Expose on Giving Back Fund and Relationship to Damar Hamlin Charity

Sportico has up a fascinating look into an athlete/celebrity fundraising operation called Giving Back Fund that had entered an arrangement with money donated to charity in honor of Buffalo Bill’s Safety Damar Hamlin. 

From the story: “The nonprofit’s ongoing relationship with the NFL Players Association proved instrumental in delivering Hamlin’s haul. GBF hosts a philanthropic resource website for the union and Don Davis, the NFLPA’s senior director of player affairs, told Sportico that the partnership has been positive. . . . 

However, a rare peek behind its glittery curtain reveals an organization in strife and falling short of its sterling reputation. Recently, this has included a falling out between GBF and its longtime outside counsel, the resignation of multiple board members and a whistleblower complaint by a current employee about GBF founder and CEO Marc Pollick—the primary source of discontent.

“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,” Pollick told Sportico in a statement. “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.””

Worth a read.

Philip Hackney