John William Pope Foundation

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The John William Pope Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization describing itself as making grants "to improve the well-being of North Carolinians by advancing the ideas of limited government, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and strong communities."[1] Chaired by North Carolina businessman Art Pope, who owns Variety Wholesalers Inc, the John William Pope Foundation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

A 2010 analysis of tax records revealed that donations from the John William Pope Foundation accounted for approximately 90% of the income of major conservative nonprofits in North Carolina, such as SPN Members John Locke Foundation and Civitas Institute, as well as the North Carolina branch of Americans for Prosperity.[2]

News and Controversies

Controversy Surrounding NC Innovation

At a NC Innovation (NCI) board meeting on February 14, 2024, board member Art Pope raised concerns about “GAAP compliance” and filed a request for an official audit. He wrote in this request: “Respectfully, I do not believe that as of December 7, 2023 NCInnovation was managing its records, accounts and financial reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)”. As NCI received $250 million in taxpayer funds in the fall of 2023, and was set to recieve another $250 million on July 1, 2024, these compliance issues call attention to the uncomprehensive vetting process undertaken by bureaucrats and legislators and have the capacity to limit state funding in the future.[3]

The censuring of NCI by Art Pope and the John Locke Foundation (JLF), which he co-founded, has been criticized by NCI. In early April, Erica Shrader, NCI’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs, sent a letter addressing the “inaccurate information” about the organization published by JLF and its media arm, the Carolina Journal.[4]

Art Pope Appointed to University of North Carolina Board of Governors

In June 2020, North Carolina's state senate appointed Art Pope to serve a one-year term on the University of North Carolina's Board of Governors.[5][6]

Funded American Media Institute, Part of a Right-Wing Megadonor Media Push

Center for Media and Democracy names John William Pope Foundation in a 2020 investigation of right-wing megadonors funding of media platforms. The report focuses on the foundation's funding of American Media Institute (AMI), noting how AMI "bills itself as an independent investigative news service, but from 2015-16, DonorsTrust, Donors Capital Fund, the John William Pope Foundation, and the Sarah Scaife Foundation gave it nearly $6.1 million, which was more than two-thirds of its total revenue."[7]

Pope Foundation Grants UNC-Chapel Hill $10 Million

In April 2018, the John William Pope Foundation committed $10 million to UNC Chapel Hill to support For All Kind: the Campaign for Carolina. “The foundation supports the challenge to give back to UNC’s ‘strategic triad’ of teaching, research and public service”, Art Pope said. The Foundations contribution went to the following initiatives:[8]

Helped Fund InfluenceWatch, the Right-Wing Copy of SourceWatch

John William Pope Foundation contributed $50,000 towards the creation of Influence Watch, a right-wing copy of SourceWatch launched in 2017 by Capital Research Center and supported by Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.[9]

Funds NC "Bathroom Bill"

Although Art Pope publicly denied funding organizations that supported North Carolina House Bill 2, which bans transgender people from using bathrooms aligning with their gender identity, Pope financially supported the elections of many of the pro-bill legislators and the governor who signed it. Additionally, the Pope Foundation donated $1.5 million over the years to groups that supported HB2, including the N.C. Family Policy Council, Family Research Council, and Alliance Defending Freedom.[10]

Ties to the State Policy Network

The Pope Foundation is a major funder of the State Policy Network, contributing over $87.3 million to SPN, its members, and associate members between 1993-2018. (See below) 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.[11] 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.[12]

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.'"[13]

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.[14]

Ties to the Koch Brothers

John William Pope Foundation contributed $1,465,000 to the Koch-founded nonprofit Americans for Prosperity (AFP) from 2014 to 2017. In 2010, a report named John William Pope Foundation as AFP's second-largest institutional funder.[15] Americans for Prosperity, along with FreedomWorks, served as a principal organizer in Tea Party Patriots protests in 2009.[16]

Between 2004 and 2016, John William Pope Foundation and its Civitas Insitute received $92,586 from Koch Family Foundations.

Koch Wiki

Charles Koch is the right-wing billionaire owner of Koch Industries. As one of the richest people in the world, he is a key funder of the right-wing infrastructure, including the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the State Policy Network (SPN). In SourceWatch, key articles on Charles Koch and his late brother David include: Koch Brothers, Americans for Prosperity, Stand Together Chamber of Commerce, Stand Together, Koch Family Foundations, Koch Universities, and I360.

Ties to The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation

The Pope Foundation is closely tied to the Bradley Foundation. Art Pope serves as President of the Bradley Foundation.[17] Also, between 2012 and 2016 the Pope Foundation and its Civitas Institute received $869,000 from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. See: Contributions of the Bradley Foundation

Bradley Files

In 2017, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), publishers of SourceWatch, launched a series of articles on the Milwaukee-based Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, exposing the inner-workings of one of America's largest right-wing foundations. 56,000 previously undisclosed documents laid bare the Bradley Foundation's highly politicized agenda. CMD detailed Bradley's efforts to map and measure right wing infrastructure nationwide, including by dismantling and defunding unions to impact state elections; bankrolling discredited spin doctor Richard Berman and his many front groups; and more.

Find the series here at ExposedbyCMD.org.

Funding

Donors Capital Fund and DonorsTrust

Since its inception in 1999, DonorsTrust has been used by conservative foundations and individuals to discretely funnel nearly $400 million to like-minded think tanks and media outlets.[18] In 2013, the Center for Media and Democracy released a special report on SPN. Those who received DonorsTrust funding included media outlets such as the Franklin Center and the Lucy Burns Institute, as well as think tanks such as the SPN itself, Heartland Institute, Illinois Policy Institute, Independence Institute, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, South Carolina Policy Council, American Legislative Exchange Council, Manhattan Institute, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, and Cascade Policy Institute.[19]

Between 2010 and 2015, John William Pope Foundation's think tank, Civitas Institute received at least $120,785 combined from Donors Capital Fund and DonorsTrust. These two organizations advertise themselves as a way for donors to remain hidden, especially when "funding sensitive or controversial issues."[20] (See DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund Grant Recipients for more).

Grants Distributed

2022

The John William Pope Foundation distributed $15,686,414 in 2022. The entities that received grants are broken down as follows:[21]

2021

The John William Pope Foundation distributed $14,673,717 in 2021. The entities that received grants are broken down as follows:[22]

  • 50can: $15,000
  • Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty: $10,000
  • Acts of Vance County: $15,000
  • Alliance Medical Ministry: $­60,000
  • America's Future: $10,000
  • American Council of Trustees and Alumni: $10,000
  • American Enterprise Institute: $25,000
  • American Institute for Economic Research: $15,000
  • American Juris Link: $25,000
  • American Legislative Exchange Council: $25,000
  • Antonin Scalia Law School at GMU: $50,000
  • Archbridge Institute: $25,000
  • Artsplosure: $15,000
  • Ashbrook Center at Ashland University: $40,000
  • Asheville School: $550,500
  • Atlas Network: $90,000
  • Autism Society of NC: $5,000
  • Ava Gardner Museum Inc: $30,000
  • Backstretch Employee Services Team of NY: $5,000
  • Belmont Abbey College: $40,000
  • Best NC-NC Buisness Leaders for Education: $30,000
  • Boys & Girls Club of North Central NC: $20,000
  • Calvin Collidge Presidential Foundation Inc: $25,000
  • Camp Corral: $15,000
  • Campbell University: $50,000
  • Capital Research Center: $75,000
  • Carolina Ballet: $50,000
  • Carolina Liberty Foundation: $5,000
  • CASA: $10,000
  • Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh: $20,000
  • Cato Institute: $25,000
  • Center for Equal Opportunity: $10,000
  • Center for Urban Renewal and Education: $10,000
  • Clemson University Foundation - Institute for the Study of Capitalism: $75,000
  • College of Charleston Foundation - The Center for Public Choice and Market Process: $35,000
  • Community Housing Coalition of Madison County: $50,000
  • Community Music School: $20,000
  • Competitive Enterprise Institute: $190,000
  • Concordia University: $10,000
  • Corral Riding Academy: $13,500
  • Coweta Samaritan Clinic Inc: $15,000
  • Daniel Center For Math And Science: $60,000
  • Defence of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies: $20,000
  • Donors Trust: $250,000
  • Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy: $10,000
  • Dress for Success Triangle Inc: $25,000
  • Duke University: $­273,000
  • Emmaus House of Raleigh: $50,000
  • Fair Lines America Foundation: $250,000
  • Falcon Children's Home and Family Services: $51,217
  • Federalist Society: $75,000
  • Fellowship Home of Raleigh: $20,000
  • Fire DBA Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression: $60,000
  • Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC: $25,000
  • Foundation for Economic Education: $30,000
  • Foundation for Government Accountability: $25,000
  • Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity: $110,000
  • Franklin News Foundation: $­125,000
  • Fraser Institute: $15,000
  • Free to Choose Network: $15,000
  • Full Gospel Tabernacle: $25,000
  • Georgia Center for Opportunity: $40,000
  • Gigi's Presbyterian Church: $5,000
  • Godwin Presbyterian Church: $5,000
  • Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation: $89,000
  • The Green Chair Project: $25,000
  • Habitat for Humanity of Wake County: $25,000
  • The Heartland Institute: $10,000
  • Helping Horse: $10,000
  • Henderson YMCA: $50,000
  • The Heritage Foundation: $150,000
  • Hill Learning Center: $50,000
  • Hope Reins: $13,000
  • Independent Institute: $­25,000
  • Independent Women's Forum: $25,000
  • Institute for Energy Research: $50,000
  • Institute for Family Studies: $125,000
  • Institute for Free Speech: $60,000
  • Institute for Humane Studies: $475,000
  • Institute for Justice: $75,000
  • Institute of Political Leadership: $50,000
  • Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $­6,000
  • Interfaith Prison Ministry for Women: $30,000
  • James G Martin Center: $450,000
  • Jesse Helms Center Foundation: $50,000
  • Jobs for Life: $10,000
  • John Locke Foundation: $3,927,000
  • Junior Achievement of Eastern NC: $10,000
  • Kidznotes: $10,000
  • Libertas Institute: $10,000
  • Liberty & Law Center at GMU Scalia Law: $10,000
  • Life Experiences: $5,000
  • Life Line Outreach Inc: $10,000
  • Lincoln Network: $45,000
  • Loaves & Fishes Ministry: $18,000
  • Lucy Burns Institute: $­50,000
  • Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $50,000
  • Madison County Arts Council: $25,000
  • Manhattan Institute: $­125,000
  • Masonic Home for Children at Oxford: $25,000
  • Mercatus Center: $260,000
  • MyFutureNC: $25,000
  • National Association of Scholars: $125,000
  • National Review Institute: $75,000
  • National Taxpayers Union Foundation: $50,000
  • NC Freeenterprise Foundation: $155,000
  • NC Institute for Constitutional Law: $255,000
  • NC Museum of Art Foundation: $50,000
  • NC Youth Legislative Assembly Administration: $5,000
  • NCSU Foundation: $­66,000
  • Neighbor to Neighbor: $20,000
  • Network of Enlightened Women: $10,000
  • Nevada Policy Research Institute: $10,000
  • New Civil Liberties Alliance: $50,000
  • New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program: $50,000
  • North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence: $20,000
  • North Carolina Master Chorale: $20,000
  • North Carolina Opera Company: $35,000
  • North Carolina Symphony: $50,000
  • Note in the Pocket: $25,000
  • Oak City Cares: $10,000
  • Occoneechee Council­ - BSA: $15,000
  • Pacific Legal Foundation: $10,000
  • Pacific Research Institute: $­15,000
  • Parents for Educational Freedom in NC: $50,000
  • People United for Privacy: $35,000
  • Performance Edge: $7,500
  • Philadelphia Society: $50,000
  • Philanthropy Roundtable: $75,000
  • Philharmonic Association Inc: $10,500
  • Pope Family Eagle Scout Scholarship: $20,000
  • Preservation NC: $10,000
  • Prevent Child Abuse NC: $75,000
  • Property and Environment Research Center: $15,000
  • Public Interest Legal Foundation: $85,000
  • Raleigh Camerata: $5,000
  • Raleigh Charter High School: $50,000
  • Raleigh Fine Arts Society: $30,000
  • Raleigh Little Theatre: $15,000
  • Raleigh Rescue Mission: $75,000
  • Ravenscroft School: $175,000
  • Real Clear Foundation: $­50,000
  • Reality Ministries: $10,000
  • Reason Foundation Inc: $180,000
  • Rebuilding Together of the Triangle: $25,000
  • Safe Families for Children Alliance: $25,000
  • Safechild: $15,000
  • Salvation Army of Wake County: $15,000
  • SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals: $35,000
  • Speech First: $30,000
  • State Financial Officers Foundation: $25,000
  • State Policy Network: $270,000
  • Stepup Ministry: $30,000
  • Student Free Press Association: $20,000
  • Surry Arts Council: $45,000
  • Tahoe Fund: $­5,000
  • Tammy Lynn Center: $20,000
  • Tax Foundation: $50,000
  • Teneo: $10,000
  • The Educational Foundation: $133,333
  • The Embassy Cultural Center Foundation: $35,000
  • The Fund for American Studies: $210,000
  • The Joel Fund: $5,000
  • Tholos Foundation: $25,000
  • Thomas B Fordham Institute: $65,000
  • Thoroughbred Charities of America: $10,000
  • Transitions Lifecare: $25,000
  • Triangle Special Hockey Association: $5,000
  • TROSA: $25,000
  • Turning Point Community Development: $20,000
  • UNC CH Philosophy Politics & Economics: $500,000
  • UNC Health Foundation: $666,667
  • Virginia Episcopal School: $50,000
  • White Memorial Presbyterian Church: $25,000
  • Wake Forest University: $25,000
  • Wingate University: $­14,000
  • With Love From Jesus: $5,000
  • YMCA of the Triangle: $10,000
  • Young America's Foundation: $20,000
  • Young Voices: $10,000

2020

The John William Pope Foundation distributed $12,204,263 in 2020. The entities that received grants are broken down as follows:[23]

  • 50can: $15,000
  • Acton Institute for the Study of Religion: $5,000
  • Acts of Vance County: $15,000
  • Alliance Medical Ministry: $­25,000
  • American Enterprise Institute: $10,000
  • American Institute or Economic Research: $5,000
  • American Juris Link: $20,000
  • American Legislative Exchange Council: $25,000
  • American Studies Center ­- Radio America: $­10,000
  • America's Future Foundation: $6,500
  • Archbridge Institute: $15,000
  • Artsplosure: $10,000
  • Ashbrook Center at Ashland University: $35,000
  • Asheville School: $542,500
  • Atlas Network: $25,000
  • Backstretch Employee Services Team of NY: $5,000
  • Belmont Abbey College: $35,000
  • Boys & Girls Club of North Central NC: $10,000
  • Boys and Girls Homes of NC: $­10,000
  • Buckeye Institute: $10,000
  • Camp Corral: $15,000
  • Campbell University: $50,000
  • Capital Research Center: $50,000
  • Carolina Ballet: $50,000
  • Carolina Liberty Foundation: $6,000
  • CASA: $10,000
  • Catholic Charities Raleigh Diocese: $20,000
  • Cato Institute: $50,000
  • Charitable Allies Inc: $5,000
  • Civitas Institute: $841,000
  • Classical Liberals in the Carolinas: $­15,000
  • Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism: $25,000
  • Coalition NC: $10,000
  • College of Charleston Foundation: $28,335
  • Community Music School: $15,000
  • Competitive Enterprise Institute: $30,000
  • Corral Riding Academy: $15,000
  • Coweta Samaritan Clinic Inc: $10,000
  • Daniel Center for Math and Science: $20,000
  • Dress for Success Triangle Nc: $15,000
  • Duke University: $­223,000
  • Embassy Cultural Center Foundation: $­35,000
  • Fair Lines America Foundation: $250,000
  • Federalist Society: $50,000
  • Fellowship Home of Raleigh: $15,000
  • Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC: $10,000
  • Foundation for Economic Education: $20,000
  • Foundation for Government Accountability: $50,000
  • Foundation for Individual Rights in Education: $50,000
  • Franklin News Foundation: $­15,000
  • Fraser Institute: $10,000
  • Freedomworks: $­50,000
  • Full Gospel Tabernacle Church: $25,000
  • Girl Scouts NC Coastal Pines: $5,000
  • Godwin Presbyterian Church: $8,000
  • Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation: $46,128
  • The Green Chair Project: $75,000
  • Habitat or Humanity of Wake County: $20,000
  • Helping Horse: $5,000
  • Henderson YMCA: $15,000
  • Heritage Foundation: $10,000
  • Hope Reins: $10,000
  • Independent Institute: $­10,000
  • Independent Women's Forum: $25,000
  • Institute for Energy Research: $10,000
  • Institute for Free Speech: $60,000
  • Institute for Humane Studies: $425,000
  • Institute for Justice: $75,000
  • Institute of Political Leadership: $50,000
  • Interact: $5,000
  • Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $­10,000
  • Interfaith Prison Ministry for Women: $20,000
  • Iron Light Labs: $­95,000
  • James G Martin Center: $450,000
  • Jesse Helms Center Foundation: $50,000
  • Jobs for Life: $10,000
  • John Locke Foundation: $3,433,000
  • Jonathan Project: $100,000
  • Junior Achievement of Eastern NC: $10,000
  • Kidznotes: $10,000
  • Law & Econ Center at GMU: $25,000
  • Liberty Justice Center: $25,000
  • Life Experiences: $5,000
  • Lincoln Network: $30,000
  • Loaves & Fishes Ministry: $15,000
  • Lucy Burns Institute Ballotpedia: $­175,000
  • Manhattan Institute: $­35,000
  • Masonic Home for Children at Oxford: $25,000
  • Mercatus Center at GMU: $135,000
  • Methodist Home for Children: $5,000
  • NAMI NC: $50,000
  • National Review Institute: $65,000
  • National Taxpayers Union: $35,000
  • NC Business Leaders for Education (Best NC): $30,000
  • NC Center on Actual Innocence: $20,000
  • NC Family Policy Council: $­160,000
  • NC Freeenterprise Foundation: $57,800
  • NC Institute for Constitutional Law: $250,000
  • NC Master Chorale: $12,500
  • NC Museum of Art Foundation: $30,000
  • NC Opera Company: $30,000
  • NC Symphony: $20,000
  • NCSU Foundation: $­53,000
  • Network of Enlightened Women: $10,000
  • New Civil Liberties Alliance: $40,000
  • New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program: $50,000
  • Note in the Pocket: $5,000
  • Occoneechee Council­bsa: $55,000
  • Pacific Legal Foundation: $10,000
  • Pacific Research Institute: $­15,000
  • Parents for Educational Freedom in NC: $90,000
  • Performance Edge: $5,000
  • Philanthropy Roundtable: $75,000
  • Philharmonic Association Inc: $5,000
  • Preservation NC: $10,000
  • Prevent Child Abuse NC: $50,000
  • Property and Environment Research Center: $15,000
  • Public Interest Legal Foundation: $85,000
  • Raleigh Camerata: $4,000
  • Raleigh Charter High School: $25,000
  • Raleigh Little Theatre: $112,500
  • Raleigh Rescue Mission: $50,000
  • Ravenscroft School: $150,000
  • Real Clear Foundation: $­50,000
  • Reality Ministries: $10,000
  • Reason Foundation Inc: $20,000
  • Rebuilding Together Of the Triangle: $10,000
  • Safe Families for Children Alliance: $15,000
  • Safe Haven for Cats: $5,000
  • Safechild: $10,000
  • Salvation Army of Wake County: $15,000
  • SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals: $25,000
  • Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen: $5,000
  • Speech First: $25,000
  • State Policy Network: $140,000
  • Stepup Ministry: $30,000
  • Student Free Press Association: $20,000
  • Tahoe Fund: $­5,000
  • Tax Foundation: $55,000
  • Teneo: $10,000
  • The Educational Foundation: $133,333
  • The Fund for American Studies: $60,000
  • The Joel Fund: $5,000
  • Thoroughbred Charities of America: $10,000
  • Transitions Lifecare: $15,000
  • TROSA: $25,000
  • UNC College of Arts & Sciences: $80,000
  • UNC Health Foundation: $666,667
  • UNC CH Arts and Sciences Fund: $500,000
  • Urban Ministries of Wake County: $5,000
  • Virginia Episcopal School: $25,000
  • Wake Forest University: $25,000
  • Western Carolina University Foundation: $30,000
  • White Memorial Presbyterian Church: $25,000
  • Wingate University: $­10,000
  • YMCA of the Triangle: $10,000
  • Young America's Foundation: $25,000
  • Young Voices: $5,000

2019

The John William Pope Foundation distributed $11,157,283 in 2019. The entities that received grants are broken down as follows:[24]

2018

The John William Pope Foundation gave at least $5,826,817 to SPN, its members, and associate members in 2018. These groups, as well as other entities that received grants in 2018, are broken down as follows:[25]

2017

The John William Pope Foundation gave at least $7,112,383 to SPN, its members, and associate members in 2017. These groups, as well as other entities that received grants in 2017, are broken down as follows:[26]

2016

The John William Pope Foundation gave at least $7,138,300 to SPN, its members, and associate members in 2016. These groups, as well as other entities that received grants in 2016, are broken down as follows:[27]

2015

The John William Pope Foundation gave at least $6,668,394 to SPN, its members, and associate members in 2015. These groups, as well as other entities that received grants in 2015, are broken down as follows:[28]

2014

The John William Pope Foundation gave at least $6,668,394 to SPN, its members, and associate members in 2015. These groups, as well as other entities that received grants in 2015, are broken down as follows:[29]

Funding the Right Wing

Funding SPN and SPN State Think Tanks

TOTAL to SPN, SPN Members, and Associate Members July 1, 1993 - June 30, 2013: $56,191,325.50, broken down as follows:[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]

Additional Conservative Think Tank Organizations

TOTAL to Additional Right Wing Think Tanks July 1, 1993 - June 30, 2013: $2,829,500, broken down as follows:[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]

Core Financials

2022[21]

  • Total Revenue: $5,809,394
  • Total Expenses: $16,958,498
  • Net Assets: $131,459,944

2021[22]

  • Total Revenue: $4,289,615
  • Total Expenses: $16,043,333
  • Net Assets: $142,608,657

2020[23]

  • Total Revenue: $13,295,527
  • Total Expenses: $13,546,572
  • Net Assets: $154,362,375

2019[24]

  • Total Revenue: $9,179,794
  • Total Expenses: $12,605,782
  • Net Assets: $184,496,300

2018[25]

  • Total Revenue: $7,827,537
  • Total Expenses: $12,027,743
  • Net Assets: $162,320,323

2017[26]

  • Total Revenue: $11,815,345
  • Total Expenses: $14,081,877
  • Net Assets: $165,699,433

2016[27]

  • Total Revenue: $5,238,985
  • Total Expenses: $12,476,797
  • Net Assets: $172,937,245

2015[28]

  • Total Revenue: $15,941,873
  • Total Expenses: $11,273,387
  • Net Assets: $168,268,759

2014 [46]

  • Total Revenue: $50,855,270
  • Total Expenses: $10,355,507
  • Net Assets: $168,268,759

2013 [46]

  • Total Revenue: $5,890,684
  • Total Expenses: $8,475,852
  • Net Assets: $127,934,445

2012 [46]

  • Total Revenue: $9,373,410
  • Total Expenses: $10,554,990
  • Net Assets: $130,228,075

2011 [46]

  • Total Revenue: $3,781,931
  • Total Expenses: $10,173,720
  • Net Assets: $131,409,655

Personnel

As of July 2024:[47]

Staff

  • John Hood, President
  • Valerie Pencook, Program Director
  • Iris Turner, Administrative Director
  • Jacob Chace, Program Officer

Former Staff

  • Anna Martina, Blundell Fellow
  • Clarice Smith, Program Manager
  • David N. Bass, Communications Director and Grants Officer
  • David W. Riggs, Vice President of Operations and Programs
  • Earle Pope
  • Lindsay Hollandsworth, Communications Director
  • Sarah Glad, Program Officer

Board of Directors

  • James Arthur "Art" Pope, Chairman
  • John Hood, President
  • Amanda J. Pope, Vice Chairman
  • Earle Pope
  • Joyce L. Pope
  • David Stover
  • Michael Smith
  • Michael Mcknight

Former Board of Directors

  • John William Pope, Sr.
  • John William Pope, Jr.
  • Joyce W. Pope

Contact Information

EIN: 58-1691765
Phone: 919-861-6445
Fax: 919-790-9526
Email: info@jwpf.org
Website: https://jwpf.org/
Facebook: @PopeFoundation
Twitter: @PopeFoundation

Address

John William Pope Foundation
Landmark Center One
4601 Six Forks Rd., Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27609

Articles and Resources

IRS Form 990 Filings

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Related SourceWatch

References

  1. ↑ John William Pope Foundation, Mission and Principles, foundation website, accessed July, 2024.
  2. ↑ Chris Kromm, Institute for Southern Studies, "North Carolina's Art Pope: Staying in control", Facing South, Oct. 19, 2010. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016, accessed September 9, 2020.
  3. ↑ Jeff Moore, Due Diligence: NCInnovation board member calls for state auditor investigation, Carolina Journal, March 27, 2024.
  4. ↑ A.P. Dillon, NCInnovation fires back at right-leaning think tank, North State Journal, May 1, 2024.
  5. ↑ Lisa Sorg, "Senate approves wealthy Republican donor Art Pope for UNC Board of Governors", NC Policy Watch, June 26, 2020, accessed September 10, 2020.
  6. ↑ Jack Stripling, "Adding Republican ‘Godfather’ to Its Ranks, U. of North Carolina Board Solidifies Its Hard-Right Rep", Chronicle of Higher Education, June 29, 2020, accessed September 10, 2020.
  7. ↑ Alex Kotch, "Right-Wing Megadonors Are Financing Media Operations to Promote Their Ideologies", PR Watch, January 27, 2020, accessed September 10, 2020.
  8. ↑ University Communications, UNC-Chapel Hill receives $10 million commitment from Pope Foundation to advance core areas of excellence and service, UNC-Chapel Hill, April 23rd, 2018.
  9. ↑ David Armiak, "‘Influence Watch’ Website Launched: Berman, ALEC, Heartland Copy CMD’s Sourcewatch.org Site", PR Watch, December 22, 2017, accessed September 10, 2020.
  10. ↑ ALEX KOTCH, Art Pope denies funding backers of N.C. 'bathroom bill' despite clear record, Facing South, MAY 19, 2016.
  11. ↑ David Armiak, State Policy Network and Affiliates Raises $152 Million Annually to Push Right-Wing Policies, ExposedbyCMD, September 30, 2022.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ Jane Mayer, Is IKEA the New Model for the Conservative Movement?, The New Yorker, November 15, 2013.
  14. ↑ Ed Pilkington and Suzanne Goldenberg, State conservative groups plan US-wide assault on education, health and tax, The Guardian, December 5, 2013.
  15. ↑ Chris Kromm, Institute for Southern Studies, "Blessed to have a Pope", Facing South, Oct. 14, 2010.Archived from the original on June 20, 2016, accessed September 9, 2020.
  16. ↑ Lee Fang, "Spontaneous Uprising? Corporate Lobbyists Helping To Orchestrate Radical Anti-Obama Tea Party Protests", Think Progress, April 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020, accessed September 9, 2020.
  17. ↑ The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, James Arthur Pope, organizational website, accessed July, 2024.
  18. ↑ Paul Abowd, Donors use charity to push free-market policies in states, Center for Public Integrity, February 14, 2013.
  19. ↑ DonorsTrust, 2011 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, 2011.
  20. ↑ DonorsTrust, Frequently Asked Questions, organizational website, accessed August 30, 2017.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2022 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November, 2023.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2021 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November, 2022.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2020 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 12, 2021.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2019 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 12, 2020.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2018 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 11, 2019.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2017 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, May 1, 2019.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2016 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 7, 2017.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2015 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, (full date censored), 2017.
  29. ↑ John William Pope Foundation, 2014 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, December 12, 2016.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2012 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 8, 2012.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2010 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 15, 2010.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2009 IRS Form 990, annual organizational IRS filing, March 19, 2010.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2008 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 24, 2008.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2007 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 14, 2007.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2006 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 14, 2006.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2005 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, November 8th, 2005.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2004 IRS Form 990, annual organizational filing, July 20th, 2005.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2003 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, July 20, 2005.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2002 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, July 20th, 2005.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2001 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, July 28,2005.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 John William Pope Foundation, 2000 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, August 3rd, 2005.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 John William Pope Foundation, 1999 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, July 28, 2005.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 John William Pope Foundation, 1998 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, August 16, 2009.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 John William Pope Foundation, 1997 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, July 28, 2005.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 John William Pope Foundation, 1994 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, August 16, 2005.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 ProPublica, John William Pope Foundation, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Accessed August 30, 2017.
  47. ↑ John William Pope Foundation, Board and Staff, organizational website, accessed July, 2024.
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