In announcing the 3rd Annual Patrice O’Neal Comedy Benefit, Bill Burr stated “it’s a real charity.” Burr then proceeded to criticize, by name, other charities where only a small percentage of funds raised go directly to the stated/intended goal/cause.

The troubling reality is that the Patrice O’Neal Comedy Benefit is NOT a real charity; there is no Foundation or charitable organization registered in the States of California (where Burr resides), New York (where the event is held annually), New Jersey (where Patrice resided) or Massachusetts (where Patrice’s mother lives).

While each State has specific requirements that must be met in order to raise funds in the manner which the Patrice O’Neal Comedy Benefit does, the “real charity” has never met these specific requirements or even filed paperwork with the appropriate State’s Attorney General’s office as it is required to do. While most State’s provide a generous time period to meet these requirements, that period ended shortly after the 2nd Annual Patrice O’Neal Comedy Benefit.

I greatly admire Bill Burr for establishing this event in the memory of his dear friend Patrice O’Neal. In the past I have purchased things that the public was told would benefit Patrice’s family.

However stating “it’s a real charity” when, in fact, it is not, raises many questions about the appropriation of the funds raised by this event. The misrepresentation of this event as “a real charity” demands a higher level of transparency and accountability by Bill Burr in order to support his claim that all of the funds go to the stated recipients.

Furthermore, to truly carry on the memory and spirit of the great Patrice O’Neal, the group needs to meet the State’s requirements and file the appropriate papers to establish an actual charity or foundation.

If you look at the amazing work of Gilda’s Club or the Bill Hicks Foundation for Wildlife, you’ll see the true potential of charities in the names of comedians who have died too soon that work to do good and keep the deceased name and legacy alive.

A once a year event is nice but a character as big and vibrant as Patrice O’Neal deserves more; he deserves “a real charity” that will keep his legacy alive and use that legacy to help others in his name.