Citizens for Self-Governance

Citizens for Self-Governance (CSG), formerly John Hancock Committee of the States and doing business as Convention of States Foundation, is a right-wing political organization led by Mark Meckler and Eric O'Keefe that is campaigning for an Article V convention to amend the U.S. Constitution.

CSG's website states that it "will elevate awareness and provide resources, advocacy, and education to support organizations and individuals exercising their rights to govern themselves." CSG has sued the IRS over its investigation of whether certain politically active organizations were incorrectly filing as non-profits. Through its "Convention of States" project, CSG promotes an effort to amend the U.S. Constitution pursuant to Article V, which provides that thirty-four states (two-thirds) can trigger a convention to propose an amendment, which must then be ratified by 38 states (three-fourths).

Eric O'Keefe is the Chairman of the Board, he has deep ties to Charles and David Koch and has been a founder and funder of numerous right-wing groups including Wisconsin Club for Growth, which is central to the so-called "John Doe" criminal probe involving Governor Scott Walker. O'Keefe has fought back against the probe through the press and the courts and has involved CSG in that fight. In 2015, CSG launched the website WisconsinJohnDoe.com. CSG also reportedly funded a variety of lawsuits connected to the John Doe, including a 2014 lawsuit in Wisconsin to end enforcement of the state campaign finance law on illegal coordination between dark money groups and candidates (see below).

O'Keefe and Meckler run the related non-profits Convention of States Action and CSG Action.

News and Controversies

Citizens for Self-Governance Club at Hillsdale College

In February 2018, a group of students at Hillsdale College, including Meckler's daughter Lucy Meckler, founded the first campus Citizens for Self-Governance club. According to the Collegian, a student newspaper at Hillsdale College, "the club has connections to internships for their parent organization as well as opportunities for lobbying for legislation which aligns with their agenda"

Stance on Black Lives Matter and Transgender People

In a June 2020 edition of his video blog The BattleCry with Mark Meckler, Meckler said that "Black Lives Matter as an organization is evil. It is anti-American, it is anti-nuclear family; they say this on their website. It is pro-transgender- it's a mental illness by the way, you can't be pro-mental illness it's a terrible thing." Meckler also told viewers that there is a danger in labeling ANTIFA or BLM a terrorist organization because "most business insurance policies have an exception, in other words they don't cover terrorist incidents. And so that would mean if a business gets burned down and they've been declared a terrorist organization, no insurance coverage, so we've got to watch out for what we ask for."

In response to Black Lives Matter protests around the country, Meckler told his viewers in July of 2020 that "I'm sick of these thugs and these hooligans, whatever you want to call them, criminals, radical elements in society, Marxists, whatever you want to call them, running wild in our society, running rampant in our society."

Campaign for a Constitutional Convention to Amend the U.S. Constitution

Through its Convention of States Action project, CSG is pushing for a constitutional convention in order to to severely restrict federal power, for example by redefining the Commerce Clause to prohibit Congress from enacting protections against child labor laws , or by adding a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. CSG has promoted this strategy in workshops at the 2012 and 2013 annual conference of ALEC, which has published a "how-to" manual for an Article V constitutional amendment and offers a "model" resolution, the "Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution." In June 2016, Jim DeMint, formerly head of the Heritage Foundation became a senior advisor to COS.

"Various activist groups have sought to amend the constitution on specific points through an Article V convention before, but few have been as well-funded or as ideologically driven as the Convention of States Project, steeped in evangelical Christianity and backed by millions of dollars in dark money. Between 2011 and 2015, the group’s budget more than tripled to $5.7 million—buoyed by donations from the Mercer Family Foundation and various donor-advised funds linked to the Koch brothers," Brendan O'Connor reported in June 2017. Arn Pearson of the Center for Media and Democracy said “Convention of States is a much more radical approach to a constitutional convention... Their budget has increased dramatically. This is their effort to push the state agenda as far as they can while they hold peak power.”

Mock Constitutional Convention

Convention of States hosted a three-day simulated constitutional convention in September 2016 in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. The promotional video, invoking a sense of nostalgia, describes the city as the place "where liberty was born". A nearly seven-hour video of the "historic simulation" is available on the organization's YouTube channel here. The mock convention passed amendments related to right-wing agenda items, easing the process to repeal federal regulations, requiring approval to increase the national debt, imposing congressional term limits, repealing the 16th amendment, limiting the Commerce Clause and requiring a supermajority to impose federal taxes.

Convention of States Article V Application Gaining Momentum

In March 2014, the Convention of States application was passed by the state of Georgia, making it the nation's first. During the 2017 legislative session, COS introduced wide-ranging resolutions calling for a broad convention to limit the powers of the federal government in 24 states and won passage in four, Arizona, Missouri, North Dakota, and Texas, bringing the total number of states to pass COS resolutions to 12, as of June 2017. Most of the states that have passed Convention of State resolutions are in the deep south, prompting some critics to call it the “New Confederacy.”

Lawsuits

CSG Funds Suit Against IRS Claiming Politically Active Nonprofits Unfairly Targeted (2013)

CSG funded a class action lawsuit filed in 2013 on behalf of a number of right-wing and Tea Party groups against the IRS. The suit argues that the plaintiffs, who had filed for tax-exempt status as "social welfare" groups, were unfairly "targeted... for intensive and intrusive scrutiny" because of "their apparent dissent from the policies or ideology of the Executive Branch of the United State Government under its current Administration." The plaintiffs sought "unspecified monetary damages for the IRS's alleged violation of the Privacy Act of 1974 and the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution," according to the Chicago Tribune. As of July 2015, the suit had not been resolved.

During the 2012 election campaign, a number of groups that filed for tax-exempt status were flagged by the IRS for extra review over whether the groups were engaged primarily in political, rather than social welfare, activity. An IRS field office in Ohio identified some organizations using a list of keywords, including "Tea Party" and "patriots," prompting accusations from right-wing groups that the reviews were partisan and politically motivated. However, documents obtained by USA Today show that while the majority of groups that received extra scrutiny in 2010 were right-leaning, many liberal or progressive organizations were also flagged for review; furthermore, many "social welfare nonprofits" stated on their IRS applications that they would not spend any money on activities related to the election, but did in fact spend funds on election-related advertising and activities, as Pro Publica reported, and politically active social welfare nonprofits spent some $256 million during the 2012 elections.

CSG Funds Challenge to Wisconsin Law on Illegal Campaign Coordination

In a 2014 lawsuit that was funded by CSG, CRG Network challenged the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board's (GAB) definition of illegal campaign coordination, claiming that it has a constitutional right to coordinate with political candidates. CRG Network, which does not disclose its donors, "told the court it want[ed] to collaborate with" several candidates for political office and to create a website and run ads in the 2014 election, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The lawsuit addressed the issue at the heart of a John Doe investigation into possible illegal campaign coordination related to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and other groups including CSG board member Eric O'Keefe's Wisconsin Club for Growth (WiCFG). One of O'Keefe's main complaints about the John Doe investigation, as described by his lawyer, David Rivkin, is that it was "chilling" free speech and the ability of political organizations to raise and spend money in Wisconsin, claims that were echoed by CRG Network's lawsuit. CRG originally formed to pursue the recall effort that helped Walker become Milwaukee County Executive, and it has also been represented in this and other lawsuits by Rivkin.

In October 2014, an order blocking enforcement of the coordination rule was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Randa, who as CMD reported regularly attended all-expenses paid "judicial junkets" funded by the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, and other ideological and corporate interests. As of November 2014, the case is on hold while CRG Network petitions the Wisconsin Supreme Court to rule on how to interpret campaign finance law regarding coordination.

Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council

CSG was a "Chairman" level sponsor of the 2013 annual conference of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Chicago. That level of sponsorship, which cost an estimated $50,000, included four invitations to all VIP events, four conference registrations, a VIP photo opportunity, advertising, and the opportunity to have a "workshop" with legislators or the introduction to one of its luncheons. CSG was also listed as a sponsor of ALEC's host committee that year. (See the brochure here.) CSG was also listed as a sponsor for the 2014 ALEC conference in Washington, D.C., and paid for breakfast for ALEC legislators to hear Mark Levin, radio host and president of the Landmark Legal Foundation, urge state legislators to support a constitutional convention.

CSG Pushes Constitutional Convention at ALEC Conferences

CSG has held workshops on its constitutional amendment strategy during at least two ALEC conferences. At the 2013 workshop, titled "Calling a Convention of the States: The Constitutional Check on the Abuses of Federal Power," CSG president Mark Meckler announced the launch of the Convention of States project.

CSG Advises ALEC Members to Avoid "States' Rights" Language

In a workshop at the 2013 ALEC meeting, Michael Farris, a Senior Fellow at CSG, advised ALEC members on messaging and warned against the use of terms like "states rights."

"It's not about states rights, it's about local control," he said.

States rights is associated with slavery, Farris said, but by using terms like "local control," "you just steer the language in the proper direction."

About ALEC

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

Ties to the Council for National Policy

As of September 2020, CSG's president and CEO Mark Meckler was a "Gold Circle" member of the Council for National Policy.

Council for National Policy

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

Funding

CSG files its tax forms under the names Citizens for Self-Governance and John Hancock Committee for the States. CSG does not disclose its donors; however, organizations that have reported making contributions to CSG include:

• Alan And Jill Miller Foundation: $10,000 (2021)
• Alice Kleberg Reynolds Meyer Foundation Frost National Bank Trust: $10,000 (2020)
• Amrod Charitable Foundation: $300,000 (2018)
• Armstrong Foundation: $10,000 (2015-2021)
• Blake Family Charitable Foundation: $10,000 (2021)
• Chicago Community Trust: $26,000 (2019-2020)
• Columbus Foundation: $45,000 (2017-2021)
• Communities Foundation of Texas: $10,000 (2018)
• Donors Capital Fund: $2,500,000 (2015-2016)
• DonorsTrust $931,916 (2011-2021)
• Dunn Foundation: $100,000 (2018)
• Dunn’s Foundation for the Advancement of Right Thinking: $300,000 (2010-2011)
• Einhorn Family Foundation: $5,000 (2016)
• Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund: $862,840 (2018-2021)
• Fisher Koch Family Foundation: $50,000 (2020)
• Gogo Foundation: $115,000 (2016-2022)
• Greater Houston Community Foundation: $2,023,650 (2011-2012)
• Henry E Haller JR Foundation: $50,000 (2015-2018)
• James Madison Institute: $55,000 (2010-2012)
• Jim Hicks Family Foundation: $10,000 (2017-2018)
• John 316 Foundation: $11,500 (2019-2021)
• John P and Kathryn G Evans Foundation: $3,600 (2019-2021)
• Lee Family Foundation: $77,500 (2016-2022)
• Mercer Family Foundation: $500,000 (2014)
• National Christian Charitable Foundation: $603,900 (2016-2021)
• National Philanthropic Trust: $50,000 (2020)
• Nord Family Foundation: $2,500 (2019)
• Obx Inc: $10,000 (2021)
• Quesenbery Educational Trust: $30,000 (2018-2020)
• Quinn Family Charitable Foundation: $2,000 (2022)
• Randolph Foundation: $5,000 (2021)
• Schwab Charitable Fund: $276,310 (2019-2021)
• Sparks Foundation: $6,000 (2015-2016)
• The 85 Fund: $400,000 (2016)
• Thomas R Gross Family Foundation: $2,500 (2020)
• The Armstrong Foundation: $5,000 (2015)
• The Middlemas Family Foundation: $5,000 (2017)
• Thomas W. Smith Foundation: $100,000 (2017)
• Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program: $7,609,000 (2012-2021)
• Venner Family Foundation: $15,000 (2021-2022)
• William S & Ann Atherton Foundation: $5,000 (2018)
• Winston Salem Foundation: $5,000 (2020)
• Woodford Faith and Freedom Foundation: $30,000 (2020)
• Woodford Foundation: $15,000 (2020-2021)

Core Financials

2022

• Total Revenue: $1,536,162
• Total Expenses: $2,161,712
• Net Assets: $1,433,813

Grants Distributed

• America First Legal Foundation: $10,000
• Empower Texas Foundation: $40,000
• Hillsdale College: $10,000
• Landmark Legal Foundation: $20,000
• Media Research Center: $80,000
• Texas Public Policy Foundation: $30,000

2021

• Total Revenue: $2,182,722
• Total Expenses: $1,702,596
• Net Assets: $2,059,363

Grants Distributed

• America First Legal Foundation: $10,000
• Empower Wisconsin Foundation: $50,000
• Prager University Foundation: $20,000
• Texas Public Policy Foundation: $10,000

2020

• Total Revenue: $1,894,565
• Total Expenses: $2,358,754
• Net Assets: $1,579,237

Grants Distributed

• 1789 Alliance: $216,300
• Vanguard Charitable Trust: $515,000

2019

• Total Revenue: $1,130,823
• Total Expenses: $2,786,310
• Net Assets: $2,043,426

Grants Distributed

• American Independent Media: $30,000
• China Aid Association: $20,000
• Empower Wisconsin Foundation: $50,000
• Vanguard Charitable Trust: $270,000

2018

• Total Revenue: $4,315,911
• Total Expenses: $1,919,347
• Net Assets: $3,698,913

2017

• Total Revenue: $4,685,891
• Total Expenses: $4,634,915
• Net Assets: $1,302,349

2016

• Total Revenue: $4,248,044
• Total Expenses: $4,866,704
• Net Assets: $1,251,374

2015

• Total Revenue: $5,736,398
• Total Expenses: $4,260,676
• Net Assets: $2,320,850

2014

• Total Revenue: $4,806,280
• Total Expenses: $4,006,096
• Net Assets: $845,128

2013

• Total Revenues: $2,254,811
• Total Expenses: $2,122,662
  • Graves Bartle Marcus and Garrett LLC, Kansas City, MO: $315,296 (legal fees)
  • Coalition Partners, N7130 North Lost Lake Road, Randolph, WI, 53956: $240,000 (consulting) (The address listed is associated with R.J. Johnson, a political strategist who has advised Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Wisconsin Club for Growth.)
• Net Assets: $44,944

2012

• Total Revenues: $1,207,183
• Total Expenses: $1,281,408
• Net Assets: $-87,205

Grants Distributed

• 1851 Center for Constitutional Law: $7,000
• The Head Spring Group: $25,000
• Lucy Burns Institute: $20,000 (The president of LBI, Leslie Graves, is the wife of CSG board member Eric O'Keefe.)
• Sutherland Institute: $30,000
• James Madison Institute: $30,000

2011

• Total Revenues: $1,849,589
• Total Expenses: $1,910,939
• Net Assets: $-12,980

Grants Distributed

• 1851 Center for Constitutional Law: $7,000
• Tea Party Patriots: $50,000
• Texas Public Policy Foundation: $124,000
• James Madison Institute: $25,000

2010

• Total Revenues: $1,043,752
• Total Expenses: $995,382
  • Langemark, Lafayette, CO: $107,744 (public affairs/research)
  • Market Street, LLC, Arlington, VA: $157,446 (public affairs/research)
• Net Assets: $48,370

Personnel

As of December 2022:

Staff

• Mark Meckler, President, CEO, and Founder. Meckler, an attorney, is also a co-founder of Tea Party Patriots and contributes to Breitbart.com and American Spectator.
• Patty Meckler, Vice President of External Relations
• Michael Ruthenberg, COO
• Robert Kelly, General Counsel & CFO
• Timothy Murphy, Chief Financial Officer

Former Staff

• Jason Girard, Grassroots Director
• Jonathan Schneck, Director of Communications
• Seth Jeacopello, Chief Technology Officer
• Michael Tranchina, Chief Technology Officer

Board of Directors

• Tim Dunn, Director
• Mark Meckler, President and CEO
• Eric O'Keefe, Chairman
• Robert Kelly, CFO

Former Directors

• Mark Rollins, Director

Contact Information

Employer Identification Number (EIN): 27-1657203

Citizens for Self-Governance
5850 San Felipe
Suite 575A
Houston, TX 77057
Websites: http://www.selfgovern.com, http://www.conventionofstates.com, http://www.suetheirs.com, http://www.wisconsinjohndoe.com
Email: info@selfgovern.com
Telephone: (512) 943-2014
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Citizens4sg
Twitter: @Self_Governance
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC0eXtGEMvjxpdYQl2LUiVw

Articles and Resources

IRS Form 990 Filings

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Application for Tax-Exempt Status

1023 Application

Related SourceWatch Articles

• Eric O'Keefe
• Convention of States Action
• CSG Action

External Articles

• David Armiak, Radical Resolution Calling for a Constitutional Rewrite Passes Wisconsin Assembly, ExposedbyCMD.
• David Armiak, Convention of States Fires Up Base for Push to Rewrite U.S. Constitution, ExposedbyCMD.
• Mary Bottari, Infighting, Legal Questions Slow ALEC Push for Second Constitutional Convention, ExposedbyCMD.
• Arn Pearson, Koch Convention to Rewrite Constitution Runs Into Roadblocks, ExposedbyCMD.
• Alex Kotch, Kochs Bankroll Move to Rewrite the Constitution, ExposedbyCMD.