STING'S RAINFOREST FOUNDATION UNDER FIRE - StingUs - News on The Police, Sting, Steward Copeland and Andy Summers

Tue May 06 2008 | STING'S RAINFOREST FOUNDATION UNDER FIRE

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Charity Navigator, a watchdog group, has rated the Rainforest Foundation as one of the worst for percentage of actual monies used for the purported charity. Sting and his wife Trudie Styler fronted a charity to save the world's rainforests, and so far it has raked in millions, but less than half the riches actually funded tree-saving programs, according to charity watchdogs and a New York Post review of tax records. The charity was founded in 1989 by Sting, his wife, Trudie Styler, and Belgian photographer Jean Pierre Dutilleux.
The next annual Carnegie concert takes place Thursday; it is an ongoing concert series that raises money for the Rainforest Foundation, and its US affiliate, Rainforest Foundation Inc., based in New York City.
The 2006 concert - according to the New York Post - raised $2,156,989, per the latest available IRS tax filing.
The Post claims that $887,374 of the money raised, (41 percent), was divided among the charity's eight programs that support native-land claims and forest preservation in Latin America and Africa. Not good enough says Charity watchdogs. The approved ratio is 75 percent of total revenues on programs, per the Post. The watchdog group has given Rainforest Foundation Inc. a zero rating for each of the last four years.
The Post claims the Charity "hoards" cash reserves of donations. Something watchdog groups frown upon, saying a bona fide organization would not bank more than a year's expenses.
The Post also brings up discrepancies with the allowable ticket face value, and what people can legally write off as a donation versus the face value they are charged. "The charity sold the tickets for between $100 and $600 but estimated the fair market value at a mere $45 per ticket. This allowed buyers to write off most of the ticket price as a donation," writes The Post.
"If the receipts are wrong, donors could face IRS audits," said James Dellinger, an analyst for Capital Research, a watchdog group based in Washington to the Post.
Now Charity co-founder Dutilleux, who is no longer involved, has joined the watchdogs with his own criticisms. "I have kept quiet for almost 20 years, hoping for improvement," he told The Post, referring to the allegations. "But enough is enough. Everything is true or worse."
Source: M&C People

Posted on May 06, 08 | 10:08 am

Well, if everything they say is true that's really a shame. Not only they would be ridiculous (aren't they rich enough anyway) but to make money with a environnemental cause would discredit other causes of same importance and that's probably the worst. If 20 years has gone that way, well I hope they aren't proud of it and will make a repaiement with their own millions.

Posted by: Brandnew on May 06, 08 | 1:30 pm

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I used to really look up to Sting, but his musical creativity has dried up post-Mercury Falling, and stories like this, the poor treatment of their pregnant chef, etc., not to mention the ridiculous cash-in tour (including the rip-off fan club) have really turned me off of him, and sadly, no longer come as no surprise. There's nothing wrong with earning money, but why rip people off under a banner of goodwill? After years of supporting his work and looking up to him as an artist and humanitarian, I, as merely a humble fan, am disappointed to see the direction one of my once-favorite artists has taken. I know that nobody's perfect, but using the excuse of a charity to essentially throw self-congratulatory parties for yourself (and charge your fans lots of money to attend!) is low :(

Posted by: Project37 on May 06, 08 | 2:36 pm

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Sounds like the only thing fragile is Sting's money. First he releases Sacred Love, then he and Trudie beat up a pregnant woman and now they're using dead trees from the rainforest for foot stools while they sick back and drink champagne. Sting kills trees. I wouldn't be surprised if he has an organic logging company. Now before anyone boycotts Gordon, I would like to announce that I will be interested in buying Police tickets for a premium for any of the Northeast shows.

Posted by: chunga on May 06, 08 | 3:14 pm

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I think I have to agree with you, Brandnew, in all points...

Posted by: Mondmann on May 09, 08 | 12:55 am

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And I think I have to agree with you, Project37, in all points...

Posted by: Mondmann on May 09, 08 | 12:56 am

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