by Leo Castaneda | inewsource
and Brad Racino and Joanne Faryon | inewsource
[highlight]This is a list of organizations we were able to discover at the secret Koch brothers event at the St. Regis Monarch Beach hotel in Dana Point on June 13, 2014. For the full story of what we saw and heard, click here.[/highlight]
Concerned Veterans for America
This nonprofit, based in Arlington, Virginia, is focused on “freedom and free markets,” advocating for a “return to the tradition of limited, effective government and disciplined administration.” Founded in 2012, it is in the midst of a 10-city “Defend Freedom” summer tour. Run by Minnesota National Guard Captain Pete Hegseth, the group supports cuts to the defense budget as part of Washington’s fiscal responsibility and “wants veterans to lead the process.” The group announced in late May an ad campaign targeting 11 senators in eight states to advocate for a Veterans Administration accountability bill passed in the House.
The organization reported less than $50,000 in gross receipts for tax year 2012-13. However, according to ProPublica, the organization’s “disregarded entity” — an associated limited liability corporation — received almost $2 million during 2011-12 from the Koch-affiliated TC4 Trust and the Center to Protect Patient Rights. The center is itself funded by TC4 Trust and Koch-affiliated Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce.
Center for Shared Services
CSS is a nonprofit that provides services, such as human resources and technology, to other tax-exempt organizations. Founded in 2011 in Alexandria, Virginia, CSS had eight employees and one trustee, Sarah Field, in 2012, according to the organization’s 2012 tax returns.
In its 2012 tax return, CSS reported slightly more than $1.9 million in revenue. ProPublica reported that in 2011-12 CSS, which also uses an affiliated LLC, received almost $1.3 million from TC4 Trust and $2.7 million from Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, both Koch-affiliated fundraising organizations.
The LIBRE Initiative
The LIBRE Initiative is “dedicated to informing the U.S. Hispanic community about the benefits of a constitutionally limited government, property rights, rule of law, sound money supply and free enterprise through a variety of community events, research and policy initiatives that protect our economic freedom.” Started in 2011, it’s based in Mission, Texas. Recent events hosted by the LIBRE Initiative have included a Hispanic pastors prayer breakfast and financial literacy classes. LIBRE is also funding ad campaigns against elected officials who supported the Affordable Care Act. The organization is run by Daniel Garza, who was a White House staffer under President George W. Bush and who grew up working alongside his parents as a migrant farm worker.
In its 2012 tax return, the LIBRE Initiative reported more than $2.1 million in total gross receipts. According to ProPublica, LIBRE, which also uses an affiliated LLC, received $3.1 million from Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, $693,000 from TC4 Trust and $152,366 from the Center to Protect Patient Rights. All three organizations are affiliated with the Koch brothers’ fundraising network.
Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity has been called one of the most active members of the Koch brothers’ advocacy nonprofits. It is focused on educating and mobilizing citizens “in the name of limited government and free markets.” It reportedly plans to spend more than $125 million in the upcoming elections. Tim Phillips is president of both Americans for Prosperity and Americans for Prosperity Foundation.
In its 2012 tax returns, Americans for Prosperity reported more than $115 million in gross receipts, and AFP Foundation reported $24.6 million. According to ProPublica, Americans for Prosperity uses an affiliated LLC and received $32.3 million from Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, $11.5 million from Center to Protect Patients Rights and $500,000 from TC4 Trust, all affiliated with the Koch brothers’ fundraising network.
Mercatus Center
The Mercatus Center is a “university-based research center” at George Mason University focused on “market-oriented ideas.” It is a part of the Koch Family Foundations and Philanthropy, and 2012 tax return listed Charles Koch as one of the think tank’s directors. Brian Hooks is the executive director.
In its 2012 tax return, the Mercatus Center reported more than $13.8 million in gross receipts.
Charles Koch Foundation
The Charles Koch Foundation is a nonprofit organization and private foundation created in 1980 to support “universities and other non-profit organizations to explore the institutions that foster societal well-being.” It is a part of the Koch Family Foundations and Philanthropy, and 2012 tax return lists Charles G., Charles C. and Elizabeth Koch as directors.
In its 2012 tax return, the Charles Koch Foundation reported $83 million in total revenues.
Institute for Humane Studies
The Institute for Humane Studies, based at George Mason University, seeks to discover and help develop “talented, productive students, scholars and other intellectuals who share an interest in liberty.” It does this through scholarships, career assistance and summer internship programs in partnership with the Koch Family Foundations and Philanthropy. The Institute for Humane Studies listed Charles Koch as chairman in its 2012 tax return.
In its 2012 tax return, the Institute for Humane Studies reported $10.5 million in gross receipts.
i360°
i360° provides data and tools for analyzing“the pro-free-market, public affairs, political and corporate community.” According to the Huffington Post, i360° is owned by the Koch-affiliated Freedom Partners. Themis, a voter database company associated with Koch brothers, has been working with i360° and has become a rival to official databases built by the Republican National Committee.
Themis cost about $18 million to build in 2010 and 2011, and was used during the 2012 elections. Republican candidates have used i360° since 2010, according to Politico. The Themis Trust, which uses an affiliated LLC, received $5.8 million from Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce and $3.1 million from TC4 Trust, according to ProPublica.
Charles Koch Institute
The Charles Koch Institute is focused on the “advancement of liberty and economic freedom” through education. Charles G. Koch, along with Charles C. and Elizabeth Koch are listed as directors in the organization’s tax returns; Logan Moore is director of operations. The Charles Koch Institute has recently hosted a forum on criminal justice reform with Mediaite and one on immigration reform with Buzzfeed.
In its 2012 tax return, the Charles Koch Institute reported more that $170 million in gross receipts.
GenOpp
Generation Opportunity, called GenOpp, is a “non-profit millennial advocacy organization,” “driven by our passion for freedom and the well-being of our generation.” A campaign late last year urged young people to opt-out of the Affordable Care Act. The campaign featured TV ads, Snapchat messages and tailgate parties featuring “Creepy Uncle Sam.” The organization is lead by former Senate senior aide Evan Feinberg.
In 2012, Generation Opportunity Institute claimed less than $50,000 in gross receipts on its tax return. According to ProPublica, the group also uses an affiliated LLC and received $5 million from Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, $2.1 million from TC4 Trust and $29,211 from the Center to Protect Patient Rights, all affiliated with the Koch brothers’ fundraising network.
Thank you for your investigation of the Dana Point gathering for members of the oligarchy.
Boy, I’d like to be a fly on the wall there…..