Turning Point USA

Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is a right-wing 501(c)(3) organization, with a mission to "build the most organized, active, and powerful conservative grassroots activist network on high school and college campuses across the country." The group funnels money to right-wing candidates for student government at universities across the country and has faced numerous allegations of racial discrimination. TPUSA is funded by a variety of right-wing mega-donors, including the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Ed Uihlein Family Foundation, Foster Friess, Michael Leven and various Koch brothers-affiliated groups, such as the Foundation for Economic Education, DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund.

TPUSA was founded by the late Bill Montgomery and Charlie Kirk in 2012. It claims to be the "largest and fastest growing youth organization in America" with "a presence on over 3,500 college campuses and high schools across the country."

TPUSA’s sister 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, Turning Point Action, was established in 2019. Two years later, TPUSA launched Turning Point Faith in 2021 to “address America’s crumbling religious foundation by engaging thousands of pastors nationwide” in order to “breathe renewed civic engagement into our churches,” according to a prospectus obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD). In 2022, Turning Point Action created a federal political action committee, Turning Point PAC.

News and Controversies

Turning Point Action Coordinates with Trump Campaign in "Chase the Vote" Effort

In spring of 2024, Turning Point Action announced a plan to raise more than $100 million to harvest early votes in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Dubbed "Chase the Vote," the goal of the voter outreach initiative is to connect with and mobilize Republican-leaning low propensity voters, meaning those who have not voted in the past two elections.

The specific focus of Chase the Vote is to encourage early and mail-in voting, methods that were widely disparaged and rejected by the GOP in 2020. Partner organizations supporting the effort include Early Vote Action, Tea Party Patriots Action, America First Works, Run GenZ, Moms for America, Community Action Network, and College Republicans of America.

Notably, Turning Point Action is working “in direct coordination” with the Trump campaign on Chase the Vote, a relationship confirmed by Kirk during an interview in July. Organizations like Turning Point Action are not allowed to coordinate their “independent” activities or messages with political campaigns. However, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) released an advisory opinion in March clarifying that since “canvassing literature and scripts are not public communications, or coordinated expenditures,” they are legal for the PAC to deliver.

Wealthy White Conservative Backing of Candace Owens' "Blexit" Operation

In October 2018, Candace Owens announced the launch of the Blexit Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that she claimed would lead to "the Black exit from permanent victimhood, the Black exit from the false idea that we are somehow separate from the rest of America." The foundation, which also asserts itself to be the "largest minority grassroots movement in the county," is "powered" by TPUSA.

However, much of the foundation's support has come from wealthy, white conservative backers, as well as various donor-advised funds. An analysis by the OptOut Media Foundation and Exposed by CMD identified the following funders of the Blexit Foundation:

• Bradley Impact Fund: $10,000 (2021)
• Center of the American Experiment: $50,000 (2020)
• Deason Foundation: $190,000 (2020)
• Dunn Foundation: $500,000 (2019-2020)
• Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund: $317,000 (2020-2021)
• GoGo Foundation: $20,000 (2020)
• Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Foundation: $250,000 (2020)
• Maston Family Foundation: $10,000 (2020)
• National Christian Foundation: $440,000 (2019-2021)
• Schwab Charitable Fund: $50,000 (2019-2021)
• Thomas W. Smith Foundation: $100,000 (2020)
• Willis and Reba Johnson Foundation: $100,000 (2020)

Neo-Nazis Gather outside TPUSA Student Action Summit

A neo-Nazi protest gathered outside the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa Bay, Florida where the TPUSA Student Action Summit was being held and former president Donald Trump would be speaking. The group carried Nazi flags, swastikas, and antisemitic caricatures. When The View host Whoopi Goldberg called TPUSA out, linking them to the protest, they retaliated with a #SueTheView social media campaign, threatening to sue The View unless Goldberg retracted her comments. While, co-host Sarah Haines read a statement clarifying that TPUSA "had nothing to do" with the protest, TPUSA issued a cease and desist letter to Goldberg, who then apologized on-air.

Misogyny at TPUSA Annual Student Action Summit

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz delivered a speech at TPUSA's annual Student Action Summit in Tampa Bay, Florida, in which he said, "Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions? Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb." He then went on to state that pro-choice women are all overweight and physically incapable of marching in protest due to "ankles weaker than the legal reasoning behind Roe v. Wade".

Also at this event, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz mocked the phrase "people with the capacity for pregnancy", saying, "trigger warning, women exist." He then made light of gender identity, telling the audience, "I'm Ted Cruz and my pronoun is kiss my ass".

TPUSA under Fire for Political Activity in Arizona Gubernatorial Race

Public Integrity Alliance president Tyler Montague wrote a letter to TPUSA CEO Charlie Kirk calling TPUSA out for running paid Google ads supporting Arizona Governor Republican candidate Kari Lake and inviting her to speak at TPUSA events. American Bridge 21st Century, a Democratic super PAC, filed an IRS complaint against TPUSA for violating its tax-exempt status, which requires they abstain from political activity. TPUSA has also coordinated efforts with Arizona Rep. Jake Hoffman, who was banned from Facebook in 2020 for using his firm, Rally Forge, to pay teenagers to post supportive comments about Donald Trump across both Facebook and Instagram. The "troll farm" operative cost Hoffman and many of his employees their personal Instagram and Facebook pages, and Hoffman was additionally banned from Twitter. Hoffman rebranded Rally Forge as 1TEN, which produced ads for TPUSA and its sister organizations, Turning Point Action and Students for Trump. Hoffman himself is a former TPUSA employee.

TPUSA Co-Launches Center for Legal Equality

TPUSA joined forces with the Conservative Partnership Institute and America First Legal in creating the Center for Legal equality, which serves to "identify and defend victims of the Left's equity racket." In an email announcing the new project, CPI Chair Jim DeMint wrote, "AFL is going to sue them, depose them, expose then, and bankrupt every organization that continues this racist, sexist, unconstitutional, illegal discrimination. They will drag liberal elites kicking and screaming into court and then into compliance with the law."

TPUSA Partners with the Conservative Partnership Institute in 'Staff the Hill' Initiative

TPUSA launched a project called "Staff the Hill", in which they vet and certify young conservatives looking for jobs on Capitol Hill. Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) partnered with Turning Point USA for this project, giving graduates of the program CPI's "Seal of Approval" to add to their resumes, "to instantly signal to conservative offices in the House and Senate that they have what it takes to fight, lead, and win".

TPUSA Hosts 'AmericaFest' for Young Conservative Influencers

Advertised to be "the biggest patriot's party ever", TPUSA's final student convention of 2021 was hosted in Phoenix, Arizona's Monarch Theater. The convention, which featured guest speakers such as Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and other frequent guests on Fox News, underscored TPUSA's shift in tactic to focus on building up their army of conservative influencers rather than push a conservative agenda themselves. Two days before the conference, TPUSA student ambassadors were invited to an "influencer retreat" in which they were taught how to be more effective conservative content creators. A slide from this presentation read, "NO RACISM! NO BIGOTRY! PROVOCATIVE BUT MAINSTREAM!" The Verge reports.

TPUSA Announces Plan to 'Win America's Culture War'

A 2021 investor prospectus detailed TPUSA's seven-fold plan to "win the American Culture War and to inspire our kids [to] love America again". The organization was hoping to raise $43 million for the initiative, which would center around high school and college campuses. The document writes, "Schools in this country have become intolerant and nihilistic dens of anti-American hate as Leftist professors slander our country with impunity and radical mobs shut down conservative speech entirely." The seven core programs the initiative sought to fund through the campaign for $43 million were the national field program, events, media, productions, special projects, Turning Point Academy, and Turning Point Faith.

Organizing Member of #StopTheSteal Protests and "March to Save America" Rally That Led to Violent, Pro-Trump Storming of U.S. Capitol

TPUSA's co-founder and executive director, Charlie Kirk, was listed as a leader of an Arizona #StopTheSteal protest alleging voter fraud following the 2020 presidential election.

Turning Point Action, TPUSA's 501(c)(4) affiliate, was listed as a coalition partner on the "March to Save America" website. On January 4, 2021, Kirk tweeted: "This historic event will likely be one of the largest and most consequential in American history[.] The team at @TrumpStudents & Turning Point Action are honored to help make this happen, sending 80+ buses full of patriots to DC to fight for this president"

On January 6, 2021, the "March to Save America" rally led to a violent insurrection by thousands of Trump supporters attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Members of the pro-Trump mob overwhelmed Capitol police, entering the building and forcing Congress to evacuate the chambers and go into lockdown.

One Trump supporter who entered the Capitol was shot and killed by police, one Capitol police officer died from injuries sustained from the event, and three Trump supporters died during the event from medical issues.

Partnership with ALEC to Promote Conservative Student Regents at Academic Institutions

In December 2020, TPUSA partnered with the American Legislative Exchange Council, planning to increase the appointments of conservative student regents. ALEC called for TPUSA's assistance in recruiting and vetting “ideologically sound” regents candidates as well as providing “legislative recommendations, committee testimony, & grassroots support to secure legislative action.”

Colton L. Buckley, TPUSA's Director of Student Regent & Trustee Engagement, said during the training that increasing conservative student regent appointments could "save our institutions and bring them back from the brink of lunacy and socialism". Also during the training, ALEC’s development manager Giovanni Triana said ALEC’s board had developed a pilot "mentorship/partnership program" with TPUSA’s board and student leaders, which it hoped to expand to all the group's members in 2021.

TPUSA-Linked Social Media Accounts Deleted Following Pro-Trump Misinformation Campaign

In September 2020, Twitter and Facebook shut down accounts linked to TPUSA after multiple misleading and inaccurate posts alleging intentionally inflated coronavirus numbers and mail-in ballots leading to fraud in the 2020 presidential election. This pro-Trump social media campaign "functioned like a troll farm but had evaded disruption because it was carried out by humans who used their own accounts without disclosing that they were posting on behalf of Turning Point Action."

TPUSA Deletes Tweet Mocking Mask-Wearing After Cofounder Dies of Coronavirus

On July 28, 2020, TPUSA's Twitter account posted a since-deleted meme of actor Nicholas Cage smiling with the text, "Me not wearing a mask while a leftist screams at me from their car from across the parking lot at Whole Foods".

On the following day, TPUSA cofounder Bill Montgomery died of the coronavirus.

As Business Insider reported, "[TPUSA], established by Kirk and Montgomery in 2012, has criticized public-safety measures designed to slow the spread of the disease, such as wearing masks." The piece, however, also mentioned: "Kirk has said that people at a higher risk of developing a severe case, such as older people and those with underlying health conditions, should self-isolate... In a March opinion column for Fox News, he said young people not observing coronavirus protective measures were 'endangering an entire society.'"

TPUSA's Kirk Urges Recording of Professors

Exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to further TPUSA's campaign against "leftist professors," Charlie Kirk urged students to secretly record classes that adapted to an online format. In March of 2020, Kirk tweeted "now is the time to document & expose the radicalism that has been infecting our schools. Transparency!” Kirk's tweet joins a TPUSA tradition of targeting professors, including the website Professor Watchlist, which launched in 2016.

Kirk's antics amid the pandemic received backlash from Charles Koch Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy Charlie Ruger. Ruger denounced "inciting harassment against scholars" in a statement condemning TPUSA, despite the Koch political network offering significant support to TPUSA.

TPUSA's Former "High-School Outreach Director" Use of "Racial Slurs and Hate Speech"

Kyle Kashuv was named TPUSA's high-school outreach director by the organization's founder, Charlie Kirk. Kashuv is a survivor of the Parkland massacre and student activist, but unlike many of his classmates who gained national attention after the early 2018 shooting, "Kashuv is a fierce right-winger and an opponent of gun control." Kirk introduced Kashuv at an event stating "this young man is truly extraordinary."

A New Yorker article states that Kashuv's classmate says Kashuv is "a bigot." The evidence presented for that claim is that Kashuv "used the N-word frequently," ranked women's attractiveness by race, and referenced his "Jewish slaves.”

After a classmate posted on Twitter about Kashuv's conduct, he resigned from Turning Point but did not apologize. According to The New Yorker a Turning Point spokesperson called Kashuv’s comments “unacceptable” and "un-American" while Kashuv declined to comment.

Inviting a White Nationalist to Iowa State University

According to the Des Moines Register, Turning Point USA "claims partial responsibility" for inviting Nick Fuentes to speak at Iowa State University. Fuentes is described as a "conservative activist and white nationalist speaker," who attended the infamous Charlottesville "Unite the Right" rally where Nazi and white supremacist violence towards counter-protesters ultimately resulted in the death of a woman and 19 injuries. Fuentes is known for his YouTube videos, "America First with Nick Fuentes," where he opines on "the failure of multiculturalism", immigration and "his anger about what he said has been the marginalization of white people." At Iowa State University, Fuentes spoke about similar topics to that on his Youtube channel, "immigration and reportedly spoke of preserving the "European texture" of the United States while taking jabs at the intelligence, civilization and self-control of various marginalized groups."

The student listed as the leader of Turning Point USA's Iowa State University chapter told the Des Moines Register she was "planning on stepping down as president and disaffiliating myself with the organization as a whole," after Fuentes speech.

University of Nevada Las Vegas chapter President Ousted for Racist Remarks

A viral video surfaced of a man identified as TPUSA's former University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) chapter president using racial epithets and exclaiming "white power" while hugging another individual who shouts “we’re going to rule the country” and alongside other racist remarks. TPUSA issued a statement: “As soon as the video in question came to the attention of Turning Point USA staff, we swiftly and permanently removed the student from any current or future involvement with our organization. His comments were abhorrent, un-American, and disqualifying.” The Daily Beast characterized the video as "members of [TPUSA's] Las Vegas chapter shouting 'White power! Fuck the n-----s!'" however, TPUSA only mentions one person being dissociated from the organization. According to It's Going Down an anarchist news website which first widely publicised the video on Twitter, documentation shows the former TPUSA UNLV president "making the Alt-Right hand sign, a sign which Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk has also been photographed making, along with a variety of neo-Nazi, Alt-right, and white nationalist leaders" at a previous UNLV TPUSA event.

Candance Owens's departure

The Daily Beast reported in early May 2019 that Candance Owens was leaving her role as communications director at TPUSA. The departure followed Owen's comments at an event in December of 2018 in London where Owens said that "Hitler was an “OK” leader until he tried to take his message global." Turning Point USA declined to comment on Owens’s remarks and referred reporters to Owens herself who equated Hitler with the publication the reporter worked for "“My final comment is that Hitler was the scum of the earth [...] As is the publication you write for."” Several TPUSA campus chapters signed a letter calling on Owens to resign following remarks.

Owens's departure also follows the mention of her as "the person that has influenced me above all" in the alleged manifesto of the person who claimed to be the shooter who killed around 50 people in a massacre at two mosques in New Zealand. Owens responded to the mentioning of her name being reported stating "any insinuation that black conservatism in the United States has somehow inspired radical Islamophobic white supremacy terror overseas is pointedly absurd."

Professor Watchlist

Turning Point USA maintains Professor Watchlist, a directory of university professors across America who have been flagged by the right-wing group for supposedly promoting liberal biased viewpoints. Students are invited to "submit a tip" about professors they feel should be included in the list. Professor Watchlist currently contains several hundred professor entries with descriptions of their "liberal" statements and views.

The site has drawn intense criticism, even from fellow right-wing advocates and donors in the Koch network. Sarah Ruger, the director of Free Speech Initiatives for the Charles Koch Institute said, “It’s truly McCarthyism 2.0. It’s a platform that exists to put the names and the profiles of self-identified progressive professors out there and encourages conservative students to intimidate them. … If there’s anything political tribes can agree on today, it’s that they all want to censor someone. They just disagree on who should be silenced. That’s entirely antithetical to who we are."

Allegation of Racial Bias

Jane Mayer reported obtaining screenshots of messages sent by Crystal Clanton, who served until the summer of 2016 as Turning Point USA's National Field Director. One message sent to another Turning Point employee stated, “i hate black people. Like f*** them all . . . I hate blacks. End of story.” Clanton denied any knowledge of the text message. Founder Charlie Kirk had previously praised Clanton, proclaiming her as “the best hire we ever could have made” and called her “integral to the success of Turning Point while effectively serving as its chief operating officer.”

Gabrielle Fequiere, a former field director claimed she was the only African-America employee of Turning Point USA at the time. She recalls of her experience working with the group, “in looking back, I think it was racist.” She also mentioned a tendency for minority staff to be excluded from workplace events and official functions.

Attacks on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Appearing on "Fox & Friends," Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk railed against the newly elected New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Kirk criticized the ideology of democratic socialism which Ocasio-Cortez promotes. He stated, "This is what is so scary is that Ocasio-Cortez pretends to be the fighter for the people. Yet she represents an ideology that has destroyed cultures and destroyed civilizations and destroyed countries over the last 100 years. Of course, we're talking about democratic socialism, or just socialism in general, and Pelosi is bought and paid for by a lot of special interests. But Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fights for ideology that's even more harmful than those special interests."

Comparison of Hillary Clinton to Herpes

On November 22, 2018, Turning Point USA's Director of Spanish Engagement, Anna Paulina, appeared on Fox News and made inappropriate comments about former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During a conversation with Fox News host Rick Leventhal and Democratic strategist Doug Schoen, Leventhal stated, “I am amazed that with everything going on in the world, we still have Hillary Clinton in the headlines.” At that point, Paulina interjected, "She won’t go away. She’s like herpes." At that point, Leventhal cut off the conversation, stating "Okay, that’s news that we are breaking here” and called Paulina's language “not appropriate."

Paulina later apologized on Twitter but continued her attack on Clinton, stating "Yesterday on Fox I was placed on the wrong segment & in the confusion made a brash and unprofessional joke. To Fox and those watching, I am deeply sorry. My feeling simply is that Big Government creates dynasties like the Clintons that won’t go away & Americans are over it."

Dark Money for Right-Wing Student Government Candidates

A report by the Chronicle of Higher Education detailed what it called Turning Point USA's “stealth plan for political influence.” The report alleges that the organization funneled money to certain candidates for student government in violation of the administrative rules of various schools across the country.

The report was in line with Turning Point USA's "Campus Victory Project", which sought to “commandeer the top office of Student Body President at each of the most recognizable and influential American Universities.” Once Turning Point USA allies controlled student government, the group would influence the student office holders to fulfill a political agenda. That agenda would include defunding progressive student organizations, removing bans on campus hate speech, and blocking a school from adopting a Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement against Israel.

Illegal Support for Political Campaigns

According to Jane Mayer of the New Yorker, "the group may have skirted campaign-finance laws that bar charitable organizations from participating in political activity." Former employees of Turning Point USA reported being directed to work with political operatives, such as Virginia Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, in support of Republican political candidates. For example, Thomas instructed Turning Point USA staff to distribute placards for Ted Cruz during the Wisconsin primary. E-mails obtained by the New Yorker also demonstrated that a Ted Cruz Super PAC asked Kirk to send “as many kids as possible” to canvass in South Carolina in support of the presidential candidate. Other former employees claim that lists of student supporters were passed to the Marco Rubio presidential campaign.

Commenting on the allegations against Turning Point USA's involvement supporting political candidates, former FEC Commissioner Trevor Potter stated, "If what Turning Point USA was doing was helping Republicans on campus and feeding them to campaigns, that’s a political operation, and it sounds as if it crosses the line."

Ties to the Fossil Fuel Industry

Charlie Kirk has engaged in fundraising at closed-door meetings of the National Mining Association and the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Turning Point USA has also written numerous publications and organized student activities in support of the fossil fuel industry. One such publication was titled, "10 Ways Fossil Fuels Improve Our Daily Lives."

Ties to the Trump Family

Charlie Kirk established ties to the Trump Family while speaking at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Kirk claims that he "hit it off" with Donald Trump Jr. at the convention. He then served as a youth outreach specialist for the Trump campaign. After the election of President Trump in November 2016, both Donald Trump, Jr. and Lara Trump, the wife of Don, Jr.,’s brother Eric have become involved in Turning Point USA activities. They have spoken at rallies and appeared in promotional materials.

In November 18, President Trump retweeted a statement from Charlie Kirk in which he implied that Hillary Clinton stated all black people look alike when making a joke during an interview. The tweet read, "WOW - if a conservative said this they would be boycotted and not allowed back in the public arena — Hillary said “all black people look the same” - incredibly racist thing to say Hillary! RT!"

Involvement with Kanye West

In October 2018, musician Kanye West made headlines when he called African slavery in America a choice, called to abolish the 13th Amendment and publically praised Donald Trump. At the same time, West developed a close relationship with Turning Point USA spokeswoman Candace Owens. Owens was responsible for developing a campaign titled "Blexit" which called for African-Americans to leave the Democratic Party. Kanye West reportedly created a logo for the Blexit campaign. Regarding West's involvement, Owens stated, "Blexit is a renaissance and I am blessed to say that this logo, these colors, were created by my dear friend and fellow superhero Kanye West.”

But after being met with widespread criticism, including derision and mockery on television comedy programs, West distanced himself from politics and Turning Point USA. On October 31, 2018, West tweeted that he did not design the Blexit logo and did not want further involvement with the campaign. Numerous right-wing activists and pundits, such as Lucian Wintrich and Tomi Lahren, blamed Owens and Turning Point USA for driving West away from supporting President Trump, depriving the far-right of their most high-profile celebrity backer.

Ties to the Koch Brothers

The Koch Network and TPUSA have shared rotating staff. Abbey Wigton, a former Americans for Prosperity field director, currently works as a field director for TPUSA. The former Florida State director at TPUSA is now a grassroots engagement director at Americans for Prosperity.

In 2017, TPUSA co-sponsored a "campus free speech" panel with The Fund for American Studies and Center to Protect Free Speech, a project of American Legislative Exchange Council. The director of the Center to Protect Free Speech Shelbey Emmet spoke on the panel. Emmet now works as the director of free speech initiatives at Koch’s Stand Together nonprofit.

Koch Wiki

Charles Koch is the right-wing billionaire owner of Koch Industries. As one of the richest people in the world, he is a key funder of the right-wing infrastructure, including the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the State Policy Network (SPN). In SourceWatch, key articles on Charles Koch and his late brother David include: Koch Brothers, Americans for Prosperity, Stand Together Chamber of Commerce, Stand Together, Koch Family Foundations, Koch Universities, and I360.

Ties to American Legislative Exchange Council

Turning Point USA's National Enterprise Director Nick VandenNieuwenhof led a panel at ALEC's 2020 Annual Meeting titled, "Untapped Potential: Speaking to the Next Generation of Voters."

At the end of 2020, ALEC entered into a partnership with TPUSA to position more conservative students on university boards of regents. The new partnership was announced in an email acquired through an open records request by CMD and highlighted a training session that would be available at the December 2020 ALEC States and National Policy Summit. The session, called "How to Save America with Student Regents: What They Are, Why They Matter, How You Can Help" was led by TPUSA Director of Student Regent and Trustee Engagement Colton L. Buckley.

About ALEC

ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve “model” bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's ALECexposed.org, and check out breaking news on our ExposedbyCMD.org site.

Ties to the Council for National Policy

TPUSA's founder and President Charlie Kirk and Senior Director of Major Gifts Joshua C. Thifault are CNP members.

Council for National Policy

The Council for National Policy (CNP) is a secretive, Christian Right organization of funders and activists founded in 1981 by activist Morton Blackwell, commentator Paul Weyrich, direct-mail pioneer Richard Viguerie, right-wing activist Phyllis Schlafly and Left Behind author Tim LaHaye. Anne Nelson's book about CNP, Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right, describes how the organization connects "the manpower and media of the Christian right with the finances of Western plutocrats and the strategy of right-wing Republican political operatives.” CNP membership as of September 2020 is available here.

Funding

Turning Point USA is not required to disclose its funders, but a review of IRS filings (unless otherwise noted) shows the following have donated to TPUSA:

• Abstraction Fund: $52,000 (2015-2018)
• Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation: $10,000 (2015)
• Alfred E Mann Family Foundation: $5,000 (2019)
• Allie and Lee Hanley.
• A.L. Williams Jr. Family Foundation: $25,000 (2015-2016)
• Alice Busch Gronewaldt Foundation: $90,000 (2015-2019)
• Alice Kleberg Reynolds Meyer Foundation: $28,000 (2018-2019)
• American Endowment Foundation: $94,750 (2016-2017)
• American Online Giving Foundation: $7,099 (2019)
• Apgar Foundation: $20,000 (2017)
• Arthur N Hershaft Foundation: $1,000 (2020)
• B Stephen Schloss Foundation: $17,000 (2014-2020)
• Bailey Family Foundation: $13,000 (2017-2020)
• Balance for Freedom: $301,684 (2018)
• Baker Foundation: $2,500 (2019)
• Balance for Freedom: $301,684 (2018)
• Barnabas Foundation: $5,000 (2017)
• Bradley Impact Fund: $363,750 (2014-2019)
• Brian M and Erin T Kelly Foundation: $20,000 (2018-2019)
• Buckeye Foundation: $1,077,500
• Buntrock Foundation for Leadership: $100,000 (2019)
• Cabela Family Foundation: $25,000 (2020)
• California Community Foundation: $100,000 (2019)
• Center of the American Experiment: $200,000 (2018-2019)
• Charles and Ann Johnson Foundation: $10,000 (2015)
• Charles D & Frances K Field Fund: $45,000 (2016-2019)
• Chase Foundation of Virginia: $22,000 (2018-2019)
• Chiavacci Family Foundation: $35,000 (2015-2019)
• Christian Charities Foundation: $1,200 (2020)
• Christian Community Foundation: $30,000 (2019)
• Community Foundation Donor Directed Fund: $8,500 (2017)
• Community Foundation of Jackson Hole: $6,000 (2019)
• Community Foundation of North Texas: $1,000 (2019)
• Conru Foundation: $25,000 (2019)
• Cooper Family Charitable Foundation: $40,000 (2019)
• Cornell University Foundation: $10,000 (2019)
• David and Janet Polak Foundation: $50,000 (2015-2018)
• David D Smith Family Foundation: $150,000 (2016-2017)
• Dean and Cam Williams Foundation: $2,000 (2016-2017)
• Deason Foundation: $770,000 (2016-2019)
• Deborah J and Peter A Magowan Family Foundation: $410,000 (2019-2020)
• Dennis Prager, CEO of digital media organization PragerU.
• Diana Davis Spencer Foundation: $750,000 (2016-2019)
• Donors Capital Fund: $100,000 (2016)
• DonorsTrust: $2,096,850 (2017-2020)
• Dorothy Zeman Family Foundation: $65,000 (2016)
• Doug Deason.
• Dr. Edward S Orzac Foundation: $4,500 (2019-2020)
• Dunn Foundation: $3,399,000 (2014-2022)
• Ed Uihlein Family Foundation: $1,550,000 (2014-2021)
• Edwards Foundation: $110,000 (2018-2019)
• Einhorn Family Foundation: $120,000 (2015-2018)
• Emerson Family Foundation: $100,000 (2015)
• Eric Javits Family Foundation: $7,500 (2015-2019)
• Eyas Foundation: $14,500 (2014-2018)
• Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund: $363,330 (2015-2018)
• Fifth C Foundation: $1,500 (2019-2020)
• Floyd Foundation: $20,000 (2014-2019)
• Foglia Family Foundation: $485,000 (2014-2018)
• Foster Friess, Wyoming-based investment manager.
• Foundation for Individual Liberty: $25,000 (2016-2018)
• Gary Rabine, an Illinois-based roofing and paving CEO
• Gardner Grout Foundation: $40,000 (2019-2020)
• Garvey Kansas Foundation: $1,200 (2018-2019)
• Geo Group Foundation: $75,000 (2017-2018)
• George and Reva Graziadio Foundation: $30,000 (2015-2019)
• Gillian S Fuller Foundation: $25,000 (2015-2019)
• Gogo Foundation: $75,000 (2016-2020)
• Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund: $125,000 (2019)
• Greater Houston Community Foundation: $105,000 (2019)
• Greater New Orleans Foundation: $101,000 (2019)
• Greg Gianforte, Montana congressman known for assaulting a reporter.
• Guetz Foundation: $10,000 (2018)
• Hamlin Family Foundation: $20,000 (2015-2017)
• Haugh Family Charitable: $2,000 (2018)
• Helen Diller Family Foundation: $50,000 (2016-2017)
• Hertog Foundation: $10,000
• Hispanic Leadership Alliance of Texas: $10,000 (2019)
• Hutchinson Family Foundation: $33,000 (2017-2019)
• Indian River Community Foundation: $10,000 (2019)
• Inman Foundation: $5,000 (2018)
• Irving I Moskowitz Foundation: $50,000 (2018-2019)
• It Takes a Family Foundation: $25,000 (2019)
• Jack Miller Family Foundation: $22,500 (2015-2018)
• Jack Roeser.
• Jack Roth Charitable Foundation: $970,000 (2018-2019)
• Jack Taylor Family Foundation: $1,000 (2020)
• Jackson Howard Foundation: $25,000 (2019)
• Jewish Communal Fund: $54,051 (2017-2018)
• Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties: $65,000 (2016-2018)
• Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego: $37,000 (2015-2019)
• JM Foundation: $20,000 (2016-2017)
• John and Diane Chachas Family Foundation: $15,000 (2018)
• John G. Martin Foundation: $1,000 (2020)
• John J. Burke Family Foundation: $1,500 (2016)
• Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation: $2,400 (2015-2018)
• Kemmerer Family Foundation: $20,000 (2018-2019)
• Kercheville Foundation: $1,000
• Kevin and Mary Grace Burke Family Foundation: $4,000 (2016-2020)
• Klein Tools, Inc. Charitable Foundation: $10,000 (2019)
• Kleinschmidt Family Foundation: $14,900 (2018-2020)
• Kurt Feuerman Foundation: $20,000 (2019)
• Laba Foundation: $1,000 (2020)
• Landmark Charitable Foundation: $1,000 (2015)
• Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Foundation: $1,125,000 (2018-2020)
• Lavern T. Busse & Audrey Busse Foundation: $13,000 (2020)
• Lawrence and Sandra Post Family Foundation: $33,000 (2015-2016)
• Lazof Family Foundation: $7,500 (2017-2018)
• Leadership Institute: $42,225 (2019)
• Lewis Family Charitable Foundation: $175,000 (2018-2019)
• Lincoln Club Institute: $20,000 (2018)
• Lindholm Foundation: $15,300 (2017-2019)
• Logos Charitable Fund: $2,000 (2014-2015)
• Luddy Charitable Foundation: $5,000 (2017)
• Luke and Becky Corbett Foundation: $1,000 (2016)
• Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation: $120,000 (2015-2019)
• Marcus Foundation: $2,072,600 (2015-2019)
• Mary H. Cain Foundation: $15,000 (2018)
• Melchizedek Foundation: $10,000 (2018-2019)
• Michael and Andrea Levin Family Foundation: $891,350 (2015-2019)
• Micron Industries Charitable Foundation: $50,00 (2014-2018)
• Mike Levin, adviser and former CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation: $50,000 in 2015.
• Mike Miller: $50,000 (2014)
• Milstein Family Foundation: $3,300 (2017-2018)
• Mitchell Foundation: $620,000 (2016-2017)
• Morrison Family Foundation: $5,000 (2020)
• MZ Foundation: $535,668 (2016-2019)
• Nagel Foundation: $10,000 (2019-2020)
• National Center for Housing Management: $235,000 (2015-2016)
• National Christian Foundation: $1,332,610 (2015-2019)
• National Philanthropic Trust: $545,300 (2016-2019)
• Nextgen Foundation Chartiable Trust: $100,000 (2015-2019)
• Oberweis Foundation: $2,000 (2019-2020)
• Offerdahl Family Foundation: $1,000 (2020)
• Orange County Community Foundation: $20,000 (2016-2018)
• Oshay Family Foundation: $1,000 (2019)
• Peter and Ann Lambertus Family Foundation: $20,000 (2019)
• Peter Huizenga: $50,000 (2014)
• Petet Family Foundation: $35,000 (2018)
• Philanthropy International: $40,000 (2017-2018)
• Poarch Family Foundation: $1,000 (2019)
• R. Keith Cullinan Family: $2,000 (2020)
• Randall Dik J. and Carolyn L. Foundation: $56,611 (2020)
• Randolph Foundation: $20,000 (2015)
• Rauner Family Foundation: $150,000 (2014-2015)
• Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund: $25,350 (2019)
• Richard and Barbara Gaby Foundation: $25,000 (2017-2019)
• Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation: $10,000 (2015)
• Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation: $1,000 (2018)
• Robert A. Waller Foundation: $1,000 (2020)
• Robert and Ann Kennedy Family Foundation: $14,500 (2014-2019)
• Robert and Carole Julian Foundation: $4,000 (2018-2019)
• Robert P. Rotella Foundation: $25,000 (2016-2019)
• Robertson-Finley Foundation: $4,000 (2018-2019)
• Roger and Susan Stone Foundation: $90,000 (2015-2019)
• Schwab Charitable: $2,161,475 (2014-2019)
• Servant Foundation: $11,000 (2019)
• Shoemate Foundation: $2,000 (2019)
• Snider Foundation: $50,000 (2017)
• Sparks Foundation: $50,000 (2019)
• Spogli Family Foundation: $2,000 (2019)
• Stephen F. and Camilla T. Brauer Charitable Trust: $10,000 (2020)
• Steven G. Mihaylo Foundation: $37,000 (2018-2020)
• Stuart Charitable Foundation: $2,000 (2019)
• Sunshine Foundation Trust: $2,000 (2018)
• Susan and Rip McIntosh Foundation: $250,000 (2016-2020)
• The 85 Fund: $2,750,000 (2020)
• Thomas W. Smith Foundation/TWS Foundation: $500,000 (2015-2019)
• Tom Patrick.
• Tracking Foundation: $1,200,000 (2017-2019)
• Troesh Family Foundation: $20,000 (2018-2019)
• Vanguard Charitable: $1,490,000 (2015-2018)
• Vernon K. Krieble Foundation: $70,000 (2016-2018)
• Viento Dios Family Foundation: $15,000 (2017-2019)
• Walter F. Wallace Jr. Memorial Foundation: $5,000 (2018)
• Weatherby Foundation International: $50,000 (2019)
• Weintraub Family Foundation: $72,000 (2019)
• William S. Knight Foundation: $150,000 (2017-2018)
• William and Hope Simpson Foundation: $50,000 (2015-2019)
• Wodecroft Foundation: $8,000 (2015)
• Woodford Foundation for Limited Government: $1,000 (2016)
• Woodward Foundation: $2,000 (2018-2019)
• Zorich Family Foundation: $20,000 (2015-2017)

Turning Point USA has worked with many organizations as event sponsors. According to Kirk, such sponsors usually contribute $5,000 to $10,000 per event. Event sponsors have included:

• The Heritage Foundation.
• Alliance Defending Freedom.
• Reason Foundation.
• The Foundation for Economic Education.
• National Rifle Association.
• The Job Creators Network.
• The Leadership Institute.
• Generation Opportunity Institute.
• The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

Core Financials

2022

• Total Revenue: $81,721,637
• Total Expenditures: $91,365,452
• Net Assets: $13,915,129

Grants Distributed

• American Conservative Union: $7,500
• America's Turning Point: $4,840,008
• Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $10,000
• National Religious Broadcasters: $15,000
• National School Boards Leadership Council: $10,000
• Pinal County Sheriff's Office: $40,000
• Shadow Warriors Project: $10,000
• Texas Department of Public Safety: $40,000
• The American Cause: $10,000
• Vindex Media: $7,500

2021

• Total Revenue: $80,642,111
• Total Expenditures: $71,855,649
• Net Assets: $23,558,944

Grants Distributed

• American Conservative Union: $20,000
• American Ideas Institute: $10,000
• America's Turning Point: $1,100,000
• Conservative Baptist Network: $50,000
• Daily Caller News Foundation: $7,500
• Turning Point Endowment: $11,000,000

2020

• Total Revenue: $55,792,435
• Total Expenditures: $47,477,291
• Net Assets: $14,802,479

Grants Distributed

• American Conservative Union: $28,000
• Turning Point Endowment: $18,825,000

2019

• Total Revenue: $39,843,289
• Total Expenditures: $38,386,558
• Net Assets: $6,538,672

Grants Distributed

• American Conservative Union: $28,000
• Colorado Christian University: $25,000
• Prager University Foundation: $150,000
• Turning Point Endowment: $16,789,257

2018

• Total Revenue: $28,565,245
• Total Expenditures: $25,006,077
• Net Assets: $4,688,191

Grants Distributed

• Prager University Foundation: $350,000
• The Dark Wire: $15,000
• Turning Point Endowment: $6,943,866

2017

• Total Revenue: $10,822,708
• Total Expenditures: $10,999,821
• Net Assets: $1,129,023

2016

• Total Revenue: $8,288,866
• Total Expenditures: $8,343,094
• Net Assets: $1,313,936

Grants Distributed

• Turning Point Endowment: $1,825,000

2015

• Total Revenue: $4,320,698
• Total Expenditures: $3,874,250
• Net Assets: $1,368,351

2014

• Total Revenue: $2,052,349
• Total Expenditures: $1,358,254
• Net Assets: $921,903

2013

• Total Revenue: $443,859
• Total Expenditures: $242,999
• Net Assets: $227,808

2012

• Total Revenue: $78,809
• Total Expenditures: $51,942
• Net Assets: $26,948

Personnel

Staff

As of September 2024:

Executive

• Charlie Kirk, CEO and Founder
• Justin Streiff, Chief Development and Growth Officer
• Marina Minas, Chief Marketing Officer
• Justin Olson, Chief Financial Officer
• Dr. Hutz Hertzberg, Chief Education Officer
• Dan Flood, Chief Asset Management Officer
• Lauren Toncich, Vice President of Events
• Andrew Sypher, Vice President of Field Operations
• Candace Owens, Chair of BLEXIT

College

• Chris Gaffrey, Enterprise Director
• Richard Mills, Strategic Director
• Josie Mitzel, Administrative Director

High School

• Nick Cocca, Enterprise Director
• Brandon Shubert, Strategic Director
• Annie Alexander, Administrative Director

Faith

• Matt Hay, Creative Director
• Lucas Miles, Senior Strategic Faith Director

Events

• Morgan Bergoon, Strategic Director
• Michelle Todd, Events Administrative Director

Marketing

• Sara Schmachtenberger, Sr. Strategic Marketing Director

Distribution

• Chrissy Pacheco, Strategic Director
• Bryce Paul, Director - Distribution and Logistics

Development

• Stacy Sheridan, Sr. Director Development
• Josh Thifault, Sr. Director of Major Gifts
• John McGovern, Philanthropic Gift Officer
• Julia Bojczuk, Director of Development Strategy
• Leanna White, Sr. Director of Donor Relations

Asset Management

• Jonah Bodmer, Administrative Director
• Bryce Paul, Director - Distribution and Logistics

Frontlines Department

• Kelcy Little, Frontlines Manager

Productions

• Natalie Balderas, Productions Administrative Director
• Marcus Wada, Director of Strategy of Productions

Graphic Design

• Abby Bratlien, TPUSA Merch Store Manager
• Ramon Tangiora, Graphic Design Director

Academy

• Francine Quintero, Director of Communications and Events
• Dr. Hutz Hertzberg, Chief Education Officer
• Jennifer Burns, Directors of Academics
• Scott Polender, Directing of the Turning Point Association

Former Staff

• Tyler Bowyer, COO
• Jake Hoffman, Media and Communications Consultant
• Amy Samuel, Vice President of Administration
• Madisen Selee, High School Administrative Director
• Austin Erickson, Enterprise Director
• Whitney Reynolds, Faith Administrative Director
• Evan Brussel, Media Administrative Director
• Danielle Cracchiolo, Human Capital Strategic Director
• Emma McCausland, Advancement Administrative Director
• Jake Ladin, Advancement Strategic Director, Special Projects

Board of Directors

As of September 2024:

• Charlie Kirk
• David Engelhardt
• Doug DeGroote
• Mike Miller
• Tom Sodeika

Former Board Members

• George Hamstra
• William Montgomery, Secretary and Treasurer

Honorary Board

As of September 2024:

• Ambassador Richard A. Grenell
• Col. Allen West
• Dr. Sebastian Gorka
• Eric Bolling
• Senator Jim DeMint
• Michele Bachmann
• Mike Lindell
• Sara Carter

Former Honorary Board Members

• Foster Friess
• Ken Starr

Advisory Council

As of September 2024, members of the Advisory Council are no longer publicly listed:

Former Advisors

• Jonathan Lusk
• Justin Streiff
• Jeff Giesea
• Jaco Booyens
• Foster Friess
• Andrew S. Borans
• Joel Fischer
• Ginni Thomas
• Anthony Saliba
• Thomas O. Hicks, Jr.
• Jill Kelley
• Adam Andrzejewski
• Elizabeth Ames
• E.W Turk
• John Drogin
• Ryan Bethea
• Jon D. Willis
• Brian Kelly
• Tom Sodeika
• Tom Sleeter
• Chart Westcott
• Willard Helander
• Janis Sleeter
• Sarah Laszloffy
• Jennifer Schubert-Akin
• Scott Martin
• Adam Brandon
• Adam and Gila Milstein
• Al and Lisa Hartman
• Alfredo J. Molina
• Allie Hanley
• Barry Russell
• Bill Scrogins
• Blake Saunders
• Bob McEwen
• Cameron Powell
• Craig Jensen
• Darren Blanton
• David J. Blumberg
• David Duval
• Don Leighton
• Donna Ecton
• Doug Deason
• Doug DeGroote
• Drew Ryun
• Ed Zeman
• Esther Schneider
• Francisco Gonzalez
• Frank N. Tsamoutales
• Gary Rabine
• Gentry Beach
• George Strake, Jr.
• Gil Baumgarten
• Hanley Sayers III
• Jameson G. Campaigne
• Jan Sleeter
• Jeff Hunt
• Jennifer Grossman
• Jim Holden
• John A. Catsimatidis, Jr.
• Joy Fowler Spragens
• Julio Gonzalez
• Karen Wolters
• Kirk Blumm
• Lee and Erin Harris
• Lila Ontiveros
• Liz Hamlin
• Louis Graziadio
• Marc Kruer
• Mark Stitzer
• Mica Mosbacher
• Michael Burstein
• Michael J. Daughtery
• Michele Bachmann
• Mike Leven
• Mike Miller
• Mike Rydin
• Nathan Neugebauer
• Orlando Salazar
• Paul Packer
• Paul Vallely
• Peter Theron
• Rebecca Dunn
• Rip McIntosh
• Robert Rubin
• Roman Buhler
• Sally Wagenmaker
• Scott Studebaker
• Sean Woods
• Stacey Feinberg
• Stephen Bienko
• Stephen Einhorn
• Steve Mariotti
• Steven R. Chealander
• Tamra and Barry Farah
• Teresa Winslow
• Tim Ozinga
• Todd Davis
• Tom Cox
• Ward Baker
• Wayne Newkumet
• William Frech
• William Stephens

Contact Information

Turning Point USA
4940 East Beverly Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85044

EIN: 80-0835023
Phone: (844)-872-1776
Website: tpusa.com
Facebook: Turning Point USA
Twitter: @TPUSA

Articles and Resources

IRS Form 990 Filings

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Application for Tax-Exempt Status

1023

Articles

• David Armiak, Turning Point USA Seeks $43 Million to Escalate the Right’s Culture War in American Schools, ExposedbyCMD, October 25, 2021.
• David Armiak, ALEC Working in Partnership with Turning Point USA, Major Player in Capitol Insurrection, ExposedbyCMD, January 13, 2021.
• Alex Kotch, Koch Foundation Criticizes Turning Point USA Even as Koch Network Funds the Group, ExposedbyCMD, April 1, 2020.
• Joseph Guinto, Trump's Man on Campus, Politico, April 6, 2018.
• Emily Shugerman, Turning Point USA: How one student in a diaper caused an eruption in the conservative youth organization, The Independent, February 26, 2018.
• Rebecca Nelson and National Journal, The 21-Year-Old Becoming a Major Player in Conservative Politics, The Atlantic March 25, 2015.