Parents Unite
Parents Unite is 501(c)(3) corporation with a mission "to ensure that K-12 independent schools promote a culture that values and prioritizes true diversity of thought, freedom of discourse, and self-expression."[1] According to founder Ashley Jacobs, Parents Unite was established in response to "the summer of 2020, when many schools, you know, overcorrected for a national racial reckoning" and felt "compelled to solve society’s problems," which she claims is "not their job.”[2]
Parents Unite holds annual "Diversity Of Thought In K-12 Education" conferences where speakers criticize the implementation of liberal concepts like critical race theory (CRT), diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), social and emotional learning (SEL), and gender politics in schools.[3][4] The organization's website also includes a "Parent Playbook" of conservative articles to help parents save their schools from the "cult of wokeness".[5]
Contents
News and Controversies
Parents Unite Allies With Newton Parents Against Classroom Equity
According to GBH News, in Newton, Massachusetts, the parent group ImproveNPS has criticized the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs implemented in the public school system, citing declining test scores. After being consulted by ImproveNPS for advice, Parents Unite executive director Ashley Jacobs stated that DEI policies in Newton Public Schools are "adding in a whole layer of negative, divisive ideology. And it’s taking the place of academics," urging Newton parents to demand excellence. She added, "I don’t believe you can have equity and excellence. I just don’t. And I think a lot of parents don’t believe that. I think most parents are scratching their heads and saying, ‘No, we didn’t move to Newton and pay taxes in Newton and have to buy an expensive house to have our kids not get ahead.’” Ultimately, the school committee unanimously rejected ImproveNPS's proposal for an advisory committee on school policy.[2]
Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council
Board member David Keating spoke at the American Legislative Exchange Council's 42nd annual meeting, defending the privacy of non-profit spending in politics (dark money), telling attendees the "right of every American and the causes they believe in is under attack".[6] Furthermore, his organization, The Institute for Free Speech is a member of the SPN.
Parents Unite has received funding from Donors Trust, an SPN member that has secured funding for its member think tanks to join ALEC in order to help develop model legislation.
Please see SPN Ties to ALEC for more.
| About ALEC |
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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.
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Funding
Parents Unite is not required to disclose its donors but some funders are known through IRS filings and include:
- A Hand Up Charitable Foundation: $15,000 (2022)
- Donors Trust Inc: $75,000 (2022)
- Edelman Fam Foundation: $18,000 (2021)
- Rodgers Family Foundation Inc: $10,000 (2021)
- Sidman Family Foundation: $10,000 (2022)
Core Financials
2022[7]
- Total Revenue: $276,521
- Total Expenses: $300,371
- Net Assets: $10,719
2021[8]
- Total Revenue: $257,735
- Total Expenses: $223,166
- Net Assets: $34,569
Personnel
Staff
As of June 2024.[9]
- Ashley Jacobs, Executive Director
- Jean Egan, Treasurer
- Allison Achtmeyer, Secretary
Advisory Board
As of June 2024.[1]
- Alli Achtmeyer
- Jean Egan
- Beth Feeley
- David Keating
- Bonnie Snyder, D.Ed.
Contact Information
Parents Unite
2000 West Part Drive
Westborough, MA 01581
Phone: (508) 203-6912
Email: info@parentsunite.org
Youtube: @parentsunite9549
Instagram: @parentsunite_
X: @parentsunite_
Articles and Resources
IRS Form 990 Filings
2022
2021
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Parents Unite, about, organizational website, accessed June 20, 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Meg Woolhouse and Phillip Martin, Right-leaning groups opposed to diversity efforts find unlikely allies in Newton parents, GBH News, October 30, 2023.
- ↑ Parents Unite, 2022 conference videos, organizational website, accessed June 20, 2024.
- ↑ Parents Unite, 2021 conference videos, organizational website, accessed June 20, 2024.
- ↑ Parents Unite, Save Your School, organizational website, accessed June 20, 2024.
- ↑ TARINI PARTI, ‘Dark money': ALEC wants image makeover, Politico, July 30, 2015.
- ↑ Parents Unite, Form 990, organizational annual IRS filing, 2022
- ↑ Parents Unite, Form 990, organizational annual IRS filing, 2021
- ↑ Parents Unite, Form 990, organizational annual IRS filing, 2022
