warne Foundation I would like to address and clarify some factually wrong and incorrect issues that have been reported recently.
We have raised 7.8 million dollars so far and after our event in January, when we give our annual cheque, our total give, to over 125 different children's charities, will be 4.1 million dollars, which is just under $400,000 per year over an 11 year period. That equates to 51-52% of revenue raised given away to those charities.
I also have in writing from consumer affairs that at no stage was TSWF ever informed that it was under investigation nor did they inform any third party that TSWF was under investigation, as it is not.
TSWF was formed with the vision of helping as many different children's charities as we can, not one specific cause. We are making a difference to seriously ill and underprivileged children. We raise money through donations and events, so please come support us and help us make a difference.
At no stage has a member of the board, an ambassador or patron ever received 1 cent from TSWF. In actual fact the board has gone over and above by purchasing tables, buying auction items etc. So a huge thank you to you all.
I would also like to stress that nothing inappropriate or untoward has ever happened and we are in this for the long haul. We will ride through the good times and the bad as well as the tough times like the GFC.
We all want to give away many more millions of $$$ and we are thankful for everyone's support over the last 11 years. We look forward to seeing you at our next event on Jan 29!!
We will continue to give back and make a significant difference to seriously ill and underprivileged children and their families!!!
Thank you,
SW"