Roe Foundation

The Roe Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation started by Thomas A. Roe (1927-2000), founding chairman of the State Policy Network (SPN)^[1] and founder of the South Carolina Policy Council.^[2] Roe was also an early funder of the Heritage Foundation, joining Joseph Coors, Samuel Roberts Noble, and Richard Mellon Scaife. He led Heritage's finance committee.^[3]

News and Controversies

Funded Organizations Seeking to Dismantle Public Sector Unions

The Roe Foundation has contributed to Buckeye Institute and Freedom Foundation, two right-wing nonprofits at the "forefront of a coordinated attack on public sector unions across the country."^[4]

Media Matters Exposé on Education Reform

The Roe Foundation is one of many right-wing philanthropy groups mentioned in a 2016 Media Matters for America exposé of the education reform movement.^[5]

Funded Organization Pushing Voter ID Legislation

The Roe Foundation has contributed to National Center for Public Policy Research, which created a "Voter Identification Task Force" in 2012.^[6]

Roe Foundation Donations Contingent on Upholding Small-Government, Judeo-Christian Principles

The Roe Foundation has explicit by-laws and requires grantees to sign a document promising to uphold the following principles:

The maximum potential of a free people is achieved when they are free to control their own destiny
The greatest threat to these freedoms is intrusive government
The Judeo-Christian tradition represents the underpinnings of a just society^[3]

"Furthermore, recipients of the foundation’s support must recognize the importance of state and local organizations functioning alongside national organizations in the pursuit of a free society [and they must] educate the public at large and all public policy makers to a better understanding of these fundamental values and practical ways to achieve the goals of expanding human freedom."^[3]

"The by-laws also permit the support of nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan area of Greenville until such time as there are no descendents [sic] of Tom or Shirley Roe living there– and so long as these grants to local groups never become the 'principal function' of the foundation. Even these gifts come with a conservative twist: An annual gift to the Greenville Symphony Orchestra stipulates that its musicians cannot unionize. 'Tom didn’t like unions,' says Shirley Roe."^[3]

Thomas Roe gave Mont Pelerin Society and Philadelphia Society standing to sue the Roe Foundation if it donates to an organization "'whose activities or public statements reflect a belief in a collectivist world or any view inconsistent' with the foundation’s announced principles."^[3]

Ties to the State Policy Network

Roe Foundation is a major funder of the State Policy Network. 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.^[7] 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.^[8]

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.'"^[9]

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.^[10]

Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council

The Roe Foundation has granted $28,500 to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) between 2000 and 2011, according to a review of the foundation's IRS filings by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD).^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]^[18]^[19]^[20]^[21]^[22]

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.

Grants Distributed

2022^[23]

American Cancer Society: $10,000
Artisphere: $10,000
Greenville Council of Gardens: $100
Greenville News: $2,500
Heritage Foundation: $500,000
Loaves and Fishes: $10,000
South Carolina Policy Council: $150,000
State Policy Network: $4,000,000
The Peace Center: $15,000

2021^[24]

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund: $750,000
Heritage Foundation: $700,000
Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $50,000
Miracle Hill Ministries: $50,000
Mont Pelerin Society: $25,000
Neighborhood Focus: $10,000
Philadelphia Society: $25,000
South Carolina Policy Council: $229,604
St Paul Anglican Church: $100,000
State Policy Network: $3,700,000

2020^[25]

Acton Institute: $10,000
Alabama Policy Institute: $25,000
Alaska Policy Forum: $15,000
American Legislative Exchange Council: $2,500
America’s Future Foundation: $35,000
Arkansas Policy Foundation: $7,500
Atlas Network: $10,000
Badger Institute: $25,000
Ballotpedia: $10,000
Beacon Center of Tennessee: $25,000
Bluegrass Institute: $25,000
Buckeye Institute: $30,000
Caesar Rodney Institute: $25,000
California Policy Center: $25,000
Cardinal Institute: $20,000
Cascade Policy Institute: $25,000
Center of the American Experiment: $25,000
Charlotte Lozier Institute: $2,500
Civitas Institute: $25,000
Clemson Institute: $25,000
College Fix: $10,000
Commonwealth Foundation: $25,000
Competitive Enterprise Institute: $20,000
Empire Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Empower Mississippi: $25,000
Ethan Allen Institute: $10,000
Exponent Philanthropy: $765
Federalist Society: $5,000
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund: $450,000
Foundation for Economic Education: $7,500
Foundation for Government Accountability: $30,000
Franklin News Foundation: $5,000
Freedom Foundation: $25,000
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota: $20,000
Fund for American Studies: $5,000
Garden State Initiative: $25,000
Georgia Center for Opportunity: $25,000
Georgia Public Policy Foundation: $25,000
Goldwater Institute: $30,000
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: $20,000
Heritage Foundation: $125,000
Idaho Freedom Foundation: $20,000
Illinois Policy Institute: $25,000
Independence Institute: $25,000
Indiana Policy Review Foundation: $20,000
Institute for Humane Studies: $5,000
Institute for Justice: $10,000
Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $10,000
James Madison Institute: $75,000
John Locke Foundation: $25,000
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Kansas Policy Institute: $20,000
Libertas Institute: $15,000
Liberty Justice Center: $2,500
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Maine Policy Institute: $25,000
Maryland Public Policy Institute: $20,000
Media Research Center: $1,000
Mercatus Center: $5,000
Mississippi Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Mont Pelerin Society: $10,000
Network of Enlightened Women $1,000
Nevada Policy Research Institute: $25,000
New Criterion: $1,000
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: $25,000
Open the Books: $1,000
Pacific Research Institute: $25,000
Pelican Institute for Public Policy: $25,000
Philadelphia Society: $10,000
Philanthropy Roundtable: $2,500
Pioneer Institute: $25,000
Platte Institute for Economic Research: $15,000
Property & Environment Research Center: $20,000
Reason Foundation: $5,000
Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity: $15,000
Rio Grande Foundation: $15,000
Russell Kirk Center: $10,000
Show-Me Institute: $25,000
State Policy Network: $150,000
Steamboat Institute: $2,500
Sutherland Institute: $25,000
Texas Public Policy Foundation: $30,000
Thomas Jefferson Institute: $15,000
Virginia Institute for Public Policy: $15,000
Washington Policy Center: $30,000
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty: $30,000
Wyoming Liberty Group: $15,000
Yankee Institute for Public Policy: $25,000

2019^[26]

Acton Institute: $5,000
Alabama Policy Institute: $25,000
Alaska Policy Forum: $15,000
American Legislative Exchange Council: $2,500
America’s Future Foundation: $10,000
Arkansas Policy Foundation: $7,500
Atlas Network: $10,000
Badger Institute: $20,000
Ballotpedia: $10,000
Beacon Center of Tennessee: $25,000
Bluegrass Institute: $25,000
Buckeye Institute: $25,000
Caesar Rodney Institute: $20,000
California Policy Center: $25,000
Cardinal Institute: $20,000
Cascade Policy Institute: $20,000
Center of the American Experiment: $20,000
Charlotte Lozier Institute: $2,500
Civitas Institute: $20,000
Commonwealth Foundation: $25,000
Empire Center for State Policy: $15,000
Empower Mississippi: $20,000
Ethan Allen Institute: $10,000
Exponent Philanthropy: $750
Federalist Society: $5,000
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund: $500,000
Foundation for Economic Education: $5,000
Foundation for Government Accountability: $25,000
Franklin News Foundation: $1,000
Freedom Foundation: $25,000
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota: $20,000
Fund for American Studies: $5,000
Garden State Initiative: $20,000
Georgia Center for Opportunity: $25,000
Georgia Public Policy Foundation: $20,000
Goldwater Institute: $25,000
Granite Institute: $2,500
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: $20,000
Heritage Foundation: $125,000
Idaho Freedom Foundation: $20,000
Illinois Policy Institute: $25,000
Independence Institute: $25,000
Indiana Policy Review Foundation: $20,000
Institute for Humane Studies: $5,000
Institute for Justice: $10,000
Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $10,000
James Madison Institute: $25,000
John Locke Foundation: $20,000
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy: $20,000
Kansas Policy Institute: $18,000
Libertas Institute: $15,000
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Maine Heritage Policy Center: $25,000
Maryland Public Policy Institute: $20,000
Media Research Center: $1,000
Mercatus Center: $2,500
Mississippi Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Montana Policy Institute: $15,000
Mont Pelerin Society: $10,000
National Review Institute: $1,000
Network of Enlightened Women $1,000
Nevada Policy Research Institute: $25,000
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: $25,000
Pacific Research Institute: $25,000
Pelican Institute for Public Policy: $25,000
Philadelphia Society: $10,000
Philanthropy Roundtable: $2,500
Pioneer Institute: $25,000
Platte Institute for Economic Research: $15,000
Reason Foundation: $5,000
Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity: $15,000
Rio Grande Foundation: $12,500
Show-Me Institute: $20,000
State Policy Network: $125,000
Sutherland Institute: $25,000
Talent Market: $10,000
Texas Public Policy Foundation: $25,000
Thomas Jefferson Institute: $15,000
Virginia Institute for Public Policy: $15,000
Washington Policy Center: $25,000
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty: $25,000
Wyoming Liberty Group: $8,000
Yankee Institute for Public Policy: $25,000
Young America’s Foundation: $2,500

2018

The Roe Foundation gave at least $1,500,500 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:^[27]

Acton Institute: $5,000
Advance Arkansas Institute: $15,000
Alabama Policy Institute: $25,000
American Legislative Exchange Council: $5,000
America’s Future Foundation: $10,000
Arkansas Policy Foundation: $25,000
Atlas Network: $10,000
Badger Institute: $20,000
Ballotpedia: $10,000
Beacon Center of Tennessee: $25,000
Bluegrass Institute: $25,000
Buckeye Institute: $25,000
Caesar Rodney Institute: $20,000
California Policy Center: $20,000
Cardinal Institute: $20,000
Cascade Policy Institute: $20,000
Civitas Institute: $20,000
Commonwealth Foundation: $25,000
Empire Center for New York State Policy: $15,000
Empower Mississippi: $15,000
Ethan Allen Institute: $10,000
Federalist Society: $5,000
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund: $350,000
Foundation for Economic Education: $5,000
Foundation for Government Accountability: $25,000
Foundation for Teaching Economics $5,000
Franklin News Foundation: $1,000
Freedom Foundation: $25,000
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota: $20,000
Fund for American Studies: $2,500
Garden State Initiative: $15,000
Georgia Center for Opportunity: $25,000
Georgia Public Policy Foundation: $15,000
Goldwater Institute: $25,000
Granite Institute: $5,000
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: $20,000
Heritage Foundation: $125,000
Idaho Freedom Foundation: $20,000
Illinois Policy Institute: $25,000
Independence Institute: $25,000
Indiana Policy Review Foundation: $20,000
Institute for Humane Studies: $5,000
Institute for Justice: $10,000
Intellectual Takeout: $1,000
Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $15,000
James Madison Institute: $25,000
John Locke Foundation: $20,000
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy: $20,000
Kansas Policy Institute: $20,000
Libertas Institute: $15,000
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Maine Heritage Policy Center: $25,000
Maryland Public Policy Institute: $20,000
Mercatus Center: $2,500
Mississippi Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Mont Pelerin Society: $10,000
Montana Policy Institute: $15,000
National Review Institute: $1,000
Network of Enlightened Women $1,000
Nevada Policy Research Institute: $25,000
New Criterion: $1,000
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: $25,000
Open the Books $1,000
Pacific Research Institute: $25,000
Pelican Institute for Public Policy: $25,000
Philadelphia Society: $12,500
Philanthropy Roundtable: $2,500
Pioneer Institute: $20,000
Platte Institute for Economic Research: $15,000
Reason Foundation: $5000
Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity: $15,000
Rio Grande Foundation: $15,000
Show-Me Institute: $20,000
Spark Freedom: $5,000
State Policy Network: $125,000
Steamboat Institute: $2,500
Sutherland Institute: $25,000
Talent Market, a former DonorsTrust and current America's Future Foundation project: $10,000
Texas Public Policy Foundation: $25,000
Thomas Jefferson Institute: $15,000
Virginia Institute for Public Policy: $15,000
Washington Policy Center: $25,000
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty: $20,000
Wyoming Liberty Group: $10,000
Yankee Institute for Public Policy: $25,000
Young America’s Foundation: $2,500

2016

The Roe Foundation gave at least $1,458,000 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:^[28]

Acton Institute: $5,000
Adam Smith Institute: $2,500
Advance Arkansas Institute: $15,000
Alabama Family Alliance: $25,000
American Legislative Exchange Council: $1,500
America’s Future Foundation: $7,500
Arkansas Policy Foundation: $2,500
Artisphere: $5,000
Atlas Network: $10,000
Bastiat Society: $1,000
Beacon Center of Tennessee: $25,000
Bluegrass Institute: $15,000
Buckeye Institute: $25,000
Caesar Rodney Institute: $15,000
California Policy Center: $15,000
Cardinal Institute: $10,000
Cascade Policy Institute: $20,000
Center of the American Experiment: $10,000
Charity Ball $12,000
Civitas Institute: $20,000
Commonwealth Foundation: $25,000
Empire Center for New York State Policy: $15,000
Empower Mississippi: $10,000
Ethan Allen Institute: $10,000
Federalist Society: $5,000
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund: $255,000
Foundation for Economic Education: $5,000
Foundation for Government Accountability: $25,000
Franklin News Foundation: $1,000
Freedom Foundation: $25,000
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota: $20,000
Fund for American Studies: $2,500
Georgia Center for Opportunity: $15,000
Georgia Public Policy Foundation: $15,000
Goldwater Institute: $25,000
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: $15,000
Heritage Foundation: $125,000
Idaho Freedom Foundation: $20,000
Illinois Policy Institute: $25,000
Independence Institute: $25,000
Indiana Policy Review Foundation: $20,000
Institute for Humane Studies: $5,000
Institute for Justice: $10,000
Intellectual Takeout: $1,000
Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $15,000
James Madison Institute: $25,000
John Locke Foundation: $20,000
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy: $20,000
Justice Foundation: $25,000
Leadership Project $2,500
Libertas Institute: $15,000
Lucy Burns Institute: $10,000
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Maine Heritage Policy Center: $25,000
Maryland Public Policy Institute: $20,000
Media Research Center: $1,000
Mercatus Center: $2,500
Miracle Hill Ministries: $35,000
Mississippi Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Mont Pelerin Society: $10,000
Montana Policy Institute: $10,000
National Review Institute: $1,000
Neighborhood Focus $2,500
Network of Enlightened Women $1,000
Nevada Policy Research Institute: $20,000
New Criterion: $1,000
New Hampshire Center $10,000
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: $25,000
Pacific Research Institute: $20,000
Pelican Institute for Public Policy: $20,000
Philadelphia Society: $10,000
Philanthropic Enterprise: $1,000
Philanthropy Roundtable: $2,500
Pioneer Institute: $20,000
Platte Institute for Economic Research: $15,000
Reason Foundation: $5000
Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity: $15,000
Rio Grande Foundation: $15,000
Show-Me Institute: $20,000
South Carolina Policy Council: $150,000
Spark Freedom: $5,000
State Policy Network: $125,000
Steamboat Institute: $2,500
Sutherland Institute: $20,000
Talent Market, a former DonorsTrust and current America's Future Foundation project: $10,000
Thomas Jefferson Institute: $15,000
Virginia Institute for Public Policy: $15,000
Washington Policy Center: $25,000
Wyoming Liberty Group: $10,000
Yankee Institute for Public Policy: $20,000
Young America’s Foundation: $2,500

2015

The Roe Foundation gave at least $1,398,000 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]

1851 Center for Constitutional Law: $5,000
Acton Institute: $5,000
Advance Arkansas Institute: $15,000
Alabama Family Alliance: $25,000
American Legislative Exchange Council: $1,000
America’s Future Foundation: $5,000
Artisphere: $5,000
Atlas Network: $10,000
Bastiat Society: $1,000
Beacon Center of Tennessee: $25,000
Beacon Hill Institute: $5,000
Bluegrass Institute: $15,000
Buckeye Institute: $25,000
Caesar Rodney Institute: $15,000
California Policy Center: $10,000
Cascade Policy Institute: $20,000
Cato Institute: $2,500
Center of the American Experiment: $10,000
Christ Church Episcopal School: $125,000
Civitas Institute: $20,000
Claire Boothe Luce: $1,000
Claremont Institute: $1,000
Commonwealth Foundation: $25,000
Empire Center for New York State Policy: $15,000
Ethan Allen Institute: $10,000
Exponent Philanthropy $1,500
Federalist Society: $5,000
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund: $215,000
Foundation for Economic Education: $5,000
Foundation for Government Accountability: $25,000
Foundation for Teaching Economics $2,500
Freedom Foundation: $25,000
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota: $20,000
Fund for American Studies: $2,500
Georgia Center for Opportunity: $10,000
Georgia Public Policy Foundation: $15,000
Goldwater Institute: $25,000
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: $15,000
Greenville Symphony Association $45,000
Heritage Foundation: $100,000
Idaho Freedom Foundation: $20,000
Illinois Policy Institute: $25,000
Independence Institute: $25,000
Indiana Policy Review Foundation: $20,000
Institute for Humane Studies: $5,000
Institute for Justice: $10,000
Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $15,000
James Madison Institute: $25,000
John Locke Foundation: $20,000
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy: $20,000
Justice Foundation: $25,000
Liberty Foundation of America: $5,000
Loaves and Fishes $5,000
Lucy Burns Institute: $10,000
Líberalní Institute $10,000
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Maine Heritage Policy Center: $25,000
Maryland Public Policy Institute: $25,000
Media Research Center: $2,500
Mercatus Center: $2,500
Miracle Hill Ministries: $30,000
Mississippi Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Mont Pelerin Society: $10,000
Neighborhood Focus $2,500
Network of Enlightened Women $1,000
Nevada Policy Research Institute: $20,000
New Criterion: $1,000
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: $25,000
Open the Books $1,000
Pacific Research Institute: $20,000
Pelican Institute for Public Policy: $20,000
Philadelphia Society: $10,000
Philanthropic Enterprise: $1,000
Philanthropy Roundtable: $2,500
Piedmont Women’s Center: $5,000
Pioneer Institute: $20,000
Platte Institute for Economic Research: $15,000
Reason Foundation: $5000
Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity: $15,000
Rio Grande Foundation: $15,000
Show-Me Institute: $20,000
South Carolina Policy Council: $150,000
Spark Freedom: $5,000
State Policy Network: $125,000
Steamboat Institute: $2,500
StudentNewsDaily.com: $2,500
Sutherland Institute: $25,000
Talent Market, a former DonorsTrust and current America's Future Foundation project: $10,000
Thomas Jefferson Institute: $15,000
Virginia Institute for Public Policy: $15,000
Washington Policy Center: $25,000
Wyoming Liberty Group: $10,000
Yankee Institute for Public Policy: $20,000
Young America’s Foundation: $2,500

2014

The Roe Foundation gave at least $1,599,500 to SPN, its members, and associate members in 2014. These groups, as well as other entities that received grants in 2014, are broken down as follows:^[30]

Acton Institute: $3,000
Advance Arkansas Institute: $15,000
Alabama Family Alliance: $25,000
American Legislative Exchange Council: $1,000
Arkansas Policy Foundation: $1,000
Association of Small Foundations: $1,500
Atlas Network: $10,000
Beacon Center of Tennessee: $25,000
Beacon Hill Institute: $5,000
Bluegrass Institute: $15,000
Buckeye Institute: $25,000
Caesar Rodney Institute: $15,000
Cancer Society of Greenville County: $10,000
Cascade Policy Institute: $20,000
Center of the American Experiment: $10,000
Christ Church Episcopal School: $125,000
Civitas Institute: $20,000
Claire Boothe Luce: $1,000
Claremont Institute: $1,000
Common Sense Institute: $15,000
Commonwealth Foundation: $25,000
Concerned Women for America: $1,000
Empire Center for New York State Policy: $15,000
Ethan Allen Institute: $10,000
Federalist Society: $5,000
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund: $75,000
Foundation for Economic Education: $5,000
Foundation for Government Accountability: $20,000
Freedom Foundation: $25,000
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota: $20,000
Fund for American Studies: $2,500
Georgia Public Policy Foundation: $15,000
Goldwater Institute: $25,000
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: $15,000
Greenville Council: $2,500
Heritage Foundation: $125,000
Idaho Freedom Foundation: $15,000
Illinois Policy Institute: $25,000
Independence Institute: $25,000
Indiana Policy Review Foundation: $20,000
Institute for Humane Studies: $5,000
Institute for Justice: $10,000
Intellectual Takeout: $1,000
Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $15,000
James Madison Institute: $25,000
John Locke Foundation: $20,000
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy: $15,000
Justice Foundation: $25,000
Libertas Institute: $5,000
Liberty Foundation of America: $10,000
Loaves and Fishes $5,000
Lucy Burns Institute: $10,000
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Maine Heritage Policy Center: $25,000
Maryland Public Policy Institute: $20,000
Media Research Center: $2,500
Mercatus Center: $2,500
Miracle Hill Ministries: $30,000
Mississippi Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Mont Pelerin Society: $10,000
Nevada Policy Research Institute: $20,000
New Criterion: $1,000
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: $25,000
Opportunity Ohio: $10,000
Pacific Research Institute: $20,000
Pelican Institute for Public Policy: $20,000
Philadelphia Society: $10,000
Philanthropic Enterprise: $1,000
Philanthropy Roundtable: $2,500
Piedmont Women’s Center: $5,000
Pioneer Institute: $20,000
Platte Institute for Economic Research: $15,000
Reason Foundation: $5000
Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity: $15,000
Rio Grande Foundation: $15,000
Show-Me Institute: $15,000
South Carolina Policy Council: $350,000
Spark Freedom: $5,000
State Budget Solutions $1,000
State Policy Network: $125,000
Steamboat Institute: $2,500
StudentNewsDaily.com: $2,500
Sutherland Institute: $25,000
Talent Market, a former DonorsTrust and current America's Future Foundation project: $10,000
Thomas Jefferson Institute: $15,000
Virginia Institute for Public Policy: $15,000
Washington Policy Center: $25,000
Wyoming Liberty Group: $10,000
Yankee Institute for Public Policy: $20,000

2013

The Roe Foundation gave at least $1,368,000 to SPN, its members, and associate members in 2013. These groups, as well as other entities that received grants in 2013, are broken down as follows:^[31]

A Child’s Haven: $5,000
Acton Institute: $2,500
Advance Arkansas Institute: $10,000
Alabama Family Alliance: $25,000
America’s Future Foundation: $5,000
Arkansas Policy Foundation: $2,500
Artisphere: $5,000
Association of Small Foundations: $1,500
Atlas Network: $10,000
Beacon Center of Tennessee: $20,000
Beacon Hill Institute: $15,000
Bluegrass Institute: $15,000
Buckeye Institute: $20,000
Cancer Society of Greenville County: $7,500
Carolina Youth Symphony: $1,000
Cascade Policy Institute: $20,000
Center of the American Experiment: $10,000
Christ Church Episcopal School: $25,000
Civitas Institute: $15,000
Claire Boothe Luce: $1,000
Claremont Institute: $1,000
Common Sense Institute: $15,000
Commonwealth Foundation: $25,000
Diligent Hands and Gracious Hearts: $2,500
Empire Center for New York State Policy: $15,000
Ethan Allen Institute: $10,000
Federalist Society: $5,000
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund: $99,000
Foundation for Economic Education: $2,500
Foundation for Government Accountability: $20,000
Freedom Foundation: $25,000
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota: $20,000
Fund for American Studies: $2,500
Georgia Public Policy Foundation: $15,000
Goldwater Institute: $25,000
Governor’s School for the Arts: $2,500
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: $15,000
Greenville Council: $2,500
Heritage Foundation: $125,000
Idaho Freedom Foundation: $15,000
Illinois Policy Institute: $25,000
Independence Institute: $25,000
Indiana Policy Review Foundation: $20,000
Institute for Humane Studies: $20,000
Institute for Justice: $10,000
Institute on Religion and Public Life: $1,000
Intellectual Takeout: $1,000
Intercollegiate Studies Institute: $1,000
James Madison Institute: $25,000
John Locke Foundation: $20,000
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy: $15,000
Lucy Burns Institute: $5,000
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Maine Heritage Policy Center: $25,000
Maryland Public Policy Institute: $20,000
Media Research Center: $2,500
Mercatus Center: $2,500
Mont Pelerin Society: $10,000
Miracle Hill Ministries: $30,000
Mississippi Center for Public Policy: $25,000
Montana Policy Institute: $20,000
Nevada Policy Research Institute: $20,000
New Criterion: $1,000
North Dakota Policy Council: $10,000
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: $25,000
Pacific Research Institute: $20,000
Pelican Institute for Public Policy: $20,000
Philadelphia Society: $10,000
Philanthropic Enterprise: $1,000
Philanthropy Roundtable: $2,500
Piedmont Women’s Center: $5,000
Pioneer Institute: $20,000
Platte Institute for Economic Research: $15,000
Reason Foundation: $5,000
Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity: $15,000
Rio Grande Foundation: $15,000
Show-Me Institute: $10,000
South Carolina Children’s Theatre: $2,500
South Carolina Policy Council: $150,000
Spark Freedom: $5,000
State Policy Network: $125,000
Steamboat Institute: $2,500
StudentNewsDaily.com: $2,500
Sutherland Institute: $25,000
Talent Market, a former DonorsTrust and current America's Future Foundation project: $10,000
Texas Public Policy Foundation: $25,000
Thomas Jefferson Institute: $15,000
Virginia Institute for Public Policy: $15,000
Washington Policy Center: $25,000
Yankee Institute for Public Policy: $20,000
Young America’s Foundation: $2,500

1998-2012

The Roe Foundation gave at least $10,051,000 to SPN, its members, and associate members between 1998-2012. These groups are broken down as follows:^[32] (contributions span 1998-2012 unless otherwise noted)

Advance Arkansas Institute: $10,000 (2012)
Alabama Policy Institute: $119,000 (2010-2012)
Arkansas Policy Foundation: $25,000 (1998-2009)
Beacon Center of Tennessee: $135,000
Bluegrass Institute: $140,000 (2004-2012)
Buckeye Institute: $330,000
Calvert Institute for Policy Research: $25,000 (1998-2007)
Cascade Policy Institute: $350,000
Center of the American Experiment: $185,000
Common Sense Institute: $15,000 (2012)
Commonwealth Foundation: $228,000
Empire Center for New York State Policy: $110,000 (2005-2012)
Ethan Allen Institute: $100,000 (1998-2011)
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota: $75,000 (2008-2012)
Georgia Public Policy Foundation: $125,000 (1999-2012)
Goldwater Institute: $302,500
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: $130,000 (2005-2012)
Idaho Freedom Foundation: $145,000 (2010-2012)
Illinois Policy Institute: $145,000 (2004-2012)
Independence Institute: $287,500 (2001-2012)
Indiana Policy Review Foundation: $291,000 (1998-2012)
James Madison Institute: $335,000 (1998-2012)
John Locke Foundation: $270,000
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy: $168,500
Kansas Policy Institute: $92,500
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $390,000
Maine Heritage Policy Center: $160,000 (2004-2012)
Maryland Public Policy Institute: $205,000 (2002-2012)
Mississippi Center for Public Policy: $190,000 (2004-2012)
Montana Policy Institute: $60,000 (2009-2012)
Nevada Policy Research Institute: $220,000
North Dakota Policy Council: $55,000 (2008-2012)
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: $300,000 (1998-2012)
Pacific Research Institute: $211,000
Pelican Institute for Public Policy: $60,000 (2009-2012)
Pioneer Institute $103,000 (1998-2012)
Platte Institute for Economic Research: $70,000 (2008-2012)
Rio Grande Foundation: $140,000 (2002-2012)
Show-Me Institute: $65,000 (2007-2012)
South Carolina Policy Council: $1,386,000
State Policy Network: $1,092,000
Sutherland Institute: $230,000
Texas Public Policy Foundation: $262,000
Thomas Jefferson Institute: $183,000
Virginia Institute for Public Policy: $190,000
Washington Policy Center: $117,500 (2001-2012)
Wyoming Liberty Group: $25,000 (2010-2012)
Yankee Institute for Public Policy: $197,500 (2000-2012)

Core Financials

2022^[23]

Total Revenue: -$168,071
Total Expenses: $4,837,869
Net Assets: $14,531,426

2021^[24]

Total Revenue: $271,040
Total Expenses: $5,772,605
Net Assets: $19,539,999

2020^[25]

Total Revenue: $3,451,660
Total Expenses: $2,496,067
Net Assets: $25,040,580

2019^[26]

Total Revenue: $1,199,425
Total Expenses: $2,250,843
Net Assets: $28,134,334

2018^[27]

Total Revenue: $2,100,744
Total Expenses: $2,101,612
Net Assets: $25,149,592

2017^[33]

Total Revenue: $1,586,457
Total Expenses: $2,148,702
Net Assets: $25,711,837

2016^[28]

Total Revenue: $8,064
Total Expenses: $2,043,065
Net Assets: $27,746,838

2015^[29]

Total Revenue: $1,090,098
Total Expenses: $2,139,786
Net Assets: $28,796,526

2014^[30]

Total Revenue: $2,016,556
Total Expenses: $2,148,209
Net Assets: $28,928,179

2013^[31]

Total Revenue: $1,498,810
Total Expenses: $1,856,251
Net Assets: $29,285,620

2012^[34]

Total Revenue: $1,885,940
Total Expenses: $1,742,152
Net Assets: $29,141,832

2011^[11]

Total Revenue: $1,599,873
Total Expenses: $1,769,891
Net Assets: $29,311,850

2010^[35]

Total Revenue: $1,913,269
Total Expenses: $1,659,742
Net Assets: $29,058,323

2009^[36]

Total Revenue: $2,565,008
Total Expenses: $1,816,287
Net Assets: $33,439,618

2008^[37]

Total Revenue: $466,172
Total Expenses: $2,016,060
Net Assets: $35,950,639

Personnel

Board of Directors

As of May 2023:^[23]

Shirley W. Roe, Chair (widow of Thomas A. Roe)
Thomas L. Wilcox (Board Member, State Policy Network)
Amy Wilcox

Former Board of Directors

Edwin J. Feulner, Jr., Vice Chairman (President, Heritage Foundation)
Carl O. Helstrom, III (Executive Director, JM Foundation, and Board Member, State Policy Network)
Tracie Sharp (Executive Director, State Policy Network)
Byron S. Lamm (former Executive Director and Board Member, State Policy Network)

Contact Information

Roe Foundation
301 N Main St Ste 1735
Greenville, SC 29601

EIN: 23-7011541

Website: theroefoundation.org
Phone: (864) 242-5007

Articles and Resources

IRS Form 990 Filings

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Related Sourcewatch

References

↑ State Policy Network, Thomas Roe Legacy Society, organizational website, accessed September 2, 2020.
↑ South Carolina Policy Council, Who Are We?, organizational website, accessed September 2, 2020.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 John J. Miller, "Safeguarding a Conservative Donor’s Intent: The Roe Foundation at 39" (Web Archive), Foundation Watch, Capital Research Center publication, Wayback Machine, May 2007, accessed September 2, 2020.
↑ David Armiak, "Right-Wing Out-of-State Funders Bankroll Anti-Union Campaigns in Ohio", PR Watch, May 8, 2020, accessed August 29, 2020.
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 Pam Vogel, "Here Are The Corporations And Right-Wing Funders Backing The Education Reform Movement", Media Matters for America, April 27, 2016, accessed August 29, 2020.
↑ Lisa Graves, "Right-Wing Operatives Take Up ALEC's Voter Suppression Agenda", PR Watch, April 19, 2012, accessed August 29, 2020.
↑ David Armiak, State Policy Network and Affiliates Raises $152 Million Annually to Push Right-Wing Policies, ExposedbyCMD, September 30, 2022.
↑ 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.
↑ Jane Mayer, Is IKEA the New Model for the Conservative Movement?, The New Yorker, November 15, 2013.
↑ Ed Pilkington and Suzanne Goldenberg, State conservative groups plan US-wide assault on education, health and tax, The Guardian, December 5, 2013.
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1 Roe Foundation, 2011 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2010.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS filing, 2009.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2008.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2007.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2006.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2005.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2004.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2003.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2002.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2001.
↑ Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2000.
↑ ^23.0 ^23.1 ^23.2 Roe Foundation, 2022 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, May 15, 2023.
↑ ^24.0 ^24.1 Roe Foundation, 2021 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, May 16, 2022.
↑ ^25.0 ^25.1 Roe Foundation, 2020 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, May 12, 2021.
↑ ^26.0 ^26.1 Roe Foundation, 2019 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, June 29, 2020.
↑ ^27.0 ^27.1 Roe Foundation, 2018 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ ^28.0 ^28.1 Roe Foundation, IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ ^29.0 ^29.1 Roe Foundation, 2015 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ ^30.0 ^30.1 Roe Foundation, 2014 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ ^31.0 ^31.1 Roe Foundation, 2013 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ Center for Media and Democracy, Review of Roe Foundation Forms 990, 1998-2012, SourceWatch.org, June 2014.
↑ Roe Foundation, 2017 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ Roe Foundation, 2012 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ Roe Foundation, 2010 Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ Roe Foundation, 2009 Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.
↑ Roe Foundation, 2008 Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[1] State Policy Network, Thomas Roe Legacy Society, organizational website, accessed September 2, 2020.

[2] South Carolina Policy Council, Who Are We?, organizational website, accessed September 2, 2020.

[CRC-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 John J. Miller, "Safeguarding a Conservative Donor’s Intent: The Roe Foundation at 39" (Web Archive), Foundation Watch, Capital Research Center publication, Wayback Machine, May 2007, accessed September 2, 2020.

[pr1-4] David Armiak, "Right-Wing Out-of-State Funders Bankroll Anti-Union Campaigns in Ohio", PR Watch, May 8, 2020, accessed August 29, 2020.

[rfer-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Pam Vogel, "Here Are The Corporations And Right-Wing Funders Backing The Education Reform Movement", Media Matters for America, April 27, 2016, accessed August 29, 2020.

[6] Lisa Graves, "Right-Wing Operatives Take Up ALEC's Voter Suppression Agenda", PR Watch, April 19, 2012, accessed August 29, 2020.

[7] David Armiak, State Policy Network and Affiliates Raises $152 Million Annually to Push Right-Wing Policies, ExposedbyCMD, September 30, 2022.

[8] 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.

[9] Jane Mayer, Is IKEA the New Model for the Conservative Movement?, The New Yorker, November 15, 2013.

[10] Ed Pilkington and Suzanne Goldenberg, State conservative groups plan US-wide assault on education, health and tax, The Guardian, December 5, 2013.

[IRS2011-11] 11.0 ^11.1 Roe Foundation, 2011 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[2010_990-12] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2010.

[2009_990-13] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS filing, 2009.

[2008_990-14] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2008.

[2007_990-15] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2007.

[2006_990-16] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2006.

[2005_990-17] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2005.

[2004_990-18] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2004.

[2003_990-19] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2003.

[2002_990-20] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2002.

[2001_990-21] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2001.

[2000_990-22] Roe Foundation, Form 990, organizational IRS tax filing, 2000.

[2022_990-23] 23.0 ^23.1 ^23.2 Roe Foundation, 2022 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, May 15, 2023.

[2021_990-24] 24.0 ^24.1 Roe Foundation, 2021 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, May 16, 2022.

[2020_990-25] 25.0 ^25.1 Roe Foundation, 2020 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, May 12, 2021.

[2019_990-26] 26.0 ^26.1 Roe Foundation, 2019 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, June 29, 2020.

[2018_990-27] 27.0 ^27.1 Roe Foundation, 2018 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[2016_990-28] 28.0 ^28.1 Roe Foundation, IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[2015_990-29] 29.0 ^29.1 Roe Foundation, 2015 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[2014_990-30] 30.0 ^30.1 Roe Foundation, 2014 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[2013_990-31] 31.0 ^31.1 Roe Foundation, 2013 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[32] Center for Media and Democracy, Review of Roe Foundation Forms 990, 1998-2012, SourceWatch.org, June 2014.

[2017_990-33] Roe Foundation, 2017 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[34] Roe Foundation, 2012 IRS Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[35] Roe Foundation, 2010 Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[36] Roe Foundation, 2009 Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

[37] Roe Foundation, 2008 Form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed September 1, 2020.

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