Though the Aurora Victim Relief Fund has raised over $5 million, the families of those who lost their lives in the Aurora theater shooting tragedy say they've only received $5,000 each and that they've had no say in how the rest of the money is distributed.

"We're certain that everyone who donated their hard-earned wages intended for 100 percent of the donations to go directly to the victims, and then each family affected would use those funds for what they most needed to help their healing process," said Tom Teves, who lost his 24-year-old son Alex Teves in the July 20th Aurora theater shootings.

"Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case."

During the press conference, organized by 11 families of Aurora shooting victims -- some of whom flew out to Colorado in order to be present -- the families said that the first disbursement of funds, amounting to $100,000 went instead to 10 area nonprofits. A 7/20 board, called the Recovery Committee, was set up to distribute the donations though the board does not include any family members of the shooting victims.

Instead, the board is made up of city officials, the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA), Aurora Public Schools, a representative from the Community First Foundation and Karla Maraccini, a representative from Governor John Hickenlooper's office.

"In the meantime, the Giving First website continued collecting donations using the pictures and names of our loved ones to motivate donations without our permission, promising this would go directly to the victims. However at the same time Giving First announced that no checks would be cut directly to the victims," said Teves.

The families say they wanted to hold a press conference after experiencing a lack of transparency about the funds and a lack of communication from COVA and the Giving First Foundation.

To date, the Giving First Foundation says it has given $350,000 to 70 victims who were hurt or lost in the shooting. That amounts to $5,000 each.

Marla Williams, the president and CEO of the Giving First Foundation talked with The Huffington Post and said that the $5,000 was intended to be just the first round of funds to help address the most pressing needs of the victims' families.

"We know there will be intermediate and longer needs for people as well," Williams said.

Williams said that Tom Teves reached out to her about having victims on the 7/20 committee and said that she took his request to committee members, but added that there are close to 2,000 family members of victims who were in the theater.

"The committe is looking at ways this has been done in other tragedies, like Columbine, Virginia Tech and others. There are people on this 7/20 committee that have been involved in those recovery efforts as well. They're working on what's the best way to (involve victims' families more), understanding the number of victims are so large," said Williams.

Williams also added that COVA asked to take part in the gag order so they could have access to sealed information in the Aurora tragedy, and that they may not be able to divulge much in an interview. A call to COVA's Executive Director Nancy Lewis was not immediately returned.

The mother of 19-year-old shooting victim Jarell Brooks, who helped get a mother and her young children out of the theater at the cost of suffering bullet wounds, said the experience has been something nobody could prepare for.

"It's like going over the 20th over and over and over again," Brooks said, noting that her son has suffered some PTSD-like symptoms since the shooting.

Teves also questioned Gov. Hickenlooper's commitment to the victims' families, reminding members of the media that Hickenlooper had attended many funerals for the victims.

“You pledged 12 times, ‘We will remember.’ Are you a man of your words? Or were they just words?”

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  • Tom Teves, left, with his wife Caren Teves, holds their son's Alex ashes, while briefing media after his memorial service at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Ahwatukee, Ariz. Alex Teves was one of 12 victims killed in the shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo. At least 50 others were wounded in the attack on July 20, at the theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes. (AP Photo/The Republic, Nick Oza)

  • Matt McQuinn Funeral

    Family and friends pay their final respects to Matthew McQuinn at the Lawrenceville Cemetery on Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Springfield, Ohio. McQuinn shielded his girlfriend, Samantha Yowler, from gunfire during the shooting at the Aurora, Colo. movie theater on July 20. Twelve people were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting attack at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Springfield News-Sun, Barbara J. Perenic) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Matt McQuinn Funeral

    Samatha Yowler, middle, is escorted from the Lawrenceville Cemetery after graveside services for her boyfriend, Matt McQuinn on Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Springfield, Ohio. McQuinn shielded Yowler, from gunfire during the shooting at the Aurora, Colo. movie theater on July 20. Twelve people were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting attack at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Springfield News-Sun, Barbara J. Perenic) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Matt McQuinn Funeral

    Family and friends pay their final respects to Matthew McQuinn at the Lawrenceville Cemetery on Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Springfield, Ohio. McQuinn shielded his girlfriend, Samantha Yowler, from gunfire during the shooting at the Aurora, Colo. movie theater on July 20. Twelve people were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting attack at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Springfield News-Sun, Barbara J. Perenic) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Matt McQuinn Funeral

    Family and friends pay their final respects to Matthew McQuinn at the Lawrenceville Cemetery on Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Springfield, Ohio. McQuinn shielded his girlfriend, Samantha Yowler, from gunfire during the shooting at the Aurora, Colo. movie theater on July 20. Twelve people were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting attack at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Springfield News-Sun, Barbara J. Perenic) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Mourners attend a memorial service for Jessica Ghawi at Community Bible Church in Bulverde, Texas on Saturday, July 28, 2012. Ghawi, 24, was one of the 12 people killed in the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo. on July 20. Twelve people were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting attack at the movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/The San Antonio Express-News, Kin Man Hui) RUMBO DE SAN ANTONIO OUT; NO SALES

  • Mourners leave a memorial service for Jessica Ghawi at Community Bible Church in Bulverde, Texas on Saturday, July 28, 2012. Ghawi, 24, was one of the 12 people killed in the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo. on July 20. Twelve people were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting attack at the movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/The San Antonio Express-News, Kin Man Hui) RUMBO DE SAN ANTONIO OUT; NO SALES

  • Samantha Yowler, right, pays her final respects to boyfriend Matt McQuinn, at the Maiden Lane Church of God, Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Springfield, Ohio. McQuinn shielded his girlfriend, Yowler, from gunfire during the shooting at the Aurora, Colo., movie theater on July 20. Twelve people were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting attack at the movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/The Springfield News-Sun, Marshall Gorby) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Matthew McQuinn funeral

    Family and friends pay their final respects to Matthew McQuinn, outside the Maiden Lane Church on Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Springfield, Ohio. McQuinn shielded his girlfriend, Yowler, from gunfire during the shooting at the Aurora, Colo. movie theater on July 20. Twelve people were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting attack at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/The Dayton Daily News, Kareem Elgazzar) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Onlookers watch as Matt McQuinn's casket is taken from Springfield's Maiden Lane Church of God after a funeral service on Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Springfield, Ohio. McQuinn shielded his girlfriend, Samantha Yowler, from gunfire during the shooting at the Aurora, Colo. movie theater on July 20. Twelve people were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting attack at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/The Springfield News-Sun, Marshall Gorby ) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Mourners attend the funeral for AJ Boik, a victim in the July 20th movie theater mass shooting, Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora. Friends describe the recent high school graduate as someone who wanted everyone to be happy. He was set to start classes at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and planned to become an art teacher. (AP Photo/The Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • A young girl during her final viewing at the Funeral for A.J. Boik Friday, July 27, 2012 at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, Colo. Friends describe the recent high school graduate as someone who wanted everyone to be happy. He was set to start classes at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and planned to become an art teacher. (AP Photo/The Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • Michael Garcia,

    Aurora Fire Chief Michael Garcia, center right, sits with other officials as he attends the funeral for Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik, Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in Aurora, Colo. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • Theresa Hoover, left, the mother of Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik, hugs Boik's girlfriend, Lasamoa Cross, right, during Boik's funeral, Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in Aurora, Colo. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates, right, walks with other law enforcement officers as they attend the funeral for Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik, Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in Aurora, Colo. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • The funeral for Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik, is conducted by Rev. Martin Lally, Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in Aurora, Colo. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • The funeral for Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik, is conducted, Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in Aurora, Colo. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • The casket bearing the body of Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik, is covered during Boik's funeral, Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in Aurora, Colo. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • Theresa Hoover, left, the mother of Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik, wears AJ's favorite color purple as she sits with her father Bill Hoover, right, during AJ Boik's funeral, Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in Aurora, Colo. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • The funeral for Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik, is conducted, Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in Aurora, Colo. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Denver Post, Joe Amon, Pool)

  • Lasamoa Cross, right, the girlfriend of Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik, is hugged by Boik's Uncle, David Hoover, after Boik's body was loaded into the hearse, following Boik's funeral, Friday, July 27, 2012, in Aurora, Colo. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

  • Young friends of Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting victim AJ Boik hug each other following Boik's funeral, Friday, July 27, 2012, in Aurora, Colo. Boik was a recent high-school graduate. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people killed in a shooting attack, that also wounded dozens, last Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

  • Alexander A J Boik

    Flowers for the funeral of Alexander A. J. Boik arrive at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, Colo., Friday, July 27, 2012. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people were killed and over 50 wounded in a shooting attack last week at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

  • Alexander A J Boik

    The casket of Alexander A. J. Boik arrives at Queen of Peace Catholic Church before Boik's funeral service in Aurora, Colo., Friday, July 27, 2012. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people were killed and over 50 wounded in a shooting attack last week at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

  • Alexander A J Boik

    A funeral director carries a photo of Alexander A. J. Boik for display at his funeral mass at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, Colo., Friday, July 27, 2012. Boik, 18, was one of twelve people were killed and over 50 wounded in a shooting attack last week at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

  • Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates arrives for the funeral of Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting victim Micayla Medek, Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

  • A mourner at the funeral for Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting victim Micayla Medek wears a pink ribbon with the "Hello Kitty" character that was Medek's favorite, Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

  • Shane Medek, the brother of Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting victim Micayla Medek, is hugged by their grandmother, Marlene Knobbe, as Micayla's body is loaded into a hearse following her funeral, Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Denver. Micayla Medek was one of 12 people killed when a gunman opened fire in a movie theater last Friday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

  • Pallbearers carry the casket bearing the body of Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting victim Micayla Medek following her funeral Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

  • Amanda Medek, sister of Micayla Medek, carries a frame walks away from where the family of Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting victim Micayla Medek had gathered before Medek's funeral, Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Denver. Twelve people were killed and over 50 wounded in the shooting attack early Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

  • Marlene Knobbe, the grandmother of Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting victim Micayla Medek, comforts Micayla's second cousin Kailyn Vigil, after Micayla's body was loaded into a hearse following her funeral, Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Denver. Micayla Medek was one of 12 people killed when a gunman opened fire in a movie theater last Friday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

  • A guest at the funeral of Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting victim Micayla Medek, carries a notice with her photo on it, Thursday, July 26, 2012, prior to her funeral in Denver. Twelve people were killed and over 50 wounded in the shooting attack early Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

  • Steve Hogan

    Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan arrives at a memorial service for Gordon Cowden Wednesday, July 25, 2012 in Denver. Cowden was one of 12 people killed, and over 50 wounded in a shooting attack early Friday at the packed theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

  • Aurora Colorado Continues To Mourn In Wake Of Movie Theater Killings

    AURORA, CO - JULY 27: A mourner touches the hears carrying the casket of shooting victim Alexander Jonathan 'A.J.' Boik, 18, after the funeral at Queen of Peace Catholic Church July 27, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. Twenty-four-year-old James Holmes is suspected of killing 12 and injuring 58 others July 20 during a shooting rampage at a screening of 'The Dark Knight Rises' in Aurora, Colorado (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)