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Independent Women's Forum

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IWF has two sister organizations: a 501(c)(4) issue advocacy group, [[Independent Women's Voice]] (IWF), formed in 2003;<ref>New York State Office of the Attorney General, [http://www.charitiesnys.com/RegistrySearch/show_details.jsp?id={185DAF00-4167-40B7-A2C0-16EE310E9E44} Charities Database: Independent Women's Voice], state governmental website, accessed April 2015.</ref> and a network of local chapters called Independent Women's Network, formed in 2012.<ref>Independent Women's Network, [http://independentwomensnetwork.org/ Independent Women's Network], organizational website, accessed April 2015.</ref>
{{Template__TOC__ ==News and Controversies=====Opposition to Paid Family and Medical Leave and Earned Sick Leave During the COVID-19 Pandemic=== The Independent Women's Forum attacked paid leave proposals to allow workers time off during an unprecedented global pandemic, calling such proposals "radical" and part of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's "far-Left grabbag of ideas." IWF has also attacked Democratic governors as "Little Tyrants" for issuing stay-at-home orders urged by disease control experts. According to True North Research, "IWF has argued that 'a crisis is not the time for federal programs,' even as more than 36 million Americans have filed for unemployment during this pandemic and nearly 100,000 Americans have died —and millions have been affected by this contagious and debilitating disease. IWF has used its online platforms to cheer on right-wing lawmakers like Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who tried to gut relief for American workers in the coronavirus aid package, and to attack progressive policymakers like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), who has defended stay-at-home orders as nearly 50,000 Michiganders have tested positive for Covid-19, nearly 5,000 of whom have died in the past few weeks, as of May 15, 2020. Meanwhile, IWF has been promoting uplifting stories of coronavirus heroes and pushed its marketing to independent women that we’re all #InThisTogether, but it has also continued to fight against paid leave. IWF has a long history of opposing workplace reforms that benefit women and chief among those is how it has attacked access to Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) and earned sick leave across the U.S."<ref name="paidleave"> Lisa Graves and Evan Vorpahl, [https:KochConnection}}//truenorthresearch.org/2020/05/frindependent-womens-forum-paid-family-medical-leave-sick-leave-pay-to-play-agenda-issue-one/ IWF Opposition to Paid Family and Medical Leave and Earned Sick Leave Policies During Covid-19 and Beyond], True North Research, May 15, 2020.</ref> Read more about IWF's long-term and recent efforts to deny Americans access to paid leave [https://truenorthresearch.org/2020/05/frindependent-womens-forum-paid-family-medical-leave-sick-leave-pay-to-play-agenda-issue-one/ here.] ===IWF/V Claims it Helped Flip Wisconsin Red in 2016===On February 23, 2020 Lisa Graves first wrote in ''The Cap Times'' that IWF/V claimed to have played a decisive role in delivering Wisconsin for Trump in the 2016 election, according to an internal report obtained by True North Research (TNR). The report, prepared for IWF/V by Shaw and Company Research, suggests that IWF/V's quizzes targeting independent and GOP women in Wisconsin may have moved the needle just enough to tip the state to Trump, who won by a narrow 22,748 votes in Wisconsin. IWF/V developed quizzes shortly before the election focusing on the ACA, Supreme Court, and workforce issues like paid leave to relay distorted information to voters, masking the group's extreme agenda while increasing support for Republicans like Trump and Senator Ron Johnson. According to Graves, "Shaw’s analysis argued, 'had the IWF/IWV quiz information messaging not occurred, Trump would have received 215,840 fewer votes. Given that his ultimate margin in Wisconsin was 30,000 or so, this outreach clearly had an impact.' Heather Higgins would later go on to boast about these findings saying, 'Had IWV’s educational messaging not occurred Trump would have received an estimated 215,840 fewer votes in Wisconsin, the state completely written off by all the political professionals.' Overstating your impact is something of a tradition by political creatures, but the prospect of a D.C. group with little name recognition and even less donor transparency achieving even a fraction of its claims in our elections should give any reasonable person pause."<ref> Lisa Graves, [https://madison.com/ct/opinion/column/lisa-graves-who-is-behind-the-dark-money-group-that/article_cacda445-7639-5ddb-b92f-a5c52fb22e05.html Who is behind the dark money group that claims it flipped Wisconsin in 2016?], ''The Cap Times'', February 23 2020.</ref> The Center for Media and Democracy's David Armiak wrote that the TNR report revealed that IWV claimed credit for Scott Walker's 2012 recall win. "According to Higgins, IWV targeted Wisconsin voters using 'interactive phone calls, postcards with questionnaires, and targeted online advertising,' after it found that independents that opposed Walker believed that public employees are underpaid and sacrifice money to stay in their positions. 'Through our educational program, we changed this foundational belief into an understanding that unionized public employees are overcompensated relative to the private sector,' IWV claims. Higgins boasted of this in a speech to CPAC in 2015. IWV launched a website, 'isthatreallyfair.org,' as part of the effort, which also includes a quiz. It is unclear how much the 2012 effort cost Higgins’s groups, and since IWF/V are not required to disclose funders under the tax code, there is no telling who bankrolled the effort."
__TOC__Armiak detailed more IWF/V's Wisconsin funding, including billionaires [[Diane Hendricks]], [[Steven Einhorn]], [[Terry Kohler]]. CMD also identified 28 Foundations and donor conduits that contributed a combined $8 million to IWF between 2011 and 2018.<ref> David Armiak, [https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/02/24/dark-money-womens-group-claims-pivotal-role-2016-presidential-election/ Dark Money “Women’s” Group Claims Pivotal Role in 2016 Presidential Election], Center for Media and Democracy, February 24, 2020.</ref>
==Ties to =Opening of the Koch Brothers and Americans for ProsperityIndependent Women's Law Center===IWF has received funding from several sources with ties announced the launch of a law center to "advocate [..] for equal opportunity, individual liberty, and freedom of association" and "push back against attempts to convince the public that constitutionalist, originalist judges are a threat to women's rights." The "Independent Women's Law Center" (IWLC) is lead by Jennifer C. Braceras and Erin Hawley.<ref>PR Newswire [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iwf-launches-independent-womens-law-center-300927092.html IWF Launches Independent Women's Law Center] IWF Press Release, Sept. 30, 2019</ref> Hawley is IWLC's senior legal fellow, a former clerk to Chief Justice [[Koch brothersJohn G. Roberts, Jr.]]. The , and senior fellow at the University of Missouri's [[Koch family foundationsKinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy]] donated $844. Baracus is the director of IWLC,115 former Staff Assistant in the Office of Vice President Dan Quayle and former law clerk to conservative judges.<ref>IWF between 1998 and 2014 and no fewer than half of the Independent Women’s Forum’s full-time staff previously worked directly for Koch-controlled groups or for entities that received Koch funding[http://iwf.org/about About] organization website, accessed Oct 2.2019</ref name=> In a promotional video, IWLC claims that "left-leaning feminist groups" are attempting to "politicize the federal judiciary" by "cmd reportsmearing"/> conservative justices, such as [[Robert Bork]], Justices [[DonorsTrustClarence Thomas]] and [[Donors Capital FundBrett Kavanaugh]] have contributed over $5 million to IWF from 2002 to 2014. In the video, IWLC declares itself a "voice" for women who "support the nomination of justices who will stay in their constitutionally prescribed lanes." Additionally, IWLC says it was launched in light of renewed calls for judicial reform and the abolition of the electoral college.<ref>American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, IWF [http://conservativetransparencyiwf.org/orgblog/2810700/independentVideo:-womensIntroducing-forum/?og_tot=225&order_by=donor_name+ASC Recipient: Independent -Women's Forum-Law-Center Introducing IWLC], ''ConservativeTransparency.org''organizational site, accessed April 2015Oct 2.2019</ref>
[[Heather Higgins]], ===Pay to Play=======Tobacco Industry====Over the chair of years IWF's board of directors, has attended at least one received funding from [[Koch networkAltria]] summit meeting. Former IWF president , [[Nancy Pfotenhauer]] worked for [[Koch IndustriesPhillip Morris International]] , and has attended multiple vaping giant [[Koch networkJuul]] meetings. Pfotenhauer currently sits on the board of [[Americans for Prosperity]]Without disclosing its its tobacco funding, a key organization in IWF has defended the Kochsvaping industry using Juul' political network.<ref>Americans for Prosperity, [http://americansforprosperity.org/about/directors Directors], organizational website, accessed June 23, 2014s own talking points.</ref>
From 2003 to 2008As Evan Vorpahl and Lisa Graves documented in May 2019, IWF was closely affiliated with the [[Koch brothers]]-founded and -funded [[Americans for Prosperity]].<ref name="Partnership"/><ref>[http://www.desmogblog.com/americans-prosperity-history-research-background-funding Americans The Independent Women’s Forum has published more than a dozen posts advocating for Prosperity deregulation of e- research cigarettes and background information]promoting the benefits of vaping since 2018. Those pieces downplay the adverse health effects of nicotine, ''DeSmog Blog'', accessed February 2013an addictive substance derived from tobacco plants which has been linked to heart disease..</ref> IWF staff registered AFP's websites, AFPHQ.org Some of IWF’s claims backing e-cigs and AmericansForProsperity.org, attacking their regulation have appeared in 2003. The domain names were both registered by Michael BerryUSA Today, who at the time was IWF's chief operating officer<ref>Independent Women's ForumHill, AmericansForProsperity.org and AFPHQThe Washington Examiner.org Domain Registration history, ''WhoIs'' registry, accessed March 2015, Its representatives have also made such claims in media appearances on file with the Center for Media local radio stations and Democracy.</ref><ref>Independent Women's Forum, [https://web.archive.org/web/20040812012207/http://iwf.org/about_iwf/staff_list.asp Staff List], organizational website, archived by the WayBack Machine on August 12, 2004.</ref> and Secretary/Treasurer of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) board of directors.<ref name="AFPF 2004 990"/> At that timeNational Rifle Association’s video arm, both IWF and AFPF listed their address as 1726 M Street, NW, Tenth Floor, Washington, DNRATV.C. The two organizations shared additional personnel, including Nancy Pfotenhauer, who served as both President and Director But in all of these outlets IWF has failed to disclose that it has been funded by tobacco and as President vaping companies determined to re-normalize the use of AFPF, and Arianne Massey, who in 2004 served as COO of IWF and as secretary/treasurer for AFPFtobacco."<ref name="IWF 2004 990juul">Independent Women's ForumEvan Vorpahl and Lisa Graves, "[http://pdfs.citizenauditindependentwomensforum.org/2005_07_EOnews/54pay-to-play-iwf-defends-juul-without-disclosing-1670627_990_200412.pdf 2004 IRS Form 990], organizational tax filing, June 27, 2005.</ref><ref name="AFPF 2004 990">Americans for Prosperity Foundation, [httpjuul-funding Pay-to-Play://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2005_10_EO/52-1527294_990_200412.pdf 2004 IRS Form 990], organizational tax filing, September 13, 2005.</ref> By 2009, IWF and AFPF were listing separate addresses in their tax filings, with IWF giving its address as 4400 Jenifer Street, NW, Washington, D.C.<ref name="IWF 2008 990">Independent Women's Forum, [http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2010_09_EO/54Defends e-1670627_990_200812.pdf 2008 IRS Form 990], organizational tax filing, August 10, 2010.</ref><ref>Americans for Prosperity Foundation, [http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2010_08_EO/52Cigs without Disclosing Funding from e-1527294_990_200912.pdf 2009 IRS Form 990Cig Industry], organizational tax filing, June 28, 2010May 2019.</ref>
==Ties Julie Gunlock, the director of IWF's "Center for Progress and Innovation" has written extensively, echoing the corporate line in pushback to ALEC==commonsense regulation of chemicals in products women, men, and children put on their skin, toxic pesticides sprayed on food, and e-cigs. "Earlier this year, while fighting off regulatory efforts to curb teen abuse of e-cigs, Gunlock wrote that 'teen vaping should also be kept in perspective, rather than positioned as a dire public health emergency' and claimed public health officials were misleading the public by calling the surge an epidemic. She did not disclose IWF’s funding from Altria. Gunlock has also echoed Juul’s exact talking points, such as the line that its products have 'helped millions switch from cigarettes.' What Gunlock does not mention is the number of teens who have become addicted to nicotine because of Juul, and the consequences that may have on their long-term health."
Independent Women’s Forum President Sabrina Schaefer offered In addition to help [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC) legislators “sell” corporate-backed alternatives framing the teenage vaping epidemic as alarmist, Gunlock also downplayed health consequences of nicotine, comparing it to paid sick leavea cup of coffee, equal payand IWF president Carrie Lukas compared vaping regulations to sex ed, quality childcarewriting in ''The Hill'' that "abstinence-only" was the wrong approach. IWF has lobbied repeatedly against tobacco regulation. In February the group lobbied the FDA against banning e-cigarette flavors, which are widely popular among underage users and workplace flexibility in their home states in a meeting with ALEC in July2017 IWF even claimed that regulating e-cigarettes would discriminate against women. The group has been funded by major tobacco companies for decades.<ref name="cmd report"/>
{{about_ALEC}}===IWF and IWV Market Right-Wing Ideas to Reach Independent Women Voters Under the Guise of Neutrality===
The Independent Women’s Forum and its 501(c)(4) affiliate, the Independent Women’s Voice, market themselves to the media and voters as “non-partisan,” “independent,” and “neutral.” An investigation of the groups by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) reveals them to be anything but that.
*In the 2014 Senate races, CMD’s research finds that Independent Women’s Voice spent more than $850,000 on GOP candidates, most of whom had 0% NARAL ratings; it spent more than $5 million that year on related advocacy.
*Higgins also told donors that Independent Women’s Voice made the only significant independent expenditure in Mark Sanford’s 2012 congressional race in South Carolina. She said Independent Women’s Voice worked to convince “evangelicals to hold their nose and vote for Mark in order to be able to hold onto that seat and not have the liberal win it.”<ref name="cmd report"/>
 
==News and Controversies==
===Opening of the Independent Women's Law Center===
IWF announced the launch of a law center to "advocate [..] for equal opportunity, individual liberty, and freedom of association" and "push back against attempts to convince the public that constitutionalist, originalist judges are a threat to women's rights." The "Independent Women's Law Center" (IWLC) is lead by Jennifer C. Braceras and Erin Hawley.<ref>PR Newswire [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iwf-launches-independent-womens-law-center-300927092.html IWF Launches Independent Women's Law Center] IWF Press Release, Sept. 30, 2019</ref> Hawley is IWLC's senior legal fellow, a former clerk to Chief Justice [[John G. Roberts, Jr]], and senior fellow at the University of Missouri's [[Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy]]. Baracus is the director of IWLC, former Staff Assistant in the Office of Vice President Dan Quayle and former law clerk to conservative judges.<ref>IWF [http://iwf.org/about About] organization website, accessed Oct 2. 2019</ref> In a promotional video, IWLC claims that "left-leaning feminist groups" are attempting to "politicize the federal judiciary" by "smearing" conservative justices, such as [[Robert Bork]], Justices [[Clarence Thomas]] and [[Brett Kavanaugh]]. In the video, IWLC declares itself a "voice" for women who "support the nomination of justices who will stay in their constitutionally prescribed lanes." Additionally, IWLC says it was launched in light of renewed calls for judicial reform and the abolition of the electoral college.<ref>IWF [http://iwf.org/blog/2810700/Video:-Introducing-Independent-Women's-Law-Center Introducing IWLC] organizational site, accessed Oct 2. 2019</ref>
===IWF Fellow Calls Gun Control "Sexist," 2013===
In October 2004 the [[Feminist Majority Foundation]] objected to the U.S. [[Department of State]]'s decision to award part of a $10 million grant to IWF for "leadership training, democracy education and coalition building assistance" to women in [[Iraq]]. Then-president of the Feminist Majority Eleanor Smeal said that the IWF "represents a small group of right-wing wheeler-dealers inside the Beltway."<ref>Feminist News, "[http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=8669 State Department Funds Anti-Women's Rights Group To Train Iraqi Women]," October 5, 2004. Accessed July 9, 2014.</ref> The funding was from the [[Iraqi Women's Democracy Initiative]]. In a press release, IWF "denounced" the Feminist Majority's objection, calling it a "radical feminist group," and stated its plan to work with the [[American Islamic Congress]] and the [[Foundation for the Defense of Democracies]].<ref name="iwf assails radical">Independent Women's Forum, "[http://www.iwf.org/media/2434651/IWF-Assails-Radical-Feminist-Groups-Charge IWF Assails Radical Feminist Group's Charge]," press release, October 5, 2004. Accessed July 9, 2014.</ref>
==Ties to the Koch Brothers and Americans for Prosperity==
IWF has received funding from several sources with ties to the [[Koch brothers]]. The [[Koch family foundations]] donated $844,115 to IWF between 1998 and 2014 and no fewer than half of the Independent Women’s Forum’s full-time staff previously worked directly for Koch-controlled groups or for entities that received Koch funding.<ref name="cmd report"/> [[DonorsTrust]] and [[Donors Capital Fund]] have contributed over $5 million to IWF from 2002 to 2014.<ref>American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, [http://conservativetransparency.org/org/independent-womens-forum/?og_tot=225&order_by=donor_name+ASC Recipient: Independent Women's Forum], ''ConservativeTransparency.org'', accessed April 2015.</ref>
 
[[Heather Higgins]], the chair of IWF's board of directors, has attended at least one [[Koch network]] summit meeting. Former IWF president [[Nancy Pfotenhauer]] worked for [[Koch Industries]] and has attended multiple [[Koch network]] meetings. Pfotenhauer currently sits on the board of [[Americans for Prosperity]], a key organization in the Kochs' political network.<ref>Americans for Prosperity, [http://americansforprosperity.org/about/directors Directors], organizational website, accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>
 
From 2003 to 2008, IWF was closely affiliated with the [[Koch brothers]]-founded and -funded [[Americans for Prosperity]].<ref name="Partnership"/><ref>[http://www.desmogblog.com/americans-prosperity-history-research-background-funding Americans for Prosperity - research and background information], ''DeSmog Blog'', accessed February 2013.</ref> IWF staff registered AFP's websites, AFPHQ.org and AmericansForProsperity.org, in 2003. The domain names were both registered by Michael Berry, who at the time was IWF's chief operating officer<ref>Independent Women's Forum, AmericansForProsperity.org and AFPHQ.org Domain Registration history, ''WhoIs'' registry, accessed March 2015, on file with the Center for Media and Democracy.</ref><ref>Independent Women's Forum, [https://web.archive.org/web/20040812012207/http://iwf.org/about_iwf/staff_list.asp Staff List], organizational website, archived by the WayBack Machine on August 12, 2004.</ref> and Secretary/Treasurer of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) board of directors.<ref name="AFPF 2004 990"/> At that time, both IWF and AFPF listed their address as 1726 M Street, NW, Tenth Floor, Washington, D.C. The two organizations shared additional personnel, including Nancy Pfotenhauer, who served as both President and Director of IWF and as President of AFPF, and Arianne Massey, who in 2004 served as COO of IWF and as secretary/treasurer for AFPF.<ref name="IWF 2004 990">Independent Women's Forum, "[http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2005_07_EO/54-1670627_990_200412.pdf 2004 IRS Form 990], organizational tax filing, June 27, 2005.</ref><ref name="AFPF 2004 990">Americans for Prosperity Foundation, [http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2005_10_EO/52-1527294_990_200412.pdf 2004 IRS Form 990], organizational tax filing, September 13, 2005.</ref> By 2009, IWF and AFPF were listing separate addresses in their tax filings, with IWF giving its address as 4400 Jenifer Street, NW, Washington, D.C.<ref name="IWF 2008 990">Independent Women's Forum, [http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2010_09_EO/54-1670627_990_200812.pdf 2008 IRS Form 990], organizational tax filing, August 10, 2010.</ref><ref>Americans for Prosperity Foundation, [http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2010_08_EO/52-1527294_990_200912.pdf 2009 IRS Form 990], organizational tax filing, June 28, 2010.</ref>
{{Template:KochConnection}}
==Ties to ALEC==
Independent Women’s Forum President Sabrina Schaefer offered to help [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC) legislators “sell” corporate-backed alternatives to paid sick leave, equal pay, quality childcare, and workplace flexibility in their home states in a meeting with ALEC in July.<ref name="cmd report"/>
{{about_ALEC}}
==Ties to the Council for National Policy==
As of September 2020, Heather Higgins, chairman of the Independent Women’s Forum, is a gold circle member of the [[Council for National Policy]].
{{Council for National Policy}}
==History==
Founded by [[Rosalie Gaull (Ricky) Silberman]] in 1992, the IWF grew out of the ad hoc group, [[Women for Judge Thomas]].
==Funding==
===2011-2018===
Although IWF is not required to disclose its funders by law, The Center for Media and Democracy uncovered over $8,011,869 to IWF between 2011 and 2018 through an analysis of IRS filings.<ref name="DAIWF">David Armiak, [https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/02/24/dark-money-womens-group-claims-pivotal-role-2016-presidential-election/ Dark Money “Women’s” Group Claims Pivotal Role in 2016 Presidential Election], ''ExposedbyCMD'', February 24, 2020.</ref>
*[[Adolph Coors Foundation]]: $165,000
*[[Bradley Foundation]]: $875,000
*[[Bradley Impact Fund]]: $40,000
*[[Bochnowski Family Foundation]]: $57,500
*[[Castle Rock Foundation]] $50,000
*[[Charles Koch Foundation]]: $9,115
*[[Chase Foundation of Virginia]]: $31,000
*[[Diana Davis Spencer Foundation]]: $90,000
*[[Donors Capital Fund]]: $1,665,000
*[[DonorsTrust]]: $2,547,254
*[[Einhorn Family Foundation]]: $10,000
*[[Helen Diller Family Foundation]]: $10,000
*[[Holman Foundation]]: $115,000
*[[JM Foundation]]: $40,000
*[[John William Pope Foundation]]: $75,000
*[[Judicial Education Project]]: $300,000
*MyWirelessOrg: $20,000
*[[National Christian Charitable Foundation]]: $217,500
*[[Randolph Foundation]]: $682,500
*[[Richard J & Vicoria T Agnich Foundation]]: $48,500
*Salt Institute: $38,000
*[[Sarah Scaife Foundation]]: $350,000
*The Personal Care Products Council: $20,000
*[[Thomas D Klingenstein Fund]]: $25,000
*[[US Chamber of Commerce Foundation]]: $2,500
*[[Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program]]: $380,000
*[[Walton Family Foundation]]: $125,000
*[[William H. Donner Foundation]]: $15,000
*[[Windway Foundation]]: $8,000
 
===1994-2013===
IWF received $16,234,294 in foundation grants between 1994 and 2013 from the following organizations, according to data compiled by the American Bridge 21st Century Foundation's ''Conservative Transparency'' database:<ref name="funding">American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, [http://conservativetransparency.org/recipient/independent-womens-forum/ Independent Women's Forum], ''Conservative Transparency'' recipient profile, accessed April 2015.</ref>
* $77,850, further information not listed (2008).<ref name="IWF 2008 990"/>
===Core Financials=='''<big>2022</big>'''<ref name="2022 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24039424-independent-womens-forum-2022-990 2022 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 21, 2023.</ref>*Total Revenue: $5,163,003*Total Expenses: $5,717,511*Net Assets: $2,675,551 '''<big>2021</big>'''<ref name="2021 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23131475-independent-womens-forum-2021-990 2021 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 13, 2022.</ref>*Total Revenue: $6,569,955*Total Expenses: $3,441,242*Net Assets: $3,230,059 '''<big>2020</big>'''<ref name="2020 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21177163-independent-womens-forum-2020-990 2020 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 2, 2021.</ref>*Total Revenue: $5,680,509*Total Expenses: $5,008,664*Net Assets: $101,346 '''<big>2019</big>'''<ref name="2019 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20494441-independent-womens-forum-2019-990 2019 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 3, 2020.</ref>*Total Revenue: $3,751,181*Total Expenses: $3,032,297*Net Assets: $-570,499 '''<big>2018</big>'''<ref name="2018 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6783970-Independent-Women-s-Forum-2018-990.html 2018 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 18, 2019.</ref>*Total Revenue: $3,221,034*Total Expenses: $3,713,784*Net Assets: $-1,288,657 
'''<big>2017</big>'''<ref name="2017 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5912361-Independent-Women-s-Forum-2017-990.html 2017 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, August 17, 2018.</ref>
*Total Revenue: $2,183,643
==Personnel==
===Staff===
As of April 2019January 2021:<ref name="staff">Independent Women's Forum, [httphttps://www.iwf.org/about Aboutthe-women-of-iwf/?alphabet=&issue=&department=#search-filters Staff], organizational website, accessed April 2019January 2021.</ref>
* Carrie L. Lukas, President
* Amber Schwartz, Executive Vice President
* Meghan Agostinelli, Communications Coordinator
* Dr. Qanta Ahmed, Senior Fellow
* Vicki E. Alger, Senior Fellow
* Cassie Alsfeld, Senior Digital Marketing Advisor
* Jenny Avis, Membership Director
* Kelsey Bolar, Senior Policy Analyst
* Andrea Bottner, Senior Adviser
* Jennifer C. Braceras, Director Independent Women's Law Center
* Sekayi Brunson, Graphic Design Lead
* Laura Carno, Senior Fellow
* Natalie Cassase, Communications Assistant
* Maria Chaplia, Visiting Fellow
* Ellie Cohanim, Senior Fellow
* Victoria R. Coley, Vice President of Communications
* Caroline PhelpsSomerlyn Cothran, Senior Director Vice President of CommunicationsInvestor Relations* Sarah Culver, Digital Marketing Coordinator* Rachel DiCario Currie, Senior Fellow* May Davis, Senior Fellow* Samantha Dravis, Visiting Fellow* Frances Floresca, IWN Content Coordinator* Elizabeth TewGinny Gentles, Communications SpecialistSenior Fellow* Betsy PearsonJulie Gunlock, Communications Director Center for Progress and Staff AssistantInnovation* Beverly Hallberg, Senior Fellow* Annorah Harris, Junior Legal Fellow* Cassie AlsfeldErin Hawley, CopywriterSenior Legal Fellow* Ericka Andersen SylvesterCharlotte Hayes, Digital Marketing Senior Editor and Directorof Cultural Programs* Michele VogtGabriella Hoffman, Visiting Fellow* McKenzie Holmes, Communications Assistant* Brianna Howard, Social Media DirectorManager* Emily Jashinsky, Visiting Fellow* Jennifer Kabbany, Visiting Fellow* Ashley Kaitz, Communicaitons Intern* Natalie Le, Communications and Policy Assistant* Karin Agness Lips, Senior Fellow* Sekayi Stephens[[Angela Logomasini]], Graphic Design LeadSenior Fellow
* Ashley MacLeay, Director of External Relations
* Andi BottnerHeather Madden, Director of Operations and Policy Research * Elisha Maldonado, Senior AdviserFellow* Somerlyn CothranHadley Heath Manning, Senior Vice President Director of Investor RelationsPolicy* Jennifer MarquezAdriana McLamb, Digital Marketing Director of Foundation Relations
* Casidy McMeans, Development Associate
* Jamie WhitefieldMeaghan Mobbs, Investor Relations CoordinatorVisiting Fellow* Hadley Heath ManningJean Morrow, Visiting Fellow* Abigail Nobel, Visiting Fellow* Maya Noronha, Visiting Fellow* Patrice Lee Onwuka, Director of Policythe Center for Economic Opportunity* Marilyn Quigley, Visiting Fellow* Lorena Riely, Senior Administrative Officer* Naomi Schaefer Riley, Senior Fellow* Heather MaddenClaudia Rosett, Director of Operations and Foreign PolicyFellow* Julie GunlockLisa Schiffren, Director for Progress and InnovationSenior Fellow* Charlotte HayesKristin Shapiro, Senior Editor and Director of Cultural ProgramsFellow* Patrice Lee OnwukaCarrie Sheffield, Senior Policy Analyst* Jennifer Stefano, Visiting Fellow
* Inez Feltscher Stepman, Senior Policy Analyst
* Elizabeth Tew, Communications Director
* Christina Villegas, Senior Fellow
* Michele Vogt, Digital Media Director
* Charlotte Whelan, Policy Analyst
* Hannah Zakaria, Visting Fellow
'''Former Staff'''
* Meghan Liuzzo, Communications Intern
* Sekayi Stephens, Graphic Design Lead
* Ebonique Ellis, Marketing Manager
* Cassie Alsfeld, Senior Digital Marketing Advisor
* Jennifer Marquez, Director of Foundation Relations
* Jamie Whitefield, Investor Relations Coordinator
* Caroline Phelps, Senior Director of Communications
* Betsy Pearson, Communications and Staff Assistant
* Ericka Andersen Sylvester, Digital Marketing Director
* Whitney Garrison Athayde, Director of Development
* Celia Meyer, Communications Associate
===Senior '''Former Fellows===As of April 2019:<ref name="staff"/>* Karin Agness Lips* Vicki E. Alger'''
* Jennifer Braceras
* Amy Oliver Cooke
* Rachel DiCario Currie
* Erin Hawley
* [[Angela Logomasini]]
* Elisha Maldonado
* Naomi Schaefer Riley
* Claudia Rosett
* Kristin Shapiro
* Lisa Schiffren
* Amber Smith
* Christina Villegas
 
'''Former Fellows'''
* Charlotte Allen
* Krista Kafer
*[[Gayle Trotter]]
'''Former Visiting Fellows'''* Mandy Gunasekara
* Laura Camo
* Sara Carter
* Melissa Ortiz
* Dr. Jamie Wells
 
'''Former Visiting Fellows'''
* Jennifer Marsico
* Lane Scott
=== Board of Directors ===
As of April 2019January 2021:<ref name="staff">Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.iwf.org/board-of-directors/ Board of Directors], organizational website, accessed January 2021.</ref>
* [[Heather Higgins]] - Chairman
* [[Yvonne S. Boice]]
* Tarren Bragdon
* [[Giovanna Cugnasca]]
* The Hon. Nan Hayworth
* Adele MalpassMike Leven
* Abby Moffat
* Myles Pollin
'''Former Directors'''
* Adele Malpass
* [[Elizabeth Biar]]
* [[Kellyanne Conway]]
===Leadership Circle===
As of April 2019February 2020:<ref name="staff"/>
* [[Sabrina Schaeffer]], Leadership Circle Chair
*[[Mindy Berry]]
==Articles and Resources==
===IRS Form 990 Filings===
<div class="docframe">
<p>2021</p>
<p>{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24039424-independent-womens-forum-2022-990|width=350|height=250}}</p>
</div>
<div class="docframe">
<p>2021</p>
<p>{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23131475-independent-womens-forum-2021-990|width=350|height=250}}</p>
</div>
<div class="docframe">
<p>2020</p>
<p>{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21177163-independent-womens-forum-2020-990|width=350|height=250}}</p>
</div>
<div class="docframe">
<p>2019</p>
<p>{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20494441-independent-womens-forum-2019-990|width=350|height=250}}</p>
</div>
<div class="docframe">
<p>2018</p>
<p>{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6783970-Independent-Women-s-Forum-2018-990.html|width=350|height=250}}</p>
</div>
<div class="docframe">
<p>2017</p>
*[[Anne Morse]]
*[[Candace de Russy]] - Member of advisory board
*[[Independent Women's Voice]]
===External Articles===
* David Armiak, ''[https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/02/24/dark-money-womens-group-claims-pivotal-role-2016-presidential-election/ Dark Money “Women’s” Group Claims Pivotal Role in 2016 Presidential Election]'', ''ExposedbyCMD.''
* Evan Vorpahl and Lisa Graves, ''[http://independentwomensforum.org/news/pay-to-play-iwf-defends-juul-without-disclosing-juul-funding Pay-to-Play: IWF Defends e-Cigs without Disclosing Funding from e-Cig Industry]'', ''Unmasking the 'Independent' Women's Forum and Voice.''
* Elinor Burkett, ''[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684833085/104-8143374-2265516?v=glance The Right Women: A Journey Through the Heart of Conservative America]'', Scribner, ; ASIN: 0684833085, March 1998. (This book looks at the IWF, as well as other conservative women's groups).
* [http://amptoons.poliblog.com/blog/000421.html IWF heads down the toilet], ''Alas a Blog'', November 28, 2003.
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