April 23 (UPI) — Five-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is reportedly using his relationship with Best Buddies to fund his own charity.
The Boston Globe reported Saturday that Brady has helped the Massachusetts fundraiser accumulate nearly $20 million since 2011. But Best Buddies paid $2.75 million to his Change the World Trust and pledged to grant it $500,000 more in 2017.
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization “dedicated to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD),” according to its website.
Brady, 39, is entering his 18th season in the NFL. He is a two-time All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowl selection, and two-time MVP. He has played in seven Super Bowls.
“Terrific Tom” made $44 million in 2016, according to Forbes. Celebrity Net Worth evaluated Brady and wife Gisele Bundchen’s net worth at $540 million.
Charity monitors told the Globe that Brady didn’t break any laws with the arrangement.
Best Buddies founder Anthony K. Shriver said there is no contract with Brady, but the fundraiser expects to give $500,000 annually to Brady’s trust.
Page 40 of Best Buddies’ 990 tax form from 2015 shows a $500,000 grant to the Change the World Foundation Trust.
Brady’s trust includes Junipero Serra High School. Brady’s former school in San Mateo, Calif. received $250,000 from Brady’s trust. His trust also gave money to the Santa Monica Catholic Community [$100,000] and charities fronted by former New England Patriots teammates of Brady. Those teammates included Wes Welker, Deion Branch, and Vince Wilfork.
Brady began his Change the World Trust in 2005. He is the only trustee for Change the World.
He has not made a significant financial contribution to his trust since 2005, meaning it is primarily funded by Best Buddies grants.
“Aiding those with disabilities, the focus of Best Buddies, has been a lower priority,” wrote the Globe’s Bob Hohler.
The independent charity monitors questioned “why someone of Brady’s wealth has taken large sums for his foundation from another charity that has its own priorities and needs,” according to the Globe.
The all-time great quarterback “really can’t take credit for being a great philanthropist when he is using other people’s money to help his own organizations,” Charity Watch president Daniel Borochoff told the Globe. “It’s certainly not pure altruism.”
Charity Watch is a Chicago-based nonprofit. It examines philanthropies and advocates for consumers.
Brady volunteers by spending time and putting his image behind Best Buddies.
“I think it has been a smart move, because we have been able to provide services to tens of thousands of people because of Tom, while keeping him engaged and helping him pursue some of his own interests,” Shriver told the Globe. “It has been super beneficial to us and him.”
Best Buddies issued a statement saying Brady has helped raise $46.5 million since his involvement began with the organization in 2001.
“Tom Brady has served as an exemplary Global Ambassador for Best Buddies since 2003, and has helped bring an even greater awareness to the infinite abilities people with intellectual and developmental disabilities possess,” Shriver said in the statement. “Over the past 15 years, Tom has proven himself to be a relentless, committed advocate for individuals with disabilities, always going above and beyond the call of duty to help promote a world of inclusion and opportunity for this population. He truly is an unmatched asset for this organization.”
Shriver is the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. Brady is the only celebrity that receives compensation from Best Buddies, according to Shriver.
“Tom first got involved with Best Buddies as a volunteer back in 2003,” Best Buddies said in a release. “Since that time, he has served as one of the organization’s most dedicated supporters and advocates. Tom’s support not only helps the organization financially, but also in terms of building Best Buddies’ brand awareness and promoting the organization’s mission-based initiatives that create friendships, jobs and leadership development training for people with IDD. In total, Best Buddies has raised $46.5 million and served 11.8 million people with and without IDD, in part because of its 15-year partnership with Tom.”
Best Buddies has a large cast of celebrity endorsers, including: Steve Aoki, Chris Bosh, Pierce Brosnan, Cindy Crawford, Guy Fieri, Kenny G, Kyrie Irving, Ron Howard, Sugar Ray Leonard, Carl Lewis, Rob Lowe, Emmitt Smith, Kevin Spacey, and many others.
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