Unbelievable: Only Half of Sandy Hook Donations Spent

by Gary Snyder

A year and a half after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, nearly half of the $28 million raised in charitable donations has yet to be distributed, a report (66 pages, PDF) from the Connecticut State Attorney General's Office finds.

Based on survey responses from seventy-seven organizations — including twenty-nine that were created specifically in response to the December 2012 tragedy and thirteen based in other states — the report found that as of late 2013, funds totaling more than $15 million had been distributed.

Nearly half the groups surveyed reported having unspent funds or undisbursed in-kind donations ($12.5 million) that were being held in reserve to meet long-term community needs, including mental health and other services, memorials, scholarships, and future programming. (remind you of the American Red Cross?).

Seven organizations reported raising more than $1 million and, collectively, account for 75 percent of all funds raised. They include the United Way of Western Connecticut – Sandy Hook School Support Fund ($12.1 million). 

The report also notes that of the approximately $23 million raised by the top ten fundraising organizations, about $10 million, or 45 percent, remains unspent. (source)







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