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{{#badges:SPN|AEX}}The '''Commonwealth Foundationfor Public Policy Alternatives''' is a right-wing pressure group based in Pennsylvania based free-market that calls itself a "[[think tank]]. " Commonwealth says that it "crafts free-market policies, convinces Pennsylvanians of their benefits, and counters attacks on liberty."<ref>Commonwealth Foundation. , [http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/about/ "Mission & Values"] , organizational website, accessed December 2012.</ref> The Commonwealth Foundation is a member of the [[State Policy Network]] (SPN).An August 2013 ALEC board document obtained by ''The Guardian'' lists Commonwealth as a "former SPN member,"<ref name="ALECboard">American Legislative Exchange Council, [https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/841593/alec-docs.pdf ALEC 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting Board Meeting packet], organizational documents, August 6, 2013, released by ''The Guardian'' December 3, 2013.</ref> but the SPN website still lists Commonwealth as a full member as of August 2016,<ref>State Policy Network, [http://www.spn.org/directory/stid.46/organizations.asp Directory: Pennsylvania], organizational website, accessed July 2014.</ref> and a July 2013 Commonwealth fundraising proposal to [[Searle Freedom Trust]] was included in a packet of SPN proposals in August 2013.<ref>State Policy Network, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/842271-spn-budget-proposals-state-by-state.html Searle Tax and Budget Grant Proposals], organizational fundraising proposal packet, July 29, 2013, obtained and released by ''The Guardian'' December 5, 2013.</ref> On its website, the Commonwealth Foundation lists its issue areas as taxes and spending, jobs and the economy, education, energy and the environment, unions and labor policy, accountable government, and privatization.<ref>Commonwealth Foundation, [http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/issues/ Issues], ''Commonwealth Foundation'', 2016.</ref>
==Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council==
The Commonwealth Foundation has ties to the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] through its membership in various ALEC "task forces." Director of Policy Analysis for Commonwealth, Nathan Benefield, is a member of the [[Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force]].<ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force meeting agenda and materials, June 30, 2011, on file with CMD</ref> Senior Fellow, Rick Dreyfuss, is a member of the [[Health and Human Services Task Force]] and policy analyst, Elizabeth Stelle, is a member of the [[Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force]].<ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, Health and Human Services Task Force meeting agenda and materials, June 30, 2011, on file with CMD</ref><ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force meeting agenda and materials, June 30, 2011, on file with CMD</ref> SPN, of which Commonwealth is a member, is also an ALEC member and has strong historical ties to ALEC. Please see [[SPN Ties to ALEC]] for more.
{{about_ALEC}}
The President of Commonwealth Foundation, Matthew Brouillette claims According to a report published by Keystone Progress and the "organization lobbies 'indirectly' through research, Center for Media and advocates for broad issuesDemocracy, rather than for specific policy."<ref name="CF"/> While the Commonwealth Foundation has not reported any lobbying activity "with the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, " however they did report "over $87,000 in total lobbying expenditures to the Internal Revenue Service from 2008 to 2011, including $55,655 in 'grassroots lobbying.'"<ref name="CF"/> The report also states that according to Matthew Brouillette, President of Commonwealth Foundation, the organization, "lobbies 'indirectly' through research, and advocates for broad issues, rather than for specific policy."<ref name="CF"/> <ref name="CF"> Keystone Progress and the Center for Media and Democracy [http://www.scribd.com/doc/183614990/PA-SPN-Report# The Commonwealth Foundation and the Allegheny Institute: Think tanks or corporate lobbyist propaganda mills?] Report, November 2013.</ref>
===Staff=== *According to the Center for Media and Democracy, CF received the following contributions from [[Matthew Jhttps://www.sourcewatch. Brouillette]], President and CEO*Charles Forg/index. Mitchell, Vice President php/DonorsTrust_and_Donors_Capital_Fund_Grant_Recipients DonorsTrust and COO *Nathan A. Benefield, Director of Policy Analysis*Jay Ostrich, Director of Public Affairs*Amy J. Grimm, Director of Operations*Katrina Currie, Senior Policy Analyst Donors Capital funds] between 2008 and Director of Government Affairs2014:<br>*Dawn Meling2014:$2, Director of Community Relations*Priya Abraham617, Senior Policy Analyst 800<br>*Elizabeth Stelle2013:$632, Policy Analyst500<br>*Bethany Wilston2012:$131, Manager of First Impressions000<br>*Richard C. Dreyfuss2011:$340, Senior Fellow 500<br>*Hon. Robert W. O'Donnell2010:$345, Senior Fellow000<br>*Hon. Jeff Coleman2009:$374, Senior Fellow000<br>*Dr. Victoria C. G. Coates2008:$237, Senior Fellow000<br>
*Michael W. Gleba, Chairman*Matthew J. Brouillette, President and CEO*Jane Leader Janeczek, Treasurer*David E. Barensfeld, Secretary*T. William Boxx*W. Kirk Liddell*Glen T. Meakem==Core Financials==
====Directors Emeritus===='''<big>2014</big>'''<ref>Commonwealth Foundation, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2014/232/473/2014-232473845-0c3f7ebe-9.pdf IRS Form 990, 2014], organizational tax filing, November 4, 2015.</ref>* Total Revenue: $3,929,099* Total Expenses: $3,838,154* Net Assets: $839,185
*Frederick W'''<big>2013</big>'''<ref>Commonwealth Foundation, [http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2014_12_EO/23-2473845_990_201312.pdf IRS Form 990, 2013], organizational tax filing, November 11, 2014. Anton III</ref>*Dr. Allan H. MeltzerTotal Revenue: $2,810,324*Hon. William W. Scranton IIITotal Expenses: $2,665,762*Hon. Patrick J. ToomeyNet Assets: $758,722
==Core Financials=='''<big>2012</big>'''<ref>Commonwealth Foundation, [http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2013_12_EO/23-2473845_990_201212.pdf IRS Form 990, 2012], organizational tax filing, November 12, 2013.</ref>* Total Revenue: $1,551,722* Total Expenses: $1,648,046* Net Assets: $613,972
225 State Street*Charles F. Mitchell, President and CEO*Nathan Benefield, Vice President of Policy and COO*Jennifer Stefano, Vice President*John Bouder, Director of Communications*Emily Jae, Director of Entrepreneur Engagement, Suite 302<br>Southeastern PennsylvaniaHarrisburg*Lenny McAllister, Director of Entrepreneur Engagement, Western Pennsylvania*Abhi Samuel, Director of Entrepreneur Engagement*Elizabeth Stelle, Director of Policy Analysis*Liz Vincent, Director of Entrepreneur Engagement, Central Pennsylvania*Jeremy Baker, Senior Government Affairs Associate*Marc LeBlond, Senior Policy Analyst*Dawn Toguchi, Senior Marketing Specialist*Michael Torres, Senior Communications Officer*Jessica Barnett, Policy Analyst*Savanna Faith Cornibe, Hospitality Coordinator*Andrew Cuff, Manager of Editorial Content*Catherine Fitzhugh, Entrepreneur Engagement Manager*Kevin Kane, Entrepreneur Engagement Coordinator, Western PA 17101<br>Phone: 717.671.1901<br>*Jordan Pine, Operations CoordinatorFax: 717.671.1905<br>Email: Info(at)CommonwealthFoundation.org*Dennise Zimmerman, Executive Assistant & Contributions Manager
==Resources '''Former Staff'''*[[Matthew J. Brouillette]], President and Articles==CEO*Jay Ostrich, Director of Public Affairs*Amy J. Grimm, Director of Operations*Katrina Anderson, Senior Policy Analyst and Director of Government Affairs*Dawn Meling, Director of Community Relations*Cindy Hamill-Dahlgren, Director of Strategic Communications*Bethany Wilston, Manager of First Impressions*Darryl White, Senior Vice President*Douglas Baker, Vice President of Communications and COO*Tom Bako, Director of Entrepreneur Engagement*Gina Diorio, Director of Media Relations*Elizabeth Stelle, Director of Policy Analysis*Bob Dick, Senior Policy Analyst*James Paul, Senior Policy Analyst*Jonathan Humma, Senior Government Affairs Associate*Brittney Parker, Senior Entrepreneur Engagement Officer*Jonathan Reginella, Entrepreneur Engagement Officer*Debbie Attardi, Executive Assistant
{{Template:SPN SW}}'''Former Fellows'''*Hon. Jeff Coleman, Senior Fellow*Dr. Victoria C. G. Coates, Senior Fellow*Jennifer Stefano, Senior Fellow
{{Template:SPN PRW}}====Directors Emeritus====
===External Resources===*Frederick W. Anton III*Dr. Allan H. Meltzer*Hon. William W. Scranton III*Hon. Patrick J. Toomey*Matthew J. Brouillette*David E. Barensfeld*T. William Boxx*Glen T. Meakem
{{Template==Contact Information==Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives<br>225 State Street, Suite 302<br>Harrisburg, PA 17101<br>Phone:SPN Ex}}717-671-1901<br>Fax: 717-671-1905<br>Website: http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/<br>Email: info@CommonwealthFoundation.org<br>Twitter:https://twitter.com/liberty4PA<br>Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthFoundation<br>
{{About_SPN}}
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==Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council==
The Commonwealth Foundation has ties to the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] through its membership in various ALEC "task forces." Director of Policy Analysis for Commonwealth, Nathan Benefield, is a member of the [[Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force]].<ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force meeting agenda and materials, June 30, 2011, on file with CMD</ref> Senior Fellow, Rick Dreyfuss, is a member of the [[Health and Human Services Task Force]] and policy analyst, Elizabeth Stelle, is a member of the [[Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force]].<ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, Health and Human Services Task Force meeting agenda and materials, June 30, 2011, on file with CMD</ref><ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force meeting agenda and materials, June 30, 2011, on file with CMD</ref> SPN, of which Commonwealth is a member, is also an ALEC member and has strong historical ties to ALEC -- several historical documents even indicate that ALEC founded SPN.<ref>Rebekah Wilce, [https://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/12/12339/did-alec-found-spn-1991-report-suggests-so-exposes-spn-agenda Did ALEC Found SPN? 1991 Report Suggests So, Exposes SPN Agenda], ''PRWatch'', December 12, 2013.</ref> According to an August 2013 ALEC board document obtained by ''The Guardian'', Commonwealth terminated its ALEC membership on March 9, 2013 because, according to an ALEC note, it was considered a "former SPN member... - would like to join again if can fit in budget."<ref name="ALECboard"/>
'''Please see [[SPN Ties to ALEC]] for more.'''
{{about_ALEC}}
==Ties to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity==
The Commonwealth Foundation started the ''Pennsylvania Independent'', a "statehouse news" publication, in 2010 and transitioned to the ALEC-connected [[Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity]] in January 2011.<ref>Pew Research Center, [http://features.journalism.org/non-profit-news/statehouse-news-online/pennsylvania-independent/ Pennsylvania Independent], Journalism.org, organizational publication, accessed April 2013.</ref> The Franklin Center screens potential reporters on their “free market” views as part of the job application process.<ref>Franklin Center, [http://franklincenterhq.org/2376/think-tank-journalism-the-future-of-investigative-reporting/ Franklin Affiliates in Your State], organizational website, accessed October 2012.</ref> The Franklin Center funds reporters in over 40 states.<ref>The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, [http://www.franklincenterhq.org/2376/think-tank-journalism-the-future-of-investigative-reporting/ Think tank Journalism: The Future of Investigative Journalism], organizational website, accessed August 19, 2011.</ref> Despite their non-partisan description, many of the websites funded by the Franklin Center have received criticism for their conservative bias.<ref>Rebekah Metzler, [http://www.pressherald.com/news/watchdog-website-puts-a-new-spin-on-politics_2010-10-02.html 'Watchdog' website puts a new spin on politics], ''The Portland Press Herald'', accessed August 19, 2011.</ref><ref>Allison Kilkenny, [http://www.truth-out.org/koch-spider-web/1312231636 The Koch Spider Web], ''Truthout'', accessed August 19, 2011.</ref> On its website, the Franklin Center claims it "provides 10 percent of all daily reporting from state capitals nationwide."<ref> Sara Jerving, [httphttps://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/10/10971/franklin-center-right-wing-funds-state-news-source Franklin Center: Right-Wing Funds State News Source], ''[httphttps://www.prwatch.org PRWatch.org]'', October 27, 2011.</ref>
===Franklin Center Funding===
The Franklin Center was launched by the Chicago-based [[Sam Adams Alliance]] (SAM),<ref>Sam Adams Alliance. [http://www.samadamsalliance.org/media/5148/sam_adams_alliance_media_kit.pdf Sam Adams Alliance Media Kit]. Organizational PDF. Accessed August 19, 2011.</ref> a 501(c)(3) devoted to pushing free-market ideals. SAM gets funding from the [[State Policy Network]],<ref>Media Matters Action Network. [http://mediamattersaction.org/transparency/organization/Sam_Adams_Alliance/funders Sam Adams Alliance]. Conservative Transparency. Accessed August 19, 2011.</ref> which is partially funded by The Claude R. Lambe Foundation.<ref>Media Matters Action Network. [http://mediamattersaction.org/transparency/organization/State_Policy_Network/funders State Policy Network]. Conservative Transparency. Accessed August 19, 2011.</ref> [[Charles Koch]], one of the billionaire brothers who co-own Koch Industries, sits on the board of this foundation.<ref>Media Matters Action Network. [http://mediamattersaction.org/transparency/organization/Claude_R_Lambe_Charitable_Foundation Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation]. Conservative Transparency. Accessed August 19, 2011.</ref> SAM also receives funding from the [[Rodney Fund]].
==Lobbying Activities==
==PersonnelFunding==Keystone Progress and the Center for Media and Democracy reported in November 2013 that Commonwealth Foundation is largely funded by anonymous donors via [[DonorsTrust]] and [[Donors Capital Fund]]. These funds create accounts for donors and allow them to manage their money "by telling the organization which non-profits to fund."<ref name="CF"/>
'''Other identified funders include:'''*Allegheny Foundation: $40,000.00 (1991-1994)*Carthage Foundation: $10,000.00 (1995)*[[Castle Rock Foundation]]: $25,000.00 (2011)*[[Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation]]: $90,916.00 (2007-2011)*Claws Foundations: $65,000.00 (2001-2005)*[[Donors Capital Fund]]: $1,242,800.00 (2005-2011)*[[DonorsTrust]]: $254,500.00 (2009-2011)*[[Jaquelin Hume Foundation]]: $292,561.00 (2002-2011)*[[JM Foundation]]: $100,000.00: (1995-2012)*[[Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation]]: $187,000.00 (1990-2009)<ref name===Board of Directors==="CF"/>*Philip M. McKenna Foundation: $1,481,830.00 (1996-2011)*[[Scaife Family Foundation]]: $2,692,000.00 (1995-2011)*[[Snider Foundation]]: $825,000 (2015-2018)*[[State Policy Network]]: $149,000.00 (2002-2011)
'''<big>2011</big>'''<ref>Commonwealth Foundation, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/232/473/2011-232473845-089579f2-9.pdf IRS Form 990, 2011], organizational tax filing, July 9, 2012.</ref>
*Net Assets: $308,086.00
==Contact InformationPersonnel== ===Staff===As of September 2018:<ref name="staff">Commonwealth Foundation, [http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/about/staff.asp Staff], ''Commonwealth Foundation'', 2016.</ref>
===Related SourceWatch ArticlesSenior Fellows===As of August 2016:<ref name="staff"/>*Priya Abraham, Senior Fellow*Emily Kuebler Cox, Senior Fellow*Richard Dreyfuss, Senior Fellow*Colleen Hroncich, Senior Fellow*Gordon Tomb, Senior Fellow*Robert O'Donnell, Senior Fellow
===Related PRWatch ArticlesBoard of Directors===As of August 2016:<ref>Commonwealth Foundation, [http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/about/page/board-of-directors Board of Directors], ''Commonwealth Foundation'', 2016.</ref>*Jane Leader Janeczek, Chairman*[[Thomas E. Beach]]*George G.H. Coates Jr.*Robert L. Ecklin, Jr.*Michael W. Gleba*W. Kirk Liddell
==Articles and Resources==
===Articles===
*David Armiak, [https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/06/25/bradley-foundation-funds-opt-out-campaign-to-cripple-public-sector-unions/ Bradley Foundation Funds “Opt-Out” Campaign to Cripple Public Sector Unions], ''ExposedbyCMD'', June 25, 2019.
===References===
<references/>
[[Category:Think tanksSPN Exposed]][[Category:Right wingALEC Exposed]][[Category:Politics (U.S.)ALEC Members]][[Category:ALEC MembersNon-Profits]][[Category:Think tanks]][[Category:Right wing]][[Category:ALEC Non-ProfitsPolitics (U.S.)]]{{stub}}
