Saving Our Daughters has been under a microscopic lens of public scrutiny this week that has revealed not only a beef with “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kenya Moore over alleged missing donations, but also evidence that the company lost its tax exemption status over bad business practices. Now, the company has finally opened up about the scandal and is admitting their tax issues.
As previously reported, IRS documents showed that Saving Our Daughters lost their charity status in May 2013, when their 501(c)3 status was revoked for its failure to file a Form 990-series tax return or notice for three consecutive years.
According to Lovebscott.com, Curtis Benjamin, Founder and CEO of Saving Our Daughters, issued a statement yesterday confirming the rumors and explaining why his company lost its tax exemption status.
“Saving Our Daughters’ has been a non-profit since 1997 and received its 501 C-3 in 1998.
“Many people are aware that in 2009 the founder of the organization, Curtis Benjamin, youngest daughter was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor that required immediate chemotherapy and radiation in Atlanta. During this time, all of Mr. Benjamin’s time and energy was solely dedicated to his daughter and family. After 2 1/2 years of battling this disease, Iliss Marie Benjamin died in 2011, one month before her 13th birthday.
“During these unfortunate times, Curtis disengaged in any organization duties and in the meantime, the organization unfortunately lost its tax-exempt status. After grieving his daughter’s death and wanting to fulfill his promise to continue to help young girls, Curtis resumed his duties and passion for Saving Our Daughters. As of December 2013, the non-profit organization Saving Our Daughters has been engaged with the IRS and has re-submitted for its 501-C-3. It is expected that they will be reinstated in mid –year of 2014 and continue its programing causes for young girls in 2014.
“All donations received past and present made to Saving Our Daughters will still be tax-deducible this year and in 2013 as well,” read the statement.
Saving Our Daughters also quietly addressed the drama over their recent accusations that Moore failed to pay them her donations for the “RHOA” Masqurade auction. After Moore provided proof this week that she did indeed pay them, the organization removed the false statement from its website.
We’re still not sure how Benjamin can claim that his lack of involvement with the organization’s duties resulted in the loss of the tax exemption status when records allege that even when he was still there the organization seemed to be donating only a small portion of its revenue. And we’re also still dumbfounded as to why his company claimed Moore didn’t pay them when she clearly did.
In any case, this still seems like an embarrassing issue of bad business, one that has seriously crippled the organization’s reputation. –nicholas robinson
