The $6 million contract awarded to Baltimore nonprofit We Our Us by Governor Wes Moore’s administration wasn’t a gesture of faith in a community organization; it was a calculated risk, predicated on a political imperative to demonstrate rapid investment in underserved communities, even if due diligence lagged. The subsequent struggle to obtain basic financial transparency from the organization – specifically, legally required tax returns – isn’t an oversight, but a predictable consequence of prioritizing optics over operational readiness. This situation reveals a broader pattern: the tension between demonstrating political wins through quick disbursement of funds and ensuring those funds are responsibly stewarded.
The core issue isn’t simply late tax filings; it’s the erosion of accountability when public money flows to entities lacking established financial governance. We Our Us received the substantial contract through a “non-competitive” procurement process from the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), a red flag in itself. This bypasses standard vetting procedures, suggesting the administration prioritized speed over a rigorous assessment of the organization’s capacity. As Linda Parsons, a professor at the University of Alabama specializing in nonprofit accounting, bluntly stated, “If you're getting taxpayer dollars, you need to have the capacity to report the spending on those dollars.” The fact that 95% of We Our Us’ revenue already comes from taxpayer dollars amplifies the risk – and the need for meticulous oversight.
This article draws on reporting from foxbaltimore.com.
The timeline is particularly revealing. The contract was awarded in August, yet as of February, the organization’s 2024 tax form, due last year, remains unavailable. While Corey Barnes, director of operations for We Our Us, initially claimed audits were pending and would resolve the issue by the end of 2025, the 2023 tax form filed after that November interview explicitly stated no audit had been conducted. This discrepancy isn’t merely a matter of semantics; it’s a direct contradiction that undermines trust. Brian Mittendorf, a professor at Ohio State University, correctly points out that an audit isn’t a prerequisite for filing a tax return, further highlighting the organization’s failure to meet basic reporting requirements. The claim in February that the 2024 form was filed in January, coupled with Barnes’ refusal to provide a copy, only deepens the suspicion.
This situation echoes historical precedents where ambitious social programs, launched with fanfare, falter due to inadequate oversight. The Community Development Block Grant program of the 1970s, intended to revitalize urban areas, was plagued by similar issues of fraud, waste, and lack of accountability. While the intent was laudable, the rush to distribute funds often outpaced the capacity of local governments and organizations to manage them effectively. The parallel isn’t about the specific programs, but the recurring pattern of prioritizing political expediency over responsible governance. The lack of response from DJS and Governor Moore’s office to questions regarding We Our Us’ qualifications and spending further reinforces this dynamic. Silence, in this case, isn’t neutrality; it’s a strategic decision to avoid scrutiny.
The concerns extend beyond late filings. Laurie Styron, CEO of Charity Watch, points to “questionable omissions” in the 2023 tax form – a lack of prior year financials, missing board member listings, and the absence of whistleblower and conflict-of-interest policies. These aren’t minor technicalities; they are fundamental elements of sound financial management. Coupled with the previously reported $200,000 in personal tax liens owed by Antoine Burton, president of We Our Us, the picture painted is one of an organization ill-equipped to handle a $6 million contract. Parsons’ assessment is stark: “This is the kind of background that would keep somebody from getting a job as a chief financial officer.”
Who benefits and who loses here? Governor Moore benefits from the narrative of investing in Baltimore’s communities, a key promise of his campaign. We Our Us benefits from a significant influx of funding, regardless of its administrative capacity. The losers are the taxpayers of Maryland, who are funding an organization with questionable financial practices, and the communities the funds are intended to serve, who may not see the promised benefits due to mismanagement. The political chess move to watch next is whether the Moore administration will initiate an independent audit of We Our Us’ finances and publicly release the findings – or continue to shield the organization from scrutiny, prioritizing political capital over fiscal responsibility.
