Originally posted on 23 September 2010 @ Mail Online. Comments there are closed so feel free to continue them here.
Bono’s anti-poverty foundation ONE is under pressure to explain its finances after it was revealed that only a small percentage of money it raises reaches the needy.
The non-profit organisation set up by the U2 frontman received almost £9.6million in donations in 2008 but handed out only £118,000 to good causes (1.2 per cent).
The figures published by the New York Post also show that £5.1million went towards paying salaries.
While the organisation’s gameplan has never been direct handouts on the ground, many who admire the Irish rock legend may be surprised by the figures.
The Post revealed it had received a number of gifts from ONE in the run-up to the event, such as leather notebooks, bags of coffee and water bottles.
In the UK, the organisation has laid on a series of high-profile, celebrity-supported events since it launched in 2002 to fight poverty in Africa and Aids worldwide.
In 2009, the group campaigned to have enshrined in British law a commitment to development assistance abroad.
ONE spokesman Oliver Buston has now defended the way the organisation is run, insisting the money is used for promoting its campaign and raising awareness rather than being given straight to those who need help.
He said: ‘We don’t provide programmes on the ground. We’re an advocacy and campaigning organisation.’
Another spokesman in New York today dismissed the notion of lavish salaries being paid to its 120 members of staff and said the organisation was highly efficient in its raising of awareness.
ONE said it took no money from the public and that most of its funding came from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
full story here: Bono’s ONE foundation under fire for giving tiny percentage of funds to charity | Mail Online.
I’ve re-posted this even though it is old news, and excuses may have been made and things put right. I don’t know as I’ve not researched it. I always thought he was a self righteous prick anyway (my personal opinion). I find it very difficult to trust any charities, and this just re-affirms it.
Related articles
- Aaron and Alex Expose Bono’s Hidden Eugenics Agenda (musicians4freedom.com)
- Elevation seeks $1 billion with help from U2′s Bono (news.cnet.com)
- Silver and Gold: Bono Becomes Rock’s Richest Star? (myq105.cbslocal.com)
