A recent report by Americans for Public Trust (APT) has unveiled a significant financial flow from European charities into American left-leaning nonprofits, allegedly amounting to nearly $2 billion. This analysis, based on IRS Form 990s and other credible sources, claims that five foreign organizations are using their resources to promote a far-left agenda within the United States, potentially undermining democratic processes.
The report highlights how these foreign entities exploit the U.S. nonprofit framework to influence political discourse. While direct donations from foreign nationals to U.S. political candidates are prohibited, APT’s findings suggest a complex web of transatlantic funding that supports various activist campaigns. According to APT Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland, “foreign money is coming in, and it’s trying to erode our democracy.”
Key Findings and Financial Flows
The five foreign foundations identified in the report are:
1. **Quadrature Climate Foundation (UK)**: Founded in 2019 by hedge-fund billionaires Greg Skinner and Suneil Setiya, QCF has contributed approximately $530 million to 41 U.S. groups, including ClimateWorks Foundation and the Sunrise Project. Their funding reportedly supports controversial initiatives such as solar-geoengineering research.
2. **KR Foundation (Denmark)**: Associated with the Carlsberg family, this charity has allocated $36 million to 53 U.S. organizations. Major recipients include the Center for International Environmental Law and Oil Change International, focusing on climate litigation and advocacy.
3. **Oak Foundation (Switzerland)**: Established by billionaire Alan Parker, this foundation has provided over $750 million to 152 U.S. entities, primarily targeting climate justice and litigation against fossil fuel companies. Notable recipients include the Environmental Law Institute and Community Change.
4. **Laudes Foundation (Switzerland)**: Created in 2020 by the Brenninkmeijer family, Laudes has funneled $20 million to 17 U.S. organizations promoting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
5. **Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (UK)**: Managed by British billionaire Sir Christopher Hohn, CIFF has sent $553 million to 39 U.S. groups, with pledges to cease funding after APT’s revelations.
APT emphasizes that these funding strategies exploit gaps in U.S. regulatory frameworks, especially regarding 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, which can engage in political advocacy without the same restrictions as direct political contributions.
Impact on U.S. Politics and Policy
The implications of this foreign funding extend beyond mere financial influence. Sutherland expressed concern about the potential for these funds to support organized protests and lobbying efforts, particularly against the agenda of former President Donald Trump. She stated, “There’s not a question about where it’s going and where it is coming from. We know that it’s foreign money coming into our U.S. policy fights.”
The report also cites specific instances of how these funds have been used to support anti-Trump initiatives, including protests and campaigns against policies tied to the Make America Great Again movement. Sutherland pointed to the Oak Foundation’s funding of Community Change, a group actively opposing Trump’s crime policies, as a particularly alarming example of foreign influence in domestic affairs.
APT argues that the unchecked flow of foreign philanthropy poses a direct threat to U.S. sovereignty and calls for urgent reforms in how foreign funding to U.S. nonprofits is monitored. Suggested measures include closing loopholes in the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), requiring transparency in foreign-funded nonprofits, and investigating potential violations of U.S. law by these organizations.
As the landscape of political funding evolves, the findings from APT serve as a critical reminder of the complex interplay between foreign influence and domestic policy advocacy. The report underscores the need for vigilance and reform to safeguard the integrity of American democracy from external pressures.
