A comprehensive report by the advocacy group Americans for Public Trust (APT) alleges that nearly $2 billion has been funneled into U.S. leftist nonprofits by five foreign charities. These funds are said to support a radical policy agenda, affecting various American institutions and fueling anti-Trump activism. The findings, based on IRS Form 990s and media reports, raise concerns about the influence of foreign money on U.S. democracy.
The 31-page report outlines how these foreign organizations are allegedly exploiting loopholes in U.S. laws governing political donations. While direct contributions to political candidates from foreign nationals are prohibited, APT argues that these charities can still significantly impact U.S. policy through their financial backing of nonprofit organizations.
The report emphasizes that this influx of foreign funds may threaten U.S. sovereignty. Caitlin Sutherland, APT’s Executive Director, commented on the findings, stating, “Foreign money is coming in, and it’s trying to erode our democracy.”
Key Findings from the Report
The five foreign foundations identified in the report are:
1. **Quadrature Climate Foundation (UK)** – Contributed approximately $530 million to U.S. organizations, such as the ClimateWorks Foundation and the Grantham Foundation.
2. **KR Foundation (Denmark)** – Provided $36 million to 53 U.S. groups advocating for climate litigation and fossil-fuel divestment.
3. **Oak Foundation (Switzerland)** – Donated over $750 million to 152 U.S. groups, including the Environmental Law Institute and the Community Change organization.
4. **Laudes Foundation (Switzerland)** – Allocated $20 million to U.S. entities promoting climate-related initiatives and equity mandates.
5. **Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (UK)** – Funded $553 million to 39 U.S. organizations, with significant contributions to various climate and environmental groups.
APT’s report highlights a disturbing trend where foreign foundations are funding leftist agendas in the U.S., particularly through protests and advocacy campaigns against President Trump and his policies.
Concerns Over Foreign Influence
APT argues that these funding flows exploit gaps in U.S. oversight laws, allowing foreign entities to exert influence through 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. Sutherland noted, “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 organization is calling for policymakers to address these issues through various measures, including closing loopholes in the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and requiring foreign-funded nonprofits to disclose their sources of funding.
Sutherland further warned about the implications of foreign funding, particularly regarding a group called Community Change, which reportedly has been active against President Trump’s law enforcement policies. She stated, “It seems clear to me that this foreign money is coming into the United States because they want to implement their extremist European vision for America.”
The findings of this report serve as a wake-up call for U.S. lawmakers about the potential ramifications of unchecked foreign philanthropy on American democracy.
APT’s research underscores a broader concern regarding the global flow of capital and the implications it has for national policy. As more foreign entities engage in funding American nonprofits, the potential for a coordinated effort to influence U.S. politics becomes increasingly evident.
