*A celebrity charity sponsor for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is reportedly embroiled in controversy due to an internal feud centered around CEO and founder Marc Pollick.
“A rare peek behind its glittery curtain reveals an organization in strife and falling short of its sterling reputation,” Sportico writer Daniel Libit revealed, MARCA reports.
“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.”
Pollick insists that the Giving Fund is operating with integrity.
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“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 said in a statement, according to MARCA.com.
“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,” he added.
However, insiders reportedly shared a different take with Sportico.
“But that is not the full story that emerges from interviews with dozens of sources-including clients, donors, contractors, board members and 24 former GBF employees-as well as a review of hundreds of pages of internal documents,” Libit shared.
“Collectively, they portray an organization struggling to carry out basic oversight and accounting functions, and steeped in fear of its leader.”
Following Hamlin’s expired GoFundMe, “Chasing M’s” toy drive, which had a swollen account of over $9,000, the NFL star partnered with the Giving Fund to raise funds. The organization has worked with athletes like Yao Ming, Ben Roethlisberger, and Justin Timberlake.
Hamlin teamed with the Giving Fund after recovering from an on-field injury earlier this year. In January, he suffered cardiac arrest after a routine tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. Hamlin made a full recovery and is expected to return to the sport in the fall.
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