Game of Courts: How the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Shops for Friendly Judges in the Fifth Circuit
Watchdog: Trump-Advising Texas Tax Firm Suing FTC Over Non-Compete Rule Has Ties to 5th Circuit & U.S. Chamber
Conservatives Take Notes from Foreign Authoritarian Leaders at CPAC Hungary
Pharma Giants Opposed to Cost-Lowering Biden Initiative Brag of Billions in Revenue
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Taking “Judge Shopping” To New Extremes
Site Menu

Today, Accountable.US released new profiles detailing the complex web of mega-donor groups that act as the financial epicenter of the right wing. The release represents the latest update of the organization’s Monitoring Influence project, which seeks to uncover the relationships between powerful right-wing organizations and the shadowy, influential mega-donors who fund them. Today’s release comes as the Supreme Court holds oral arguments in Moore v. Harper. 

The profiles detail 13 powerful super funder groups that work to spread millions of dollars to right-wing groups across a broad spectrum of issue areas. Whether these groups are focused on capturing the courts, eroding voting rights, attacking abortion rights,  or advocating for the interests of the wealthy, their goals remain the same: to subvert the popular will of Americans and advance their fringe right-wing agenda.

Of the groups profiled, 8 of them contributed nearly $90 million to organizations that filed amicus briefs in the upcoming Supreme Court case, Moore v. Harper, voicing support for the implementation of the fringe Independent State Legislature Theory, which would give sole authority over federal elections to state legislatures.

“

For years, ultra-wealthy conservatives and their mega-donors have quietly worked to force their fringe agenda on Americans. Now, many of these same groups are urging the Supreme Court to make state legislatures the sole authority over our elections, clearing the way for election subversion. We can not allow a small group of wealthy mega-donors to hide in the shadows and spend millions of dollars to erode our democracy.”

Kayla Hancock, Director of Power and Influence

Profiled Organizations Include:

  • DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund: Gave $71,165,317 to groups that filed amicus briefs in support of the independent state legislature theory.  
  • Rockbridge Network: The network budgeted $8 million in 2021 to build a “new conservative ecosystem” replete with a rapid response unit, influencer programs, polling, and other media projects “for cultural influence and renewal.” 
  • The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation and Bradley Impact Fund: Gave $6,605,353 to groups that filed amicus briefs in support of the independent state legislature theory. 
  • America First Works: Gave $4,795,000 to groups that filed amicus briefs in support of the independent state legislature theory. 
  • American Action Network: Spent at least $47.1 million through the end of October 2022 to influence the midterm elections in the 2022 cycle and sent $38.1 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund.
  • Sarah Scaife Foundation: Gave $3,625,000 to groups that filed amicus briefs in support of the independent state legislature theory.
  • Searle Freedom Trust: Gave $2,090,000 to groups that filed amicus briefs in support of the independent state legislature theory. 
  • Thomas W. Smith Foundation: Gave $825,000 to groups that filed amicus briefs in support of the independent state legislature theory. 
  • Ed Uihlein Family Foundation: which gave $200,000 to groups that filed amicus briefs in support of the independent state legislature theory. 
  • Mercer Family Foundation: The Mercer Family Foundation is a major funder of climate denial organizations. In 2016 alone, the foundation contributed nearly $4 million to climate misinformation groups. 
  • One Nation: The group spent millions of dollars on television and radio ads in 2021 and 2022, including ads attacking legislation protecting and expanding voting rights. 
  • Barbara & Barre Seid Foundation: The foundation has spent millions of dollars supporting organizations amplifying xenophobic and islamophobic rhetoric, and climate denial.
back to top