VP of Nonprofit Lives in Million-Dollar Home Bought with the Nonprofit’s Funds

According to The Oklahoman, Larri Sue Jones, the vice president of Feed the Children and daughter of the organization’s founder and president,  Larry Jones, has been living in a house that was purchased by Feed the Children in May 2007.  The new four-bedroom home just outside Hollywood in Burbank, California, cost the charity $1.2 million dollars.

The discovery was made as a result of a legal battle for control of the organization.  The suit, which began last December, was initiated by five board members who alleged being fired improperly, just before a board meeting at which several members planned to discuss placing Larry Jones on sabbatical.

Larry Jones called the house a residence and office and said it was bought “to start an operation on the West Coast to reach out to celebrities.”  He said that he had “no regrets” about buying it and that it was bought from funds raised to expand the reach and opportunity of the organization.  Specifically, Jones said, it helps the charity approach celebrities who can open doors to in-kind and monetary gifts.

The report also quoted the president of the American Institute of Philanthropy, Daniel Borochoff, a critic of the charity, saying it is a ridiculous use of charitable money and an outrage that this kind of thing should be going on.  Borochoff also said the charity could get into serious trouble with the Internal Revenue Service for buying the home.

The house’s value has dropped below $1 million. 

SS