First Liberty Institute

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The First Liberty Institute is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) Christian Right litigation center focused on making arguments in the name of religious liberty.[1] The organization has been tax exempt since 1973.[2]

The First Liberty Institute is an associate member of the State Policy Network (SPN), a group of right-wing think tanks and other politically-active nonprofits.

News and Controversies

Letter to University of Colorado

In January 2023, after hiring Colorado's new head football coach, Deion Sanders, the university discovered he was engaging in public prayer with his staff and other players. While it is not a problem for Sanders to practice his religion privately, if Sanders were to engage in public prayer as an employee of a public university, students may be faced with "the dilemma of participating in Coach Sanders' religious activities against their freedom of conscience, or risk damaging their relationship with the coach by opting out." [3] The First Liberty Institute wrote a letter to the university claiming that the university had unconstitutionally censored Sanders after the university gave him guidance on how to practice his religion without violating students rights. FFRF writes in response to the Institute's claim, "Coach Sanders does not lose his constitutional right to free exercise of religion simply because he is an employee at CU. 'Yet, giving guidance on the boundaries in which players and coaches may and may not engage in religious expression,' presents a risk of state-sponsored censorship of Coach Sanders' private speech."

Department of Veterans Affairs Abortion Policies

In January 2023, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch filed an amicus brief "in the Western District of Texas in the case of Carter v. McDonough." [4] The lawsuit Carter v. McDonough filed by First Liberty Institute claims that Carter "cannot perform, prescribe, or counsel for abortions, or work in a facility that performs abortion services for reasons other than to save the life of the mother because...unborn babies are created in the image of God and should be protected."

Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk Connection

In April 2017, while serving as Deputy General Counsel, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who has made news for outlawing abortion-inducing pill mifepristone, wrote an article criticizing "Obama-era protections for transgender people and those seeking abortions."[5] Before the article was released Kacsmaryk had his name taken off as author and instead had two of his colleagues at FLI names placed on it instead. The timing of the article happened to coincide with his judicial appointment.

Ties to the State Policy Network

The First Liberty Institute is an associate member of the State Policy Network (SPN). SPN is a web of right-wing “think tanks” and tax-exempt organizations in 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. As of June 2024, SPN's membership totals 167. Today's SPN is the tip of the spear of far-right, nationally funded policy agenda in the states that undergirds extremists in the Republican Party. SPN Executive Director Tracie Sharp told the Wall Street Journal in 2017 that the revenue of the combined groups was some $80 million, but a 2022 analysis of SPN's main members IRS filings by the Center for Media and Democracy shows that the combined revenue is over $152 million.[6] Although SPN's member organizations claim to be nonpartisan and independent, the Center for Media and Democracy's in-depth investigation, "EXPOSED: The State Policy Network -- The Powerful Right-Wing Network Helping to Hijack State Politics and Government," reveals that SPN and its member think tanks are major drivers of the right-wing, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)-backed corporate agenda in state houses nationwide, with deep ties to the Koch brothers and the national right-wing network of funders.[7]

In response to CMD's report, SPN Executive Director Tracie Sharp told national and statehouse reporters that SPN affiliates are "fiercely independent." Later the same week, however, The New Yorker's Jane Mayer caught Sharp in a contradiction. In her article, "Is IKEA the New Model for the Conservative Movement?," the Pulitzer-nominated reporter revealed that, in a recent meeting behind closed doors with the heads of SPN affiliates around the country, Sharp "compared the organization’s model to that of the giant global chain IKEA." She reportedly said that SPN "would provide 'the raw materials,' along with the 'services' needed to assemble the products. Rather than acting like passive customers who buy finished products, she wanted each state group to show the enterprise and creativity needed to assemble the parts in their home states. 'Pick what you need,' she said, 'and customize it for what works best for you.'" Not only that, but Sharp "also acknowledged privately to the members that the organization's often anonymous donors frequently shape the agenda. 'The grants are driven by donor intent,' she told the gathered think-tank heads. She added that, often, 'the donors have a very specific idea of what they want to happen.'"[8]

A set of coordinated fundraising proposals obtained and released by The Guardian in early December 2013 confirm many of these SPN members' intent to change state laws and policies, referring to "advancing model legislation" and "candidate briefings." These activities "arguably cross the line into lobbying," The Guardian notes.[9]

Ties to the Council for National Policy

First Liberty Institute's founding president and CEO, Kelly Shackelford, is a "Gold Circle" member of the Council for National Policy as of September 2020.

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.

History

The First Liberty Institute was founded in 1997 by Kelly Shackelford, who remains its president and CEO. The organization has gone through several name changes in its history:[10]

  • 1997: Liberty Legal Institute, division of the Free Market Foundation
  • 2009: Liberty Institute
  • 2014: Military Division founded
  • 2016: First Liberty Institute

Funding

The First Liberty Institute is not required to disclose its funders but major foundation supporters can be found through their IRS filings. Here are some known contributors:

  • Adolph Coors Foundation: $30,000 (2020)
  • American Endowment Foundation: $277,358 (2016-2021)
  • American Online Giving Foundation Inc: $13,591 (2020-2022)
  • Anderson Stewart Family Foundation: $100,000 (2020)
  • Arizona Community Foundation: $22,150 (2020-2022)
  • Ayco Charitable Foundation: $11,050 (2021)
  • Bailey Family Foundation: $20,150 (2016-2021)
  • Baker Community Foundation: $1,000 (2020)
  • Bank Of America Charitable Foundation: $2,500 (2017-2021)
  • Barbara Allen Charitable Foundation: $40,000 (2020-2022)
  • Bill & Katie Weaver Charitable Trust: $10,000 (2020-2021)
  • Bill And Katie Weaver Charitable Trust: $5,000 (2019)
  • Boyd And Joan Kelley Charitable Foundation: $11,000 (2017-2021)
  • Breunig Family Foundation: $1,500 (2016-2017)
  • Carl H And Edyth B Lindner Foundation: $100,000 (2020)
  • Cary Brown Family Foundation: $50,000 (2019-2021)
  • Chicago Community Trust: $50,000 (2021)
  • Christian Community Foundation Inc: $420,750 (2020-2022)
  • Christian Community Foundation Of Memphis And The Mid-South: $125,000 (2019-2022)
  • Colegato Foundation: $3,000 (2017)
  • Community Foundations Of Texas: $610,279 (2016-2022)
  • Dallas Foundation: $102,000 (2016-2021)
  • Dallas Seminary Foundation: $372,965 (2016-2022)
  • Dan And Martha Lou Beaird Foundation: $2,500 (2017-2019)
  • David And Lezlie Hudiburg Family Foundation: $20,000 (2017-2018)
  • David S Baum Foundation Inc: $5,000 (2021)
  • Debra E And Warner C Lusardi Foundation: $15,000 (2019)
  • Demery Family Foundation Inc: $20,000 (2021-2022)
  • Denman Family Foundation: $4,000 (2016-2021)
  • Donors Trus: $25,500 (2021)
  • Eaves Family Foundation C/O Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt Llp: $1,500 (2020-2022)
  • Ebs Foundation C/O Pinnacle Bank: $500 (2021)
  • Evb Christian Family Foundation: $8,000 (2020-2021)
  • Farrell Family Foundation: $2,525 (2021)
  • Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund: $1,684,475 (2017-2021)
  • For Giving Foundation Inc: $5,000 (2020-2021)
  • Foundation For Church Growth: $3,000 (2019-2021)
  • Fuller Foundation: $12,000 (2016-2017)
  • Gaby Family Foundation Co Bridges & Dunn-Rankin Llp: $110,000 (2020-2021)
  • George E Seay Iii Foundation: $20,000 (2018-2019)
  • Ginger Murchison Foundation: $50,000 (2020-2021)
  • God's Gift: $94,000 (2021)
  • Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund: $7,500 (2021)
  • Greater Houston Community Foundation: $1,145,250 (2017-2021)
  • Grojean Family Foundation: $10,000 (2018)
  • Hammack Family Foundation: $40,000 (2021)
  • Hatton W Sumners Foundation For The Study And Teaching Of Self-Government: $70,000 (2018-2019)
  • Helen Johnston Family Foundation: $1,500 (2019-2021)
  • Horizon Foundation: $80,000 (2017-2018)
  • Horst Foundation: $24,000 (2020-2021)
  • Immanuel Charitable Foundation: $15,000 (2021-2022)
  • Jane And Bud Smith Family Foundation: $1,000 (2016)
  • Jc Ferguson Foundation: $80,000 (2018-2021)
  • Jim Hicks Family Foundation: $15,000 (2016-2018)
  • John P & Kathryn G Evans Foundation: $1,200 (2021-2022)
  • John Stiger Ferry Charitable Foundation: $25,000 (2017)
  • Jonna And Jill Foundation Inc: $10,000 (2020)
  • Jpmorgan Chase Foundation: $6,085 (2016-2019)
  • Kenneth And Alice Martin Family Foundation Inc: $5,000 (2021)
  • Ken W Davis Foundation: $30,000 (2020-2021)
  • Kohl Foundation: $50,000 (2020-2021)
  • Lazof Family Foundation Inc Lazof: $1,000 (2021)
  • Lazy A Foundation: $10,000 (2020-2021)
  • Lupe Murchison Foundation: $450,000 (2020-2021)
  • [[Lynde And Harry Bradley Foundation Inc: $110,000 (2020-2021)
  • Manna International Charitable Foundation]]: $15,000 (2015-2020)
  • Margaret Cb And S Spencer N Brown Foundation: $2,900 (2016-2021)
  • Martin And Arlyn Shields Family Foundation: $5,000 (2019)
  • Mcbrayer Family Foundation: $3,000 (2019-2021)
  • Micron Industries Charitable Foundation: $4,000 (2021)
  • Miller Foundation Inc: $30,000 (2020-2021)
  • Mills Family Foundation: $2,500 (2018)
  • Mitchell Foundation: $100,000 (2017)
  • Mitchell Foundation: $100,000 (2021)
  • Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust: $5,000 (2018)
  • Moriah Foundation: $348,000 (2019-2021)
  • National Christian Charitable Foundation: $4,105,420 (2016-2021)
  • National Philanthropic Trust: $916,000 (2017-2021)
  • Nicholas And Kathleen Mayall Memorial Foundation: $2,500 (2016-2020)
  • Paul & Barbara Flowers Foundation: $4,000 (2020-2022)
  • Paul And Barbara Flowers Foundation: $3,000 (2017-2018)
  • Psalms Foundation: $699,786 (2015-2021)
  • Quest Family Foundation: $21,000 (2017-2021)
  • Quinn Family Foundation Inc C/O Bartlett Pringle & Wolf Llp: $1,000 (2021)
  • Racho Santa Fe Foundation: $94,500 (2017-2021)
  • Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund: $34,100 (2016-2021)
  • Richard And Ellen Gilleland Foundation: $2,000 (2017-2018)
  • R Keith Cullinan Family: $8,000 (2019-2021)
  • Robert E And Judith M Lamberth Charitable Foundation: $5,000 (2021)
  • Rose Family Foundation: $10,000 (2018)
  • San Antonio Area Foundatio: $5,000 (2019)
  • Schwab Charitable Fund: $2,382,576 (2016-2022)
  • Seegers Foundation: $35,000 (2018-2021)
  • Servant Foundation: $296,400 (2019-2022)
  • Shell Oil Company Foundation: $18,000 (2017-2021)
  • Silicon Valley Community Foundation: $25,000 (2018-2019)
  • Soonae Foundation: $15,000 (2018)
  • Stephen Philibosian Foundation: $6,500 (2016-2021)
  • Storz Charitable Trust: $1,000 (2019)
  • Strake Foundation: $5,000 (2021)
  • Sumners Foundation: $14,000 (2020)
  • Susan & Leander Jennings Foundation: $900 (2017-2021)
  • Terrell And Patsy Small Family Foundation: $35,000 (2018-2021)
  • Thomas R Leonard Foundation: $4,100 (2017-2021)
  • Tulsa Community Foundation: $29,000 (2019-2021)
  • United Charitable: $10,000 (2018)
  • Usatransform: $735,000 (2020-2021)
  • Usher Family Foundation: $4,000 (2020-2021)
  • Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program: $26,600 (2021)
  • Walker Foundation: $25,000 (2021)
  • Waterstone Supporting Organization Trust: $25,000 (2020)
  • Weir Foundation: $2,000 (2020)
  • Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation: $58,950 (2019-2021)
  • William H And Ella W Mcmahan Foundation: $8,000 (2017-2018)
  • William Scott Mace Foundation: $2,000 (2020-2021)
  • Wohleber Family Foundation Inc: $50,000 (2020)
  • Wormald Family Foundation Inc The C/O Robert K Wormald: $2,000 (2022)

Core Financials

2021[11]

  • Total Revenue: $25,974,312
  • Total Expenses: $19,847,586
  • Net Assets: $21,058,735

2020[12]

  • Total Revenue: $18,813,950
  • Total Expenses: $14,742,679
  • Net Assets: $14,932,009

2019[13]

  • Total Revenue: $14,810,344
  • Total Expenses: $11,622,940
  • Net Assets: $10,683,872

2018[14]

  • Total Revenue: $11,932,389
  • Total Expenses: $11,467145
  • Net Assets: $7,496,468

2017[15]

  • Total Revenue: $11,410,038
  • Total Expenses: $9,964,182
  • Net Assets: $7,031,224

2016[16]

  • Total Revenue: $10,099,518
  • Total Expenses: $8,483,098
  • Net Assets: $5,585,368

2015[17]

  • Total Revenue: $8,292,977
  • Total Expenses: $8,639,237
  • Net Assets: $3,968,947

2014[18]

  • Total Revenue: $8,241,792
  • Total Expenses: $8,062,474
  • Net Assets: $4,315,208

Personnel

Staff

As of June 2023:[19] Executive Leadership

  • Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO, and chief counsel
  • David Holmes, exec. vice president, chief operating/financial officer
  • Jeff Mateer, exec. vice president, chief legal officer

Management Team

  • Lori Ross, Senior Director of Recruiting and Special Projects
  • Steve Purdum, Chief Development Officer
  • Hiram Sasser, Executive General Counsel
  • David Hacker, Vice President of Litigation & Senior Counsel
  • Michael Berry, VP of External Affairs, Dir of Military Affairs & Sr Counsel
  • Trey Dimsdale, Executive Director of CRCD
  • Bryan Dempsey, Senior Director of Marketing

Legal Team

  • Justin Butterfield, Deputy General Counsel
  • Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel
  • Stephanie Taub, Senior Counsel
  • Roger Byron, Senior Counsel
  • Danielle Runyan, Senior Counsel
  • Andrew W. Gould, Senior Counsel
  • Keisha Toni Russell, Counsel
  • Lea Patterson, Counsel
  • Ryan Gardner, Counsel
  • Becky Dummermuth, Counsel
  • Holly Randall, Associate Counsel
  • Kassie Dulin, Director of Government Affairs and Counsel
  • Maya M. Noronha, Special Counsel for External Affairs
  • Kayla Toney, Associate Counsel
  • Matt Krause, Of Counsel
  • Courtney Jones, Legal Fellow
  • Lisa Holmes, Head of Client Outreach
  • Lila Prothro, Client Outreach Support Specialist
  • Chris Freund, Director of Media Relations
  • John Manning, Media Manager
  • Peyton Luke, Media Specialist
  • Joyce Flo, Senior Legal Assistant
  • Carol Carrillo, Paralegal/Legal Assistant
  • Dacie Aukes, Legal Assistant

Ministry Relations

  • Steve Purdum, senior director, ministry relations
  • Don Spak, ministry relations development officer
  • Clark Whitley, ministry relations development officer
  • Terry Yates, ministry relations development officer
  • Mike Cahill, ministry relations development officer
  • Nathan Shackelford, ministry relations development officer
  • Chip Dutchik, Ministry Relations Development Officer
  • Taylore Burchfield, Ministry Relations Development Officer
  • Tony Guajardo, Ministry Relations Development Officer
  • Alex McGavic, Ministry Relations Development Officer
  • Christa Tarr, Ministry Relations Development Officer
  • Don Billetts, Ministry Relations Development Officer
  • Graham Pifer, Ministry Relations Development Officer
  • Michaela Willows, Process Manager
  • Olga Figueroa, Ministry Relations Manager
  • Ashley Valle, Donor Outreach Specialist
  • Jill Hawkins, Donor Outreach Specialist
  • Jan LaDue, senior events manager
  • April West, events director
  • Isabell Barineau, event specialist
  • Sydney Swift, Events Coordinator
  • Robin Neace, Ministry Relations Admin

Institute and Legacy Planning

  • Jordan Ballor, Director of Research
  • Jillian Barr, Programs Director
  • Stephen Presley, Senior Fellow for Religion and Public Life
  • Morgan Miller, Alumni Relations Manager

Other Staff

  • Austin Waugh, Senior Director of Accounting and Legacy Planning
  • Howard Goldthwaite, Senior Director of Creative Strategy
  • Georgia Miller, Director of Human Resources
  • Stuart Shepard, multimedia director
  • Bryan Rogers, digital marketing director
  • Kathy Cho, art director
  • Jorge Gomez, content strategist, senior writer
  • Jared Besse, digital marketing coordinator
  • Sarah Merino, Digital Marketing Coordinator
  • Megan Moses, Digital Marketing Coordinator
  • Jared Sturgill, Graphic Designer
  • Lisa Patterson, assistant to the president
  • Cory O'Neill, director of information technology
  • James Pacheco, IT Support Specialist
  • Jonathan Williams, IT Support Specialist
  • Phillip Hawkins, senior director of data management
  • Steve Hopper, Data Analyst
  • Larissa Daggett, senior program support specialist
  • Robin DeMarino, Administrative Assistant
  • Kim Liptak, Front Desk

Board of Directors

As of April 2023:[11]

  • Tim Dunn, vice chair, executive committee, board
  • Mark Cover, chair, executive committee, board
  • Al Angel, executive committee, board
  • James Robertson, executive committee, board
  • David Tauber, board
  • Deborah Muse Carlson, board
  • Dale Brown, executive committee, board, secretary
  • Jerry Brown, board
  • Paco Jordan, board
  • Jody Thornton, board
  • David Moore, board

Past Board Members

Contact Information

First Liberty Institute
Headquarters
2001 West Plano Parkway, Suite 1600
Plano, TX 75075

Phone: (972) 941-4444
Phone (Media): (972) 941-4453
Email (Media): media@firstliberty.org

Articles and Resources

Related SourceWatch

IRS Form 990 Filings

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

References

  1. ↑ First Liberty, About Us, organizational website, accessed March 29, 2021.
  2. ↑ Guidestar, First Liberty Institute, organizational website, accessed March 29, 2021.
  3. ↑ Freedom From Religion Foundation,[ https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/42057-first-liberty-institute-shows-speciousness-in-attack-on-univ-of-colorado], First Liberty Institute shows speciousness in attack on Univ. of Colorado, Freedom From Religion Foundation accessed May 25, 2023,
  4. ↑ Nick Mordowanec,[ https://www.newsweek.com/woman-helped-overturn-roe-leads-fight-against-veteran-affairs-1775404 Woman Who Helped Overturn Roe Leads Fight Against Veterans Affairs], Newsweek, January 20, 2023,
  5. ↑ Caroline Kitchener, Robert Barnes and Ann E. Marimow,[ https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/04/15/matthew-kacsmaryk-law-review/ The controversial article Matthew Kacsmaryk did not disclose to the Senate], The Washington Post, April 15, 2023,
  6. ↑ David Armiak, State Policy Network and Affiliates Raises $152 Million Annually to Push Right-Wing Policies, ExposedbyCMD, September 30, 2022.
  7. ↑ Rebekah Wilce, Center for Media and Democracy, EXPOSED: The State Policy Network -- The Powerful Right-Wing Network Helping to Hijack State Politics and Government, organizational report, November 13, 2013.
  8. ↑ Jane Mayer, Is IKEA the New Model for the Conservative Movement?, The New Yorker, November 15, 2013.
  9. ↑ Ed Pilkington and Suzanne Goldenberg, State conservative groups plan US-wide assault on education, health and tax, The Guardian, December 5, 2013.
  10. ↑ First Liberty, History & Timeline, organizational website, accessed March 29, 2021.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 First Liberty Institute, 2021 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, April 11, 2022.
  12. ↑ First Liberty Institute, 2020 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, April 10, 2021.
  13. ↑ First Liberty Institute, 2019 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, April 10, 2020.
  14. ↑ First Liberty Institute, 2018 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, April 10, 2020.
  15. ↑ First Liberty Institute, 2017 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, April 10, 2019.
  16. ↑ First Liberty Institute, 2016 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, March 9, 2018.
  17. ↑ First Liberty Institute, 2015 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, April 13, 2017.
  18. ↑ First Liberty Institute, 2014 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, February 11, 2016.
  19. ↑ FLI, [1], FLI, Accessed June 2, 2023
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