47% Of Michelle Muscat’s Marigold Foundation’s Donations Went To Events And Advertising
The Marigold Foundation, led by Michelle Muscat, wife of former prime minister Joseph Muscat, used nearly half of its donated funds for events and advertising, based on recently submitted audited accounts for 2021.
The foundation, originally named ‘The Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community” as part of Bank of Valletta’s corporate social responsibility program, aims to support the NGO sector by distributing donations to partner organisations.
A report by The Shift looked into the accounts which revealed that out of €146,379 in donations received, 47% (€68,956) was spent on campaigns, events, and operating expenses.
The foundation ended the year with a balance of €742,255. The accounts also mentioned three in-person events and one online event organised by the foundation.
However, the main fundraising activity, Michelle Muscat’s long-distance swimming challenge, was not held due to health reasons related to COVID-19.
This challenge had previously faced controversy in 2019 when exaggerated claims about her achievements during the swim were exposed on Twitter.
In response to the previous year’s controversy, the challenge had no measured distance in 2020 and was eventually cancelled entirely in 2021.
The Marigold Foundation was initially set up by the Bank of Valletta in 2014. But Michelle Muscat was effectively handed over control in 2019 through a token sum of €100 with an amendment to the Foundation’s deed.
According to The Shift, “Between 2017 and 2019, more than €300,000 in taxpayer funds were donated to the Foundation, with more than half a million euros in public funds having been donated since Joseph Muscat became prime minister in 2013″.
What do you make of this?
READ NEXT: 'Could Have Killed Someone': FoodBlog's Andrew Finds Car Crushed By Falling Rocks From Valletta Balcony
