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'''American Future Fund''' is a 501(c)(4) conservative Koch-tied nonprofit entity largely dedicated to running television and web ads that promote conservative causes and influence elections. Like many (c)(4) groups, the Fund has been very secretive about who controls or manages it. Their AFF was founded in 2008 by Nick Ryan, who worked as an advisor to right-wing former Senator Rick Santorum in the 2012 presidential campaign. He founded the pro-Santorum Super PAC, [[Red White and Blue Fund]]. AFF records indicate that they were incorporated by [[Alex N. Vogel]] and his wife, [[Jill Holtzman Vogel]], who together run the consulting agency [[Holtzman Vogel]]. The first president of the group, Nicole Schlinger, was the former executive director of the Iowa Republican Party. <ref> IRS: , [http://www.scribd.com/doc/53259155/CREW-IRS-Exhibits-in-Complaint-American-Future-Fund-02-01-11 Exhibits in complaint against the American Future Fund], organizational website, February 1st, 2011 .</ref> According to NPR, a large number of AFF's leadership were members of Mitt Romney's 2008 failed campaign for president.<ref> Will Evans: , [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93790064 Profile: American Future Fund] , NPR: Accessed , accessed February 29th, 2012.</ref>

The American Future Fund received $1.1 million from the Koch-tied [[Center to Protect Patient Rights]] in 2011 after getting $1.3 million in 2009 and $11.7 million in 2010. <ref> Viveca Novak, Viveca. [http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2012/12/center-to-protect-patient-rights-ga.html Center to Protect Patient Rights Gave Millions in 2011 to Outside Spenders in Election] , Open Secrets, Accessed 12/17/2012.</ref>

[[Image:JillVogel-300.jpg|thumb|100px|right|Jill Vogel, one of the Co-founders of the American Future Fund]][[Image:alex-vogel.jpg|thumb|100px|leftright|Alex Vogel, one of the Co-founders of the American Future Fund]]{{Template:KochConnection}} ==F.E.C. Fines American Future Fund==The F.E.C. fined the the American Future Fund (AFF) for breaking federal disclosure rules.<ref name="nyt"/> According to the ''New York Times'',:"The F.E.C. found that [[Sean Noble]], a political consultant then working with the Kochs, had closely directed the spending of the grants by the other organizations, even picking the races where ads were to be run. That violated federal rules requiring organizations to identity the source of any money earmarked for a political expenditure, the commission determined."<ref name="nyt"/>  The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, the organization that filed the complaint which resulted in the fine, reported that AFF will have to pay $140,000 in penalties.<ref>The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, [http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/entry/koch-brothers-group-hit-with-massive-fines-from-crew-complaint Koch Brothers Groups Hit With Massive Fines From CREW Complaint], ''The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics'', July 13, 2016.</ref> The other "former" Koch groups fined are [[Americans for Job Security]] and the [[60 Plus Association]].<ref name="nyt"/> ==2016 Election Activity== ===Koch-Backed American Future Fund Targets Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz in Iowa and South Carolina==={{#ev:youtube|xTL9wAoJBWQ|210|right|"Weak"|frame}}[[American Future Fund]], a Koch-funded entity located in Iowa, has taken out $1.5 million in ads against Cruz in South Carolina following the group's campaign ads against him in Iowa.<ref>Alex Altman, [http://time.com/4219640/ted-cruz-south-carolina-campaign-ads-attacks/ Cruz Takes Fire on South Carolina Airwaves], ''Time'', February 12, 2016.</ref> The TV ad criticizes Cruz for being "weak" on national security and for supporting a legal status for undocumented migrants in the US.<ref name="aff">Nick Gass, [http://www.politico.com/blogs/south-carolina-primary-2016-live-updates-and-results/2016/02/cruz-campaign-asks-stations-to-stop-airing-anti-cruz-ad-219326 Cruz campaign asks stations to stop airing anti-Cruz ad], ''Politico'', February 16, 2016.</ref> The narrator in the ad states that, “Cruz proposed mass legalization of illegal immigrants. He even praised the traitor Edward Snowden. Ted Cruz’s talk is cheap. His national security record is weak."<ref name="aff"/> ===Koch-Funded Group Attacks Kasich in New Hampshire==={{#ev:youtube|zhm8uE_MJHM|210|right|"Who is He?"|frame}}The Koch-tied [[American Future Fund]] took out TV ads in New Hampshire against 2016 Republican Presidential Nominee [[John Kasich]] prior to the primary held on February 9, 2015.<ref name="CPI">Cindy Zuvich, [http://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/01/28/19196/koch-linked-group-blasts-kasich-ad-buy Koch-linked group blasts Kasich in ad buy], ''The Center for Public Integrity'', January 28, 2016.</ref> In the ad, the group attacks Kasich's record for not being conservative enough, "John Kasich — not a conservative. Not even a moderate. An Obama Republican."<ref name="CPI"/> Nick Ryan, the current president of American Future Fund told ''The New York Times'' in an email that the group was running the ads because Kasich was "misleading New Hampshire voters" and that the “The real John Kasich record looks like something you might expect from a liberal politician like Barack Obama."<ref>Alexander Burns, [http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/27/john-kasich-is-called-an-obama-republican-in-new-hampshire-ads/?_r=0 John Kasich Is Called an ‘Obama Republican’ in New Hampshire Ads], ''The New York Times'', January 27, 2016.</ref> Kasich finished second in the New Hampshire primary to Donald Trump.<ref> The Washington Post, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/2016-election-results/new-hampshire/ New Hampshire primary election results], ''The Washington Post'', 2016.</ref> ==Fake Internet Ads in Wisconsin 2014 Elections Targeting College Students== In the last weekend of the 2014 race for governor in Wisconsin, American Future Fund launched a social media campaign with Internet ads in Wisconsin that purport to support Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Robert Burke, but the phony ads are bankrolled by Republican supporters and are designed to draw college students away from Mary Burke the Democratic candidate for governor. The ads which can be found at [http://supportrobertburke.com/ "Support Robert Burke and Get Blazed"] are targeted at supporters of the legalization of marijuana. Robert Burke, the libertarian candidate, promptly distanced himself from the ads and put out a statement, "The purpose of the ad is to draw young liberal voters from Mary Burke to vote for Robert Burke. While I endorse the full legalization of Cannabis I do not endorse in any way the message of this ad," which can be found on his official [https://www.facebook.com/BurkeLibertarian Facebook site.] ==Ties to the Koch Brothers==[[File:A_Maze_of_Money.png|500px|thumb|right|The Koch network was one of the biggest political operations in 2012 and worked largely outside the campaign finance system, raising at least $407 million. ''Source: Robert Maguire with the Center for Responsive Politics.'']] From CMD's PRwatch publication: "In January, the Washington Post and Center for Responsive Politics followed the $400 million money trail flowing from two Koch-connected funding vehicles, the 501(c)(6) Freedom Partners and 501(c)(4) Center to Protect Patient Rights (now called "American Encore"), to other politically active nonprofits, like David Koch's Americans for Prosperity and the American Future Fund. Many of the recipients of that funding spent money influencing elections, only a fraction of which was reported to the Federal Elections Commission. [https://www.prwatch.org/news/2014/07/12541/koch-political-spending#sthash.e444UzOz.dpuf Read more at PRwatch.] The Washington Post did a detailed expose on the $400 million Koch network. One of the entities funded by the network was the American Futures Fund described as: "a Des Moines-based nonprofit that poured more than $25 million into ads against Obama and congressional Democrats in 2012." [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-the-koch-backed-political-donor-network/2014/01/05/94719296-7661-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_graphic.html See Washington Post article here.] The ''New York Times'' reported on July 13, 2016 that the Koch brothers have cut ties with the American Future Fund.<ref name="nyt">Nicholas Confessore, [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/us/politics/koch-federal-election-commission-fines.html?_r=0 Three Nonprofits, Former Koch Brothers’ Associates, Fined by F.E.C.], ''New York Times'', July 13, 2016.</ref> ==FEC Complaint by Citizen Watchdog Groups== Public Citizen, Protect Our Elections and the Center for Media and Democracy, publisher of Sourcewatch, filed an federal elections complaint against AFF in 2010 which can be found [here http://www.citizen.org/documents/fec_final_complaint_americanfuturefund101510.pdf]. The complaint states: "Based on published reports, complainants havereason to believe that American Future Fund has violated the law by raising and spending significant amounts of money to influence the 2010 congressional elections without (1) registering as a political committee, as required by 2 U.S.C. § 433, (2) filing financial disclosure reports required by 2 U.S.C. § 434, and (3) complying with the political committee organizational requirements of 2 U.S.C. § 432.1." From History Commons: "Three citizen watchdog and pro-campaign finance groups, the Center for Media and Democracy, Protect Our Elections, and Public Citizen, allege that the tax-exempt nonprofit group American Future Fund (AFF) is violating tax law by operating primarily as a political advocacy group. AFF was founded and is operated by Nick Ryan, a former campaign advisor for former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) and former Representative Jim Nussle (R-IA), and the head of a political consulting firm, the Concordia Group. Ryan also founded a pro-Santorum “super PAC” called the Red, White and Blue Fund. State Senator Sandra Greiner (R-IA) and prominent Iowa Republican Allison Dorr Kleis serve as the organization’s directors." http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=american_future_fund_1

AFF's outside expenditures in the 2012 election totaled more than $25 million, with more than $11 million going to support Republican [[Mitt Romney]] in his presidential bid, or to defeat Democratic Incumbent President [[Barack Obama]].<ref> Viveca, Novak, Viveca. [http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2012/12/center-to-protect-patient-rights-ga.html Center to Protect Patient Rights Gave Millions in 2011 to Outside Spenders in Election] , Open Secrets, Accessed 12/17/2012.</ref> In addition, the American Future Fund also ran ads targeting Democrats in close U.S. Senate and House Races. The sections below detail Patriot Majority's involvement in races in the 2012 election, along with examples of ads they have aired against candidates in those races. At the end of each section, a short summary lists every major ad buy the group made in that particular race.   ===Influencing the 2012 Presidential Election=== {{#ev:youtube|SAbbsxgZ6ok|200|right|"Fed Up"|frame}}AFF was very active in the early part of the 2012 election cycle, stating that "Conservative and free market principles will be under direct attack in America".<ref>American Future Fund, [http://americanfuturefund.com/about-us About Us] organizational website, Accessed February 29th, 2012.</ref> On January 23rd, they ran "The Real State of the Union", an attack ad that aired just before Barack Obama's actual state of the union address.<ref>American Future Fund, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=T2fOm3rdY_o The real state of the union], video upload, uploaded January 23, 2012.</ref>. The ad attack Obama for failing to cut the deficit and increase the supply of renewable energy, despite the fact that both were largely the fault of republicans in congress. A second ad, which aired in February, attacked Obama, claiming that "His White House is Full of Wall Street Bankers."<ref>American Future Fund, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt3vwWfP-EA Obama's Wall Street], video upload, uploaded February 24th, 2012.</ref> Several news sources including Factcheck.org have pointed out that the ad greatly exaggerates the number and importance of Wall street bankers in the Obama White House.<ref>Factcheck.org, [http://factcheck.org/2012/02/obama-white-house-full-of-wall-street-executives/ Obama white house full of wall street executives], organizational website, Accessed February 29th, 2012.</ref> Later in the campaign, AFF began airing ads in support of Mitt Romney and his nominee for Vice President, congressman [[Paul Ryan]].  * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=T2fOm3rdY_o The Real State of the Union]: January 15th, 2012: $150,000<ref>American Future Fund, [http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-launches-national-cable-ad-%E2%80%9Cthe-real-state-of-the-union%E2%80%9D AFF Launches National Cable Ad “The Real State of the Union”], press release, January 23, 2012.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R_EuJbhbiE Obama's Wall Street]: February 27th, 2012: $4 Million<ref> American Future Fund, [http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-launches-tv-ad-obamas-wall-street AFF Launches TV Ad “Obama’s Wall Street”], press release, February 26, 2012.</ref>* [http://americanfuturefund.com/gsa/ On the Hook]: April 24th, 2012: $2 Million<ref>American Future Fund, [http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-asks-shouldnt-someone-be-in-charge AFF Asks Shouldn’t Someone Be In Charge?], press release, April 24, 2012.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc7e47rg5dE What's at Stake]: August 4th, 2012: $10,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/809002/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/08/11/american_future_fund_web_ad_comeback_team.html Young Guns]: August 13th, 2012: $23,000{{fact}}* Blame: August 20th, 2012: $692,497<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/809002/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0L2bEbsth0 Janesville]: September 13th, 2012: $200,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/809665/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0L2bEbsth0 Janesville](rebuy): September 13th, 2012: $796,075<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/809665/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IvDVNC0yQDs Promises]: September 25th, 2012: $500,000<ref>American Future Fund, [http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-releases-new-tv-ad-promises-in-minnesota AFF Releases New TV Ad “Promises” in Minnesota], press release, September 26, 2012.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IvDVNC0yQDs Promises] (web ads): September 25th, 2012: $694,300<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/811885/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Wk2n8P6dQ&feature=player_embedded Confidence]: September 29th, 2012: $260,7000{{fact}} * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0L2bEbsth0 Janesville](web ad): October 1st, 2012: $482,615<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/813454/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=uy1cUXGsBQg Four Years](online ad):October 1st, 2012: $500,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/812898/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7d1ikg3DpM Heartbeat]: October 1st, 2012: $100,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/812392/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VVgoevQmF-U Out of Time]: October 4th, 2012: $120,000{{fact}}* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8RB1dnqS3Q Security]: October 8th, 2012: $347,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/813454/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8RB1dnqS3Q Security](online): October 8th, 2012: $342,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/813454/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9yg1hR_59E Laugh]: October 12th, 2012: $358,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/819697/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAbbsxgZ6ok Fed Up]: October 16th, 2012: $1 million<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/832691/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or68CbMAckI Real Solutions]: October 16h, 2012: $630,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/832691/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=597TSH805-E A New Path]: October 22nd, 2012: $545,000<ref>Pemy Levy, [http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/american-future-fund-launches-pro-romney-spot-in American Future Fund Launches Pro-Romney Spot In Wisconsin], Talking Points Memo, October 22, 2012.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRM17t2bomo Hands]: October 26th, 2012: $769,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/829380/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or68CbMAckI Real Solutions](rebuy): October 29th, 2012: $227,328<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/829552/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PltppZ0D1ZU&feature=youtu.be Party Line]: October 30th, 2012: $400,000 (estimate)<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/830924/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyZu7K1JkHA&feature=youtu.be Worried]: October 30th, 2012: $400,000 (estimate)<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/830924/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYxEWg_UlEI&feature=youtu.be Everyday]: October 30th, 2012: $400,000 (estimate)<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/830924/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or68CbMAckI Real Solutions] (rebuy): October 30th, 2012: $487,257<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/830924/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=597TSH805-E&feature=youtu.be A New Path](rebuy): October 31st, 2012: $1.9 million<ref>American Future Fund, [http://web.archive.org/web/20121112123253/http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-drops-more-than-5-million-in-battleground-states AFF Drops More Than $5 Million in Battleground States], press release - accessed via Wayback Machine, November 1, 2012.</ref>* Obama Receipt: November 1st, 2012: $120,000{{fact}}* Assorted Web Ad Buys: November 2nd, 2012: $433,336<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/832493/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqOnrpr7kb0 Delphi]: November 4th, 2012: $1 million<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/832691/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref> ===Influencing Arizona House Races==={{#ev:youtube|b7DiWaUxFyU|200|right|"Changed"|frame}}During the 2012 election cycle, the American Future Fund spent almost $1.4 million influencing U.S. House races in Arizona's 1st and 9th Congressional Districts. In the 1st district, they spent $1 million supporting Republican hopeful Jonathan Paton, or attacking his rival, Democrat Ann Kirtpatrick, in the 9th district, they spent $300,000 attacking Democrat Kyrsten Sinema.<ref> Opensecrets.org: Outside Spending Profile for Arizona's, [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/indexp.php?cycle=2012&id=AZ01 First] and [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/indexp.php?cycle=2012&id=AZ09 Ninth] congressional districts, Accessed January 8th, 2012.</ref> '''1st Congressional District'''* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bc2n1PFJlI Walk]: October 1st, 2012: $411,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/812163/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* Fought: October 1st, 2012: $169,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/812163/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieZnob3i0QU Listening]: October 21st, 2012: $500,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/830924/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref> '''9th Congressional District'''* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7DiWaUxFyU&feature=youtu.be Changed]: September 18th, 2012: $308,250<ref>Federal Election Commission, [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/811427/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, 2013.</ref> ===Influencing California House Races==={{#ev:youtube|nlwBuCUPyfI|200|right|"Changed"|frame}}the American Future Fund invested at least $500,000 in a single attack ad against Democrat Julia Brownley, who was running for congress in California's 26th District. Their ad attacked Brownley for voting her staff pay raises instead of cutting spending. <ref>Opensecrets.org Outside Spending Report, [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/indexp.php?cycle=2012&id=CA26 California's 26th District], organizational website, Accessed January 9th, 2012.</ref> * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlwBuCUPyfI Raises]: October 25th, 2012: $500,000{{fact}}

AFF===Influencing the Nevada Senate Race==={{#ev:youtube|iL3ilXwUwCw|200|right|"Battle Born"|frame}}After the presidential race, American Future Fund's outside expenditures largest single investment in 2012 concerned the 2012 election totaled more than Nevada Senate Race between Republican Dean Heller and Democratic Incumbent Shelly Berkley. The American Future Fund spent $25 1.3 millionin the Arizona senate race.* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL3ilXwUwCw Battle Born]: August 24th, with more than 2012: $11 million going to support Republican [[Mitt Romney]] in his presidential bid427, or to defeat Democratic Incumbent President [[Barack Obama]].000<ref> NovakRachel Weiner, Viveca. [http://www.opensecretswashingtonpost.orgcom/newsblogs/election-2012/wp/2012/1208/center24/americans-for-prosperity-totries-protectsofter-patient6-rightsmillion-ga.html Center to Protect Patient Rights Gave Millions in 2011 to Outside Spenders in Electiontouch/ Americans for Prosperity tries softer, $6 million touch] Accessed 12/17/, The Washington Post, August 24, 2012.</ref> In addition, the American Future Fund also ran ads targeting Democrats in close U* [http://www.Syoutube. Senate and House Races. The sections below detail Patriot Majority's involvement in races in the com/watch?v=iL3ilXwUwCw Battle Born] (rebuy): November 4th, 2012 election: $750,000<ref>Federal Election Commission, along with examples of ads they have aired against candidates in those races [http://query.nictusa. At the end of each sectioncom/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/832493/f57 Itemized Independent Expenditures], Schedule 5-E, accessed May 28, a short summary lists every major ad buy the group made in that particular race2013. </ref>

===Influencing the 2012 Presidential ElectionNew Mexico Senate Race=== AFF was very active in {{#ev:youtube|mDtbYG1aXBo|200|right|"Tomorrow"|frame}} In New Mexico, the early part of American Future Fund sunk at least $435,000 into defeating Democrat Martin Heinrich. They also ran at least one ad they did not disclose spending for.* [http://youtu.be/jW1iSSzyfXE the Heinrich Report]: May 1st, 2012 election cycle: $100, stating that "Conservative and free market principles will be under direct attack in America" 000<ref> About Us: American Future Fund, [http://americanfuturefund.com/aboutaff-us About Usreleases-new-tv-ad-in-new-mexico-the-heinrich-report AFF Releases New TV Ad in New Mexico, “The Heinrich Report”] American Future Fund, Accessed February 29thpress release, June 6, 2012 .</ref>* [http://www. On January 23rdyoutube.com/watch?v=i4195iEBZ1E Frustrating]: August 9th, they ran "The Real State 2012: Cost of the Union", an attack ad that aired just before Barack Obama's actual state of the union address. <ref> Youtube: not disclosed* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?featurev=mDtbYG1aXBo Tomorrow]: August 23rd, 2012: $335,000{{fact}} ===Influencing the Wisconsin Senate Race==player_embedded&v=T2fOm3rdY_o {{#ev:youtube|XdbLtkDWV2o|200|right|"Paper"|frame}} The American Future Fund spent at least $260,000 opposing the real state election of the unionDemocratic Senator [[Tammy Baldwin]], who was running against former governor [[Tommy Thompson]] to fill a seat vacated by Democrat [[Herb Kohl]] </ref>. The On October 26th, they ran a thirty-second ad attack Obama targeting Baldwin for her support for failing to cut the deficit and increase the supply of renewable energyEPA's Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule, despite which the fact that both were largely the fault of republicans in congressAFF claimed destroyed jobs by forcing paper manufacturers to conform to burdensome regulations. A second key claim in the adcomes from an Op-Ed article by Jeff Landin of the Wisconsin Paper Council, which aired in Februarywho used figures from a 2010 study commissioned by the American Forest and Paper Association and Fisher International, attacked Obama, claiming that a consulting and information services firm to the pulp and and paper mill industry. Laurie Johnson of the Natural Resources Defense Council has criticized the study for exhibiting "His White House is Full a lack of understanding of Wall Street Bankerseven introductory-level economics." <ref> Youtube: Sara Jerving, [httphttps://www.youtubeprwatch.comorg/news/2012/10/11820/watch?v=zt3vwWfPkoch-linked-group-launches-ad-targets-tammy-baldwin-paper-jobs Koch-EA Obama's Wall StreetLinked Group launched Ad targeting Tammy Baldwin for Paper Jobs] Accessed February 29th, PRWatch.org, October 26th, 2012 . </ref>The AFF also spent at least $98,000 on a single ad supporting the election of Wisconsin Billionaire [[Eric Hovde]], who was running in the Wisconsin Republican Primary. Several news sources including Factcheck.org have pointed out FEC Filings state that they produced and aired an ad called "Changed" in support of Hovde, but the ad greatly exaggerates does not appear to exist online. The AFF disclosed spending the number and imporance of Wall street bankers in the Obama White Housemoney on August 8th, 2012. <ref> Factcheck.orgFEC: Independent Expenditure Report, [http://factcheckquery.orgnictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/2012forms/02C90011677/obama-white-house-full-of-wall-street-executives803922/ Obama white house full of wall street executivesf57 American Future Fund] Accessed February 29th, organizational report, Submitted August 8th, 2012 .</ref> Later in the campaign, AFF began airing ads in support of Mitt Romney and his nominee for Vice President, congressman [[Paul Ryan]].

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=T2fOm3rdY_o The Real State of ZCbpzsx9i6M What the Union]: January 15th, 2012: $150,000 [http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-launches-national-cable-ad-%E2%80%9Cthe-real-state-Wisconsin Flag Thinks of-the-union%E2%80%9D]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R_EuJbhbiE Obama's Wall Street]: February 27th, 2012: $4 Million [http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-launches-tv-ad-obamas-wall-street]* [http://americanfuturefund.com/gsa/ On the Hook]: April 24th, 2012: $2 Million [http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-asks-shouldnt-someone-be-in-charge]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc7e47rg5dE What's at Stake]: August 4th, 2012: $10,000 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/809002/f57]* [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/08/11/american_future_fund_web_ad_comeback_team.html Young Guns]: August 13th, 2012: $23,000 [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/08/11/american_future_fund_web_ad_comeback_team.htmlTammy Baldwin]* Blame: August 20th, 2012: $692,497 [ http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/809002/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0L2bEbsth0 Janesville]: September 13th, 2012: $200,000 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/809665/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0L2bEbsth0 Janesville](rebuy): September 13th, 2012: $796,075 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/809665/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IvDVNC0yQDs Promises]: September 25th, 2012: $500,000 [http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-releases-new-tv-ad-promises-in-minnesota]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IvDVNC0yQDs Promises] (web ads): September 25th, 2012: $694,300 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/811885/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Wk2n8P6dQ&feature=player_embedded Confidence]: September 29th, 2012: $260,7000 [http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/outside-no spending/committee/american-future-fund/C90011677/]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0L2bEbsth0 Janesville](web ad): October 1st, 2012: $482,615 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/813454/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=uy1cUXGsBQg Four Years](online disclosed for this ad):October 1st, 2012: $500,000 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/812898/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VVgoevQmF-U Out of Time]: October 4th, 2012: $120,000 [http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/outside-spending/committee/american-future-fund/C90011677/]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8RB1dnqS3Q Security]: October 8th, 2012: $347,000 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/813454/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8RB1dnqS3Q Security](online): October 8th, 2012: $342,000 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/813454/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9yg1hR_59E Laugh]: October 12th, 2012: $358,000 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/819697/f57]* * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAbbsxgZ6ok Fed Up]: October 16th, 2012: $1 million [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/832691/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or68CbMAckI Real Solutions]: October 16h, 2012: $630,000 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/832691/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=597TSH805-E A New Path]: October 22nd, 2012: $545,000 [http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/american-future-fund-launches-pro-romney-spot-in]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRM17t2bomo HandsXdbLtkDWV2o Paper]: October 26th, 2012: $769520,000 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/829380/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or68CbMAckI Real Solutions](rebuy): October 29th, 2012: the AFF classifies $227,328 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/829552/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PltppZ0D1ZU&feature=youtu.be Party Line]: October 30th, 2012: $400260,000 (estimate)[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/830924/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyZu7K1JkHA&feature=youtu.be Worried]: October 30thas spent opposing Baldwin, 2012: and $400260,000 (estimateas spent opposing Obama)[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/830924/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYxEWg_UlEI&feature=youtu.be Everyday]: October 30th<ref>Federal Election Commission, 2012: $400,000 (estimate)[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/830924829380/f57Itemized Independent Expenditures]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or68CbMAckI Real Solutions] (rebuy): October 30th, 2012: $487,257 [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/830924/f57]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=597TSH805Schedule 5-E&feature=youtu.be A New Path](rebuy): October 31st, 2012: $1.9 million [http://americanfuturefund.com/aff-drops-more-than-5-million-in-battleground-states]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqOnrpr7kb0 Delphi]: November 4thaccessed May 28, 2012: $1 million [http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677/832691/f57]* Obama Receipt: November 1st, 2012: $120,000 [http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/outside-spending/committee/american-future-fund/C90011677/]* Assorted Web Ad Buys: November 2nd, 2012: $433,336 [http://query.nictusa2013.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C90011677</832493/f57]ref>

In the 2010 election cycle directed its efforts at 14 "liberal" politicians that sat on committees with jurisdiction over energy and agricultural policy. <ref name="NYT"> Jim Rutenberg, Don Van Natta, and Mike McIntire, [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/us/politics/12donate.html?pagewanted=all Offering Donors Secrecy, and Going on Attack], New York Times, October 11, 2010 .</ref>

AFF has also actively campaigned vigorously against Obama's health care reforms. It created several ads targeting the bill, many of included factual inaccuracies. <ref>Fackcheck.org, [http://www.factcheck.org/2010/03/future-funds-faulty-fusillade/ Future Fund’s Faulty Fusillade] , organizational website, March 19, 2010 .</ref>

In total, AFF spent over 26 million dollars in 2010 .<ref> Viveca Novak and Robert Maguire: , [http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2012/02/dark-money-trail.html Dark Money Train] Open Secrets, Accessed February 29th, 2012. </ref> According to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 7.3 million was spent advocating for the "election or defeat of candidates for federal office"<ref> Crew: Citizens for Ethics, [http://www.citizensforethics.org/legal-filings/entry/irs-investigate-american-future-fund CREW asks IRS to Investigate American Future Fund] Citizens for Ethics.org, accessed organizational website, February 29th1th, 2012 2011.</ref>

The American Future Fund took at least 4.5 million dollars from PhRMA in 2010. <ref> Michael Beckel , [http://www.nationofchange.org/drug-lobby-gave-94-million-nonprofits-spent-big-2010-election-1330451337 drug lobby gave 9.4 million to nonprofits that spent big on the 2010 election] , Nation of Change: Accessed , accessed February 29th, 2012 .</ref>

[[File:W-kochnetwork.jpg|thumb|alt=The $400 million Koch network.|The $400 million Koch network uses a maze of nonprofit groups and LLCs to conceal donations and campaign activity<br>''Source: Robert Maguire with the Center for Responsive Politics. Matea Gold and Cristina Rivero/The Washington Post.'']]In 2008, its founding year, AFF is alleged to have receive $7.5 million in donations. <ref name="NYT"></ref> In the 2010 election cycle, AFF has admitted to spending $25 million. <ref>Factcheck.org, [http://www.factcheck.org/2011/09/american-future-fund-2/ American Future Fund], organizational website, September 18, 2011.</ref> Although AFF does not publicly revealed disclose its funders , contributions from at least three nonprofit organizations were revealed because they must disclose the identity of their grant recipients. The shadowy dark money conduit the tax code does not require it [[Center to do soProtect Patient Rights]] gave AFF $1. However1 million in 2011, Iowa businessmen Bruce Rastetter$11.7 million in 2010 (about half their total budget), CEO of the major ethanol-producing company Hawkeye Energy Holdingand $1.3 million in 2009.<ref name="SECRET">Open Secrets, has admitted [http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/contrib.php?cmte=C30001028 "Top Organizations Disclosing Donations to providing some of the startup funds American Future Fund"], Center for the organizationResponsive Politics, Accessed January 14, 2012.</ref> The group also received over $2. 4 million<ref name="NYTSECRET"></ref> in 2010 from the right-wing legal group American Justice Partnership, a Michigan-based 501(c )(4) affiliate of the National Organization of Manufactureres and who list its "partners"as including groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council and the [[Heritage Foundation]].<ref>American Justice Partnership, [http://americanjusticepartnership.com/partners.php Our National Partners], organizational website, accessed January 14, 2012.</ref> Also in 2010, the trade association [[Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America]], or PhRMA, gave AFF $300,000.<ref>Viveca Novak and Robert Maguire,[http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2012/02/dark-money-trail.html/ Donors to GOP's Nondisclosing Nonprofits Travel in Familiar Networks], ''Center for Responsive Politics'', February 27, 2012.</ref>

In 2008According to a 2014 ProPublica report, its founding year"the American Future Fund, AFF is alleged to have receive which pulled in a whopping $7.5 68 million in donations. <ref name=2012, got more than 92 percent of that money from [[Freedom Partners]] and the [[Center to Protect Patient Rights|Center]]"NYTand "></ref> In according to tax and FEC records, the 2010 election cycle, AFF admitted to spending American Future Fund poured at least $25 19.8 millionfrom the Center and Freedom Partners into elections. "<ref>Kim Barker and Theodoric Meyer, "[http://www.factcheckpropublica.org/2011article/09/americanthe-dark-money-man-how-sean-noble-moved-the-kochs-cash-into-futurepolitics-fundand-2/ American Future Fundma The Dark Money Man: How Sean Noble Moved the Kochs’ Cash into Politics and Made Millions], September 18" ProPublica, 2011 February 14, 2014.</ref>

A large percentage of their 2010 funds came from a single source, the CPPR is run by [[Center to Protect Patients' RightsSean Noble]], another 501(c)(4) which made massive donations in support of various conservative groups in late 2011. The Center gave AFF $12 million, about half their total budget <ref> Vivica Novak and Robert Macguire: who Politico described as a Koch Operative [http://www.opensecretspolitico.orgcom/news/2012stories/050211/cppr49303_Page2.html Mystery Health Care Group Funneled Millions to Conservative Nonprofits], May 18th, 2012 </ref> the American Future Fund Nobel was hired by the largest grant recipient of the CPPR, Kochs to coordinate with other groups conservative superPACs to receive CPPR funds include the [[60 Plus Association]], [[Americans for Job Security]], and [[Americans for Tax Reform]] target Democratic representatives in 2010. <ref> Viveca Novak and Robert Maguire: Lee Fang, [http://www.opensecretsrepublicreport.org/news2012/201255million-koch-fronts/05Koch Operative Steered $55 Million To Front Groups Airing Ads Against Democrats; Ads Assailed Candidates Over Abortion, 9/cppr.html Mystery Health Care Group Funneled Millions to Conservative Nonprofits11, Medicare], Republic Report, May 18th19th, 2012 .</ref>

'''<big>2013</big>'''<ref name==Leadership=="2013aff"/>Sandra Greiner* Total Revenue: $6,373, a Republican state legislator in Iowa and farmer418* Total Expenses: $6, is the current president of the AFF. <ref>[http978,487* Net Assets://www.factcheck.org/2011/09/american-future-fund-$2/ American Future Fund], September 18067, 2011 </ref>651

'''Grants'''*Arizona Public Integrity Alliance: $120,000*[[Competitive Enterprise Institute]]: $164,067*The Progress Project: $294,000*Techfreedom: $100,000 '''<big>2012</big>'''<ref name="2013aff"/>* Total Revenue: $67,947,016* Total Expenses: $66,882,501* Net Assets: $2,672,720 ==Personnel==As of May, 2015:<ref name="2013aff">American Future Fund, [http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2015_07_EO/26-0620554_990O_201312.pdf 2013 990], ''American Future Fund'', May 15, 2015.</ref>*Sandra Greiner, President and Director*Allison Kleis, Tresurer and Secretary The following individuals have held leadership positions within the AFF:<ref>Will Evans, [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93790064 Profile: American Future Fund], NPRNational Public Radio, August 20, 2008 .</ref>