The Completionist’s Charity Accused Of Withholding US$600,000 In Dementia Research Funds

The Open Hand Foundation, associated with popular YouTuber Jirard Khalil, who runs The Completionist channel, is facing accusations of withholding over US$600,000 meant for dementia research. Despite claiming to contribute to dementia research organizations, the foundation, established in 2014, is alleged to have retained the raised funds without disbursing them.

In case you are unaware, Jirard Khalil, widely known as The Completionist, seamlessly blends his background in theatre, a lifelong passion for video games, and an unwavering commitment to content creation. Boasting over 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube, Khalil’s energetic and entertaining videos delve into games from the perspective of someone determined to explore every aspect thoroughly.

Joining the revived G4TV network earlier this year, Khalil now co-hosts shows like Xplay and Attack of the Show, programs that inspired his journey into becoming a gaming personality. The forthcoming G4 project, God of Work, co-created by Khalil and Emily Rose Jacobson, portrays a humorous twist on The Office, featuring angry video game characters navigating a temp agency between major releases.

Detailed analyses by YouTubers like Karl Jobst and SomeOrdinaryGamers have shed light on the situation, revealing that the foundation, despite its nonprofit status, has accumulated US$655,000 in its bank account over ten years. Jobst’s breakdown video highlights discrepancies, such as a quote on the foundation’s website from David Kessler, who left his role at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in 2007, seven years before the foundation’s nonprofit registration.

The Open Hand Foundation claims to have supported organizations like UCSF, but there is allegedly no evidence of funds being transferred to any charity or research entity. Jobst confronted the foundation, and Jirard’s brother, Jacque Khalil, responded, stating they made contributions before their official registration in 2014 but failed to provide records of fund disbursement.

In response to inquiries, Jirard Khalil, as of 2021, reportedly became aware of the unutilized funds and is seeking a suitable recipient for donation. However, doubts persist about whether the claimed amount still exists and whether it will genuinely be donated. Despite the allegations, Jirard or the Open Hand Foundation has not publicly addressed the accusations.