The oversight of NFL player foundations has come under scrutiny once again, this time focusing on the management of the foundation belonging to Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward.
The Cameron Heyward Foundation faced challenges similar to those highlighted in a previous investigation by The Arizona Republic. According to the latest report, Heyward’s foundation lost its tax-exempt status in May 2022 due to failure to file federal tax returns for three consecutive years.
Although the status was reinstated in November 2023, the foundation failed to register for soliciting donations in Pennsylvania and is also unable to account for a significant sum of money, estimated at $226,000.
It appears that Heyward, like other players, may have lacked proper guidance on managing such foundations.
Heyward’s mother, Charlotte Heyward-Wesley, emphasized that their actions were not malicious and stemmed from a lack of knowledge rather than ill intent. Despite these issues, Heyward was honored with the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award for 2023.
Agent Michael Perrett, representing Heyward, highlighted the need for better education on this matter among players. The foundation’s problems trace back to Erik Bescher, who prepared tax returns for the foundation but admitted to being overwhelmed by the task.
Moving forward, there is a clear desire to rectify mistakes and prevent others from facing similar challenges. However, managing a foundation requires diligence and expertise, as stressed by CharityWatch executive director Laurie Styron.
Given the recurring nature of these issues, it’s imperative for the league, NFL Players Association, and teams to provide comprehensive guidance to players when establishing tax-exempt charities. Failure to do so could lead to serious consequences, including financial discrepancies and legal troubles.
