DENVER — Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson spoke out for the first time Saturday on reports about how much money from his foundation actually goes to charity.
According to federal 990 tax forms, just 24.3 cents of every dollar raised by the Why Not You Foundation went to charities during 2020 and 2021.
Wilson posted a minute-long video on Twitter Saturday where he talked about how much his foundation's partnership with other organizations has helped kids.
"With those partnerships, we've been fortunate to be able to drive over 10 plus millions of dollars for pediatric cancer, and for education and for hunger prevention and so much more," Wilson said. "Those are things that haven't really been highlighted and talked about, but I want to highlight those things right now, because of those direct partnerships and relationships, that money going directly to those in need, immediate need, and it's been an amazing journey to see the smiles on so many kids' faces and so many people's faces along the way."
The foundation's executive director, Shayla Tait, said the Arizona Republic story is misleading because many events during 2020 and 2021 were canceled because of COVID-19.
She also said some of the money raised wasn't credited on the 990 form.
Had Wilson’s group insisted on getting credit on the 990 form, Tait said, the amount that went to the charities would have been more than 70 cents of every dollar.
This article draws from previous reporting by 9NEWS' Mike Klis.
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