TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A nonprofit organization in Pinellas County, dedicated to supporting seniors with housing and meal assistance through donations, has finally received its funds after seeking help from Better Call Behnken regarding issues with a fundraising platform.
The Area Agency on Aging for Pinellas-Pasco reached out to 8 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken after experiencing delays from California-based Flipcause in releasing their donations, which had been withheld since February. At one point, the withheld amount exceeded $20,000, and by the time they contacted Behnken, approximately $12,000 remained untransferred. They also reported that communication with the company had ceased.
Just hours after the Better Call Behnken segment aired, the nonprofit received the full amount due.
“These funds are crucial for assisting seniors in crisis, and ironically, we found ourselves in a crisis due to the improper withholding of these funds,” explained Executive Director Ann Marie Winter.
“After the story was broadcast, I sent the link to Flipcause and contacted their CEO and senior management, who had previously ignored our calls and emails, as well as our attorney’s letters. Suddenly, they informed us that all our funds would be transferred to our organization,” Winter added.
Although Flipcause has not responded to Behnken’s requests for comment, the company’s CEO addressed nonprofit clients in August, acknowledging a backlog and assuring that it would be resolved soon.
Winter says she’s happy to have her organization’s money back but she still has serious questions.
“I’m actually concerned about so many other organizations that have reached out to us since the story ran, both local and both organizations outside of Florida that are being held hostage by Flipcause,” Winter said.
The Better Business Bureau has an alert for the business, citing long delays in nonprofits receiving their money. Several other nonprofits have in the Tampa Bay area have reached out to Better Call Behnken about similar issues, and this investigation continues. If you are in this situation, email BetterCallBehnken@wfla.com
