Stings Rainforest Foundation, which collects funds to save rainforests through special programs, has been accused of hoarding money raised at a 2006 concert.
Melbourne, May 6 : Sting's Rainforest Foundation, which collects funds to save rainforests through special programs, has been accused of hoarding money raised at a 2006 concert.
According to a charity watchdog, the star-studded New York concert hosted by Sting delivered less than half of the millions it raised.
The rocker's Rainforest Foundation also faces allegations that it hoards donations and inflates ticket prices to its events so they can be used as tax write-offs.
The foundation's 2006 event, which included Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow and Will Ferrell, raised almost 2.3 million dollars, but less than 940,000 dollars were given to the charity's eight programs that support native land claims and forest preservation in Latin America and Africa, the New York Post reported.
The foundation has been rated one of New York's worst charities by watchdog Charity Navigator, who said that a good charity spends 75 per cent of what it raises on programs.
"This one would fall to the bottom of the bucket," News.com.au quoted watchdog spokeswoman Sandra Miniutti, as saying.
The watchdog has given the Sting's foundation a zero rating for each of the past four years.
People who have made donations for the foundation include Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks and billionaire Ron Perelman.
However, Sting's wife, Trudie Styler, said: "The Rainforest Foundation is celebrating its 20th year. We wouldn't still be in business or have given out millions of dollars over the years if we'd spent everything we made immediately after it came in."
ANI