[kidwoo]

For the last several years, Sean Hannity and the Freedom Alliance “charity” have conducted “Freedom Concerts” across America. They’ve told you that they are raising money to pay for the college tuition of the children of fallen soldiers and to pay severely wounded war vets. And on Friday Night, Hannity will be honored with an award for this “Outstanding Community Service by a Radio Talk Show Host” at Talkers Magazine’s convention.

In fact, less than 20%–and in two recent years, less than 7% and 4%, respectively–of the money raised by Freedom Alliance went to these causes, while millions of dollars went to expenses, including consultants and apparently to ferry the Hannity posse of family and friends in high style.

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/


Of all the high profile assholes out there, hannity seems to have kept himself pretty clean. I've been waiting for years to hear about him skull fvcking some retarded kid prostitute in Thailand or something.

I think this is actually worse.

At least the money he's been cashing in on is just coming from the morons who support him.

 

[jonKranked]

Dammit, and I just nominated Tony Kornheiser for biggest douche in the universe.

 

[rockofullr]

Always had a feeling this guy was a huge sleez ball.

Hope this drags him down and I never have to hear from him again.

 

[jasride]

i fvcking hate this guy.

I dont watch or hear him all the time but when I do the only words I hear are
no taxes and support our troops. I know its the party line but this azz capitalizes it!

 

[IH8Rice]

i hope his limbs get blown off. id rather listen to the Westboro Church people

 

[stevew]

sounds like a government program...

 

[kidwoo]

sounds like a government program...

In what way?


You must be talking about the defense department.

 

[ohio]

Anyone read the comments on that site? Sweet holy ass-****ing jesus, that is some serious rationalization/cognitive dissonance.

 

[kidwoo]

Why should it matter if Hannity spends 12 million on personal expenses if he is donating over 800 thousand? Either way, 800 grand is a lot of money and besides his concerts are universally uplifting. Why look a gift horse in the mouth? The truth is, if Sean is using the money to defeat democrats we should be glad because this also helps the troops and the morale of the troops. The more you criticize Sean the more you are really helping the enemy and helping defeat republicans.

 

[BurlyShirley]

Please let this guy go down in flames.

 

[Westy]

“Outstanding Community Service by a Radio Talk Show Host”???????????


Best thing a radio talk show host could do for community is get hit by a bus.

A bus with AIDS.

 

[sanjuro]

I looked this up for fun.

In 2006, United Negro College Fund's revenue was $203,656,288, total expenses $153,601,481, and of those expenses, $112,671,549 or 73%, of were paid out to scholarships, grants, etc.

Freedom Alliance's revenue in the same year was $10,822,785; expenses, $7,064,830; and they paid out $397,900, or 5%, in scholarships.

I also read Freedom Alliance's response, and they list their program expenses but not how it was spent.

They also defended their low payout by saying they are "Our scholarship program is managed with the understanding that it will be needed for at least the next 20 years", which presumes they are not going to collect any more money in the next 20 years.

Finally, I don't believe their statement about not driving Hannity around. I could pay an Event Organizer firm to cover all this, so that there is no money going directly to Hannity.

2006 990 for Freedom Alliance
2007 990 for Freedom Alliance
2007 990 for UNCF

 

[dewme5]

Freedom Alliance rating

United Negro College Fund rating

I love sheeple. Most of you spout off facts without understanding any of them. It's funny. Let me guess, you'd be happy to ride your bike all day, and have me pay for your health care come Sunday.

Smear campaigns have been around forever. Do your own research, come to your own conclusions, and quit repeating everything you want to hear.

 

[ohio]

Let me guess, you'd be happy to ride your bike all day, and have me pay for your health care come Sunday.

Let me guess, you didn't pick up what the Freedom Alliance is burying under "program expenses." ****, Sanjuro even did the research for you but apparently you'd prefer to smoke some Fox News pole than read the facts in front of you.. They have distributed less than 20% of the money that has come in. If it makes me "a sheeple" to think that's out of whack, I'll gladly accept the label.

 

[Silver]

Freedom Alliance rating

United Negro College Fund rating

I love sheeple. Most of you spout off facts without understanding any of them. It's funny. Let me guess, you'd be happy to ride your bike all day, and have me pay for your health care come Sunday.

Smear campaigns have been around forever. Do your own research, come to your own conclusions, and quit repeating everything you want to hear.

You realize that this is a smear campaign from a retarded conservative?

(Oxymoron, I know...)

 

[dewme5]

Let me guess, you didn't pick up what the Freedom Alliance is burying under "program expenses." ****, Sanjuro even did the research for you but apparently you'd prefer to smoke some Fox News pole than read the facts in front of you.. They have distributed less than 20% of the money that has come in. If it makes me "a sheeple" to think that's out of whack, I'll gladly accept the label.

He did no research. Don't be a fool. He's just repeating info. It took 2 seconds to find a independent site refuting the claims. This is the Internet, you can find any facts to support any claim.

You hear what you want to believe, and so will I.

PS. that 20% "fact" is part of the smear. You can read the IRS 990 form for yourself.

 

[ohio]

PS. that 20% "fact" is part of the smear. You can read the IRS 990 form for yourself.

Yup, you can also read the response letter that the honorable chairman and CEO, Ollie North wrote in defense of the org. Both of them point out the fact that they are bundling the costs of the events under program expenses, which means two things:

1) that they are distributing very little of what comes in, most of it goes to event costs
2) they are able to interpret very broadly what it costs to put on an event

This isn't hard. Compare money in versus money out. It's not about belief.

 

[kidwoo]

PS. that 20% "fact" is part of the smear. You can read the IRS 990 form for yourself.

I just read over the 990 from 2006.


What's the actual percentage?


Did you notice over 1.5 million for postage? How's that number compared to the family payouts? (I looked over those too)

 

[X3pilot]

He did no research. Don't be a fool. He's just repeating info. It took 2 seconds to find a independent site refuting the claims. This is the Internet, you can find any facts to support any claim.

You hear what you want to believe, and so will I.

PS. that 20% "fact" is part of the smear. You can read the IRS 990 form for yourself.

How many time CAN N8 keep coming back??

 

[sanjuro]

Freedom Alliance rating

United Negro College Fund rating

I love sheeple. Most of you spout off facts without understanding any of them. It's funny. Let me guess, you'd be happy to ride your bike all day, and have me pay for your health care come Sunday.

Smear campaigns have been around forever. Do your own research, come to your own conclusions, and quit repeating everything you want to hear.

Sorry, one of my 9/11 nutcase friends loves to call me sheeple because I won't watch Zeitgeist and spout Alex Jones. So I get madder at that word than Asian slurs.

Here's Debbie Schlussel's quote, which I guess you didn't see in your "Research".

In investigating Freedom Alliance and its tax forms, I learned that the organizations which evaluate charities are entirely worthless. Freedom Alliance is certified as “Best in America” by the “Independent Charities of America.” It is also rated a “Four Star Charity” by “Charity Navigator.” Both of these “ratings” are posted prominently on Freedom Alliance’s website, misleading donors into believing they are donating to a worthy cause, when in fact they are mostly donating to a black hole of expenses. Even Charity Navigator notes in its strange, illogical, and mostly inaccurate Four Star rating that Freedom Alliance has a fund-raising “efficiency” of only nine cents on the dollar. And, in fact, Charity Navigator’s ridiculous rating formula robotically crunches numbers in a way that considers the money spent mostly on consultants, postage, and printing as having gone to the wounded soldiers and kids of fallen soldiers, when in fact that’s not where it went at all. It simply can’t be taken seriously.

Frankly, I was using CN's site to evaluate my donations, and now I am going to stop.

So unless you have something to tell besides the tax returns, which if you fake, you go to jail, why don't you STFU.

 

[sanjuro]

Freedom Alliance rating

United Negro College Fund rating

I love sheeple. Most of you spout off facts without understanding any of them. It's funny. Let me guess, you'd be happy to ride your bike all day, and have me pay for your health care come Sunday.

Smear campaigns have been around forever. Do your own research, come to your own conclusions, and quit repeating everything you want to hear.

P.S. You know both links go to Freedom Alliance?

 

[jasride]

Freedom Alliance rating

Let me guess, you'd be happy to ride your bike all day, and have me pay for your health care come Sunday.

Hell yes, and I'll pay for yours. See, it all evens out!

 

[JohnE]

THIS troop wants nothing to do with Hannity, Limbag and the rest of teh "troop supporting" fear mongering-never served a day in uniform-do as I say, not as I do- conservative types. Fvck them and the limo they rode in on.

"He has been a selfless patriot in his efforts to raise funds for the education of children of armed services personnel."
Really? I have an honor roll student looking at going to Northwestern for journalism in a year. I will have him call Hannity.

"Support our Troops: Many events each year are planned and executed by our staff to show appreciate and provide special opportunities for those actively serving in the military."
In almost 15 years of active miltiary service (Plus 5 as a Guardsman) I have NEVER seen or heard of a Hannity staged or supported show. I recently spent almost 12 hours marooned at the DFW USO, and saw nothing w/ him attached to it either.

Wanna support the troops? Buy us hookers and beer. And bring porn back to the BX...

 

[gonefirefightin]

I buy girlscout cookies and "save the ta ta's" socks

 

[Silver]

Anyone remember when a right wing talking head slam was that "Al Franken loves to tell everyone about his USO tours!"

Personally, I figure anything that involves Ollie North has to be on the up and up...

(And notice if this story is in any way accurate, North was the voice of reason...that's never a situation you want to find yourself in.)

 

[stevew]

I buy girlscout cookies and "save the ta ta's" socks

you not only save them....you make them perkier....

 

[sanjuro]

BTW, for more giggles, I decided to find a military charity (with scholarships) with similar revenues to Freedom Alliance.

Fisher House Foundation offers temporary lodging for military families who has a member receiving specialized or long term care. Their scholarship program has also assisted almost 5000 applicants in the last 10 years.

Their revenue for 2008 was 40 mil, and of their total expenses of 26.6 mil, 24.3 mil was spent on grants, 60% of their revenue. Also, they donated 1.75 million in scholarships between 07-09.

2008 Fisher House 990

In fairness, I looked over the 07 and 08 990's for Freedom Alliance.

07 was a bad year, donating only 7% of their revenues. 08 they got 3 million less in revenue but they donated 15%.

They spent twice as much on postage and publications than they did on grants in 07, but they finally nipped it the bud in 08 by just spending a couple hundred thousand more on donations.

2008 Freedom Alliance 990

If you want to donate money to military families, choose Fisher House over Freedom Alliance. At least your money is better spent there.

 

[MikeD]

I love sheeple. Most of you spout off facts without understanding any of them. It's funny. Let me guess, you'd be happy to ride your bike all day, and have me pay for your health care come Sunday.

Smear campaigns have been around forever. Do your own research, come to your own conclusions, and quit repeating everything you want to hear.

And in no way are mouth-breathers devotedly following a con artist and opportunist wrapped in convenient politics actually sheep.

What's your "research," clicking on a different Google link that takes you to another website?

Not saying I've done any research myself, but neither has ANYONE here. And that doesn't change the fact that Hannity's a douche who would spout off politics on behalf of transvestite puerto rican hookers if it'd get him the money and the spotlight. Playing to your proclivities is just the easiest way for him to get your dollar.

Use of the term "sheeple" is like branding "****ing moron, fueled by the Internet" on your forehead.

 

[MikeD]

FA Responds:


-----

http://www.freedomalliance.org...lliance_response.pdf

March 18, 2010
Dear Friends of Freedom Alliance:

This week, false and malicious allegations about Freedom Alliance were posted on the Internet and we want to address them with you. We don’t know the motivation for these vicious smears, but we will not allow them to go unanswered.
First, we want to thank you for your support and assure you that Freedom Alliance’s record of financial stewardship and programmatic achievements not only meets, but exceeds standards of program efficiency set by most charity evaluators. We are extraordinarily proud of our work at Freedom Alliance and stand by our efforts 100 percent.

False Accusations
The blog posting accuses our friend Sean Hannity of personally benefiting from Freedom Alliance. This 1. is FALSE. Freedom Alliance has never provided planes, hotels, cars, limos, or anything else to Sean. Sean gets nothing from Freedom Alliance except our gratitude for his personal generosity and for all he has done to help the troops and our organization. We have never had to ask Sean for anything, he always generously offers his help before we have a chance to ask him. But to be clear Sean pays for all his own transportation, hotels, and all related expenses for himself and his family and friends and staff, which over the years has added up to tens of thousands of dollars. He does not use any Freedom Alliance Funds or Concert funds in any way, period.
Sean Hannity has contributed $100,000 to the Wounded Warriors Foundation, over $200,000 to the 2. Freedom Alliance, and over tens of thousands of dollars to other military charities and individuals. We only make this information public because of the outrageous slander against him. Sean has no management or operational involvement in, or control over, Freedom Alliance. He has been a selfless patriot in his efforts to raise funds for the education of children of armed services personnel.
The blog posting accuses Freedom Alliance of spending less than 20% of money raised on program 3. activities. This is FALSE. Listed below are the amounts that Freedom Alliance spent for each of the past three years and the categories on which they were spent. The figures are taken from our Federal Form 990 which is filed with the Internal Revenue Service and posted on our web site and audited by an independent auditor using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This financial record not only meets, but exceeds standards of program efficiency set by most charity evaluators.

In 2008, Freedom Alliance spent a total of $6,745,717. Of that:4.
79 percent ($5,317,970) was spent on Program Activities•
14 percent ($945,950) was spent on Fundraising•
7 percent ($481,797) was spent on Management •

Freedom Alliance
In 2007, Freedom Alliance spent a total of $7,461,350. Of that:
81.5 percent ($6,084,474) was spent on Program Activities•
13.5 percent ($1,011,501) was spent on Fundraising•
5 percent ($365,375) was spent on Management•
In 2006, Freedom Alliance spent a total of $7,064,839. Of that:
77 percent ($5,434,538) was spent on Program Activities•
18.5 percent ($1,308,414) was spent on Fundraising•
4.5 percent ($321,887) was spent on Management•

The blog posting accuses Freedom Alliance of spending money intended for student scholarships on 5. other expenses. This is FALSE. Freedom Alliance has distributed $3.4 million in Scholarships and created a Scholarship Trust Fund with the additional money that we have raised for that program. That fund now contains $15 million, over $10 million of which has been raised by Hannity and the concerts. Our scholarship program is managed with the understanding that it will be needed for at least the next 20 years as there are children who will ultimately receive a scholarship who are now only a few years old. As indicated on our Federal Form 990, these funds are restricted and used only for future scholarships.

Our Scholarship Fund is one of four programs operated by Freedom Alliance. Supporters may donate to 6. a specific program or for general operating purposes. In 2008, Freedom Alliance received $2.1 million in scholarship donations. The same year, we awarded $802,250 in scholarships and applied $1.3 million to our Scholarship Trust Fund. The funds donated by Sean Hannity directly -- or through the proceeds of the Freedom Concerts -- and the support of thousands of Americans are used for these purposes:
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund• : Providing scholarships to those whose parents have been killed or severely injured in their service to our Country. There is now over $15 million in the scholarship fund for the students as they come of age.
Support our Troops• : Many events each year are planned and executed by our staff to show appreciation and provide special opportunities for those actively serving in the military.

Leadership Academy• : A program for high school students in which they are encouraged and trained to serve their country.
These programs would not be possible without the support of Mr. Hannity and many others.
We are proud of our work and numerous accomplishments. We are grateful to our supporters whose voluntary contributions make it possible and we thank you. While it is discouraging to have our record misrepresented in such a malicious way, our work is important and, with your support, it will continue.
Respectfully,

Thomas P. Kilgannon Oliver L. North
President Founder & Honorary Chairman
----

 

[MikeD]

Hmmm, original accusations are quite specific. Response decidedly hides behind the term "Program Activities." Any bets on the contents of that category...?

Edit: Original link's dead now...searching Schlussel's site yields nothing.

 

[drkenan]

It still works...and she posted a response.

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/

 

[MikeD]

Hm, I linked off another site--must be a problem with that one. Thanks!

Edit: Nope, still getting a 404 Error...wonder what's wrong for me??

 

[dante]

Hm, I linked off another site--must be a problem with that one. Thanks!

Edit: Nope, still getting a 404 Error...wonder what's wrong for me??

 

[ohio]

"Program activities" which is the IRS's term that includes both operating expenses (such as putting on a concert) AND distributed money. I'm not certain if it includes money put into trust. Ollie is just repeating the same numbers Schlussel already cited and, as MikeD stated, trying to keep it one level higher to obscure the truth.

The 990 breaks it down, and Schlussel's numbers are correct.

For reference, Wyclef's Haiti concert came under fire for their program expenses, and they distributed 30% of the incoming revenues, plus spent another 25% to broadcast the concert to all of Haiti. So it is quite easy to throw a charity concert magnitudes more efficiently than Hannity's little scam.

 

[kidwoo]

For reference, Wyclef's Haiti concert came under fire for their program expenses, and they distributed 30% of the incoming revenues, plus spent another 25% to broadcast the concert to all of Haiti. So it is quite easy to throw a charity concert magnitudes more efficiently than Hannity's little scam.

And sound a fvckload better aurally than 20 performances of honky playin tonky freedom chicken bullshlt.

 

[sanjuro]

FA Responds:

I actually read that before I wrote anything.

Really, all this response says was "We didn't fly Hannity anywhere and this is what we put down on our 990".

I want to know exactly how their "Program Expenses" were spent vs their actual charitable grants.

 

[sanjuro]

"Program activities" which is the IRS's term that includes both operating expenses (such as putting on a concert) AND distributed money. I'm not certain if it includes money put into trust. Ollie is just repeating the same numbers Schlussel already cited and, as MikeD stated, trying to keep it one level higher to obscure the truth.

The 990 breaks it down, and Schlussel's numbers are correct.

For reference, Wyclef's Haiti concert came under fire for their program expenses, and they distributed 30% of the incoming revenues, plus spent another 25% to broadcast the concert to all of Haiti. So it is quite easy to throw a charity concert magnitudes more efficiently than Hannity's little scam.

http://www.npccny.org/Form_990/990.htm#no3

Program services expenses are those incurred to carry out the organization’s mission. Thus, expenses incurred by a social services organization in paying its social workers for delivering services to its clients would be program services expenses. By like token, payments made by a performing arts organization to produce a play would be program services expenses. For a 501(c)(3) group, the activities that these expenses support are usually the basis of the organization’s tax exemption.

 

[Pesqueeb]

Dipsh*ts in more trouble.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/29/washington-watchdog-veter_n_517096.html

 

[JohnE]

BTW, for more giggles, I decided to find a military charity (with scholarships) with similar revenues to Freedom Alliance.

Fisher House Foundation offers temporary lodging for military families who has a member receiving specialized or long term care. Their scholarship program has also assisted almost 5000 applicants in the last 10 years.

Their revenue for 2008 was 40 mil, and of their total expenses of 26.6 mil, 24.3 mil was spent on grants, 60% of their revenue. Also, they donated 1.75 million in scholarships between 07-09.

2008 Fisher House 990

In fairness, I looked over the 07 and 08 990's for Freedom Alliance.

07 was a bad year, donating only 7% of their revenues. 08 they got 3 million less in revenue but they donated 15%.

They spent twice as much on postage and publications than they did on grants in 07, but they finally nipped it the bud in 08 by just spending a couple hundred thousand more on donations.

2008 Freedom Alliance 990

If you want to donate money to military families, choose Fisher House over Freedom Alliance. At least your money is better spent there.

Yes, Fisher House rules...some of the mst meaninful volunteer time of my life was spent at Fisher House.

 

[MikeD]

Yes, Fisher House rules.

Wasn't that a John Irving novel?