Bills’ Dumar Hamlin donates $10 million raised by Service-to-Others to his charity

new york – Buffalo Bills safety Dumar Hamlin used $10 million donated to an online fundraising campaign after collapsing on the field to fund his own nonprofit, Chasing M’s Foundation. increase.

The decision, first shared with the Associated Press on Monday, was the 25-year-old for the unprecedented amount of support he received after his heart stopped following a tackle during a “Monday Night Football” game in January. start planning for

Hamlin said in a statement, “We have been very careful and purposeful in taking the time to properly launch our charity.” We are excited to start sharing news about the programs we are creating.”

That people continue to donate to the fundraiser weekly, if not daily, is just one measure of the emotional power and connection Hamlin has with so many. has donated over $9 million to GoFundMe campaigns and nearly $1 million to a second online fundraiser set up by The Giving Back Fund. Hamlin charity spokesperson.

Hamlin’s marketing rep said in January that his family had arranged a giving back fund as a financial sponsor for funds given to GoFundMe so that Hamlin’s team could raise money as a charity. , Hamlin’s team said millions of dollars donated to GoFundMe would eventually be transferred to The Giving Back Fund, but that was not the case.

Last week, news outlet Sportico reported on confusion within The Giving Back Fund, stemming from the question of whether Hamlin’s GoFundMe donation was a charitable donation. Marc Pollick, CEO of The Giving Back Fund, said in a statement that he disputed the accuracy of Sportico’s reporting, saying the organization’s leadership “has always operated ethically, properly and legally”. rice field.

“My charity has nothing to do with the challenges faced by the Giving Back Fund leadership,” Hamlin said in a statement, adding that “donors are entitled to full tax exemption.” I was.

Denny said Hamlin first launched Chasing M’s Foundation in May 2020 while still a student at the University of Pittsburgh and applied for retroactive tax-exempt status last month.Incorporated as a nonprofit in Pennsylvania it was done.

Experts say the question of whether donors can claim tax credits for what they donated to GoFundMe after his injury may depend on the IRS’ decision. Philadelphia attorney Don Kramer, who edits the website Nonprofit Issues, said the IRS has discretion to retroactively grant his Hamlin nonprofits tax-exempt. Nonetheless, Kramer said the deadline for applying for retroactive status is typically 27 months after the organization is established.

Few donors to Hamlin’s GoFundMe would have much interest in claiming a tax credit for their donation. Due to tax law changes that took place in 2017, only those who itemize their taxes, approximately 11% of filers, are eligible to claim charitable donation deductions.

“Any time people donate money, they check it to see if they really think it’s tax deductible,” said Lisa Delpy Neirotti, director of the sports administration program at George Washington University’s School of Business. I think we need to educate ourselves a little more,” he said. She encouraged her GoFundMe to more clearly distinguish between fundraising efforts established by tax-exempt organizations and those founded by tax-exempt organizations.

GoFundMe has confirmed that it will continue to hold funds provided to Hamlin’s campaign until Hamlin requests that the funds be transferred. The company also said it specifies when fundraisers will benefit the charity.

On May 1, Hamlin applied to update Chasing M’s charter to include its mission, according to records filed with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State. The Chasing M’s Foundation “supports the aspirations of youth and community members through sport, education,” and other activities to “promote health and safety in sport through CPR.” & AED training. “

Neilotti usually advises athletes to partner with major organizations that are already working on causes they care about rather than starting nonprofits. But she said the windfall of taking in millions of dollars at once is rare.

“With that amount, we can really put it into an enduring endowment well beyond his playing days,” she said of Hamlin.

Since being released from the hospital, Hamlin has worked with the American Heart Association on a campaign to teach a simple version of CPR. He also met with President Joe Biden at the White House and advocated making defibrillators available in schools with congressional leaders. , was allowed to practice with the Bills.

Lora Golke, head of donor engagement at the Arizona Community Foundation, said many athletes and their families underestimate the effort and expertise required to run a nonprofit or foundation. says there are many.

“At the same time, we have to remember that he is an athlete and should be doing his job. His job is not charity,” Gorke said. Her organization has launched a sports and charity center that provides advice to former athletes and major teams who have settled in the state on how they can make a difference in their communities.

In his first public statement, posted on social media on January 28, Hamlin thanked those who donated money to the fundraiser, but said, “I know that thanking is not enough. is just the beginning.I wanted to make an impact in the world, and with God’s guidance, I will continue to do great things.”