The Leadership Institute

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The Leadership Institute (LI) is a right wing Virginia-based training organization for potential conservative political leaders.

According to the group's website, the Leadership Institute was founded in 1979 by its president, Morton C. Blackwell. "LI provides training in campaigns, fundraising, grassroots organizing, youth politics, and communications. The Institute teaches conservatives of all ages how to succeed in politics, government, and the media. The Institute offers more than 50 types of training schools, workshops, and seminars; a free employment placement service; and a national field program that trains conservative students to organize campus groups. Since 1979, LI has trained more than 250,000 conservative activists, leaders, and students. The Institute's unique college campus network has grown to more than 2,300 conservative campus groups and newspapers."[1]

The Leadership Institute is a "partner" of the State Policy Network (SPN).[2]

News and Controversies

Launches The Riley Gaines Center

The Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute was launched in August of 2023 under the direction of Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer who campaigns for the exclusion of trans women from women's sports. The center's website describes its mission to create "courageous leaders to protect women in America," as well as to identify and recruit "those targeted by the left." In addition, the website lists the center as the home of Gaines' activism through speaking events and media appearances, coalition building, and grassroots organization.[3]

From September through November 2023, Gaines embarked on a national speaking tour funded by the Leadership Institute, which included thirteen events held at various universities.[4] Several of Gaines' speaking appearances were met with organized protests. This includes a walk-out during Gaines' speech at the University of Wyoming, according to the Branding Iron, UW's student newspaper. The publication notes that Gaines' speech "opened with allegations of an assault at San Francisco State University, made specific note that she was attacked by ‘men in dresses with beards’ and that she was apparently held ransom along with police officers until she gave the protestors $10.00 each," though these specific claims are unable to be independently substantiated.[5] A similar protest occurred at Harvard University on October 26, 2023. The Harvard Crimson, the university's student newspaper, reported that dozens of students demonstrated against the event, with several student groups gathering an hour before the event began to create posters and give speeches in opposition to Gaines.[6]

According to WUWM 89.7, Milwaukee's NPR station, around 30 members of the Coalition to March on the RNC protested outside the Pfister Hotel, shortly before the August 23, 2023 GOP debate at Fiserv Forum. WUWM 89.7 reported that these protesters were "primarily focused on an appearance inside by swimmer Riley Gaines."[7]

Opposition to Democratic Reforms Proposed in H.R.1

The For the People Act (H.R.1), an election and ethics reform bill championed by Democrats, was introduced in the House in January 2021. Conservative Action Project, an arm of the Council for National Policy (CNP), published a statement in opposition to the bill. The statement claimed that the bill would serve to "protect incumbents, at the expense of the First Amendment, federalism, and individual voter integrity."[8] LI President Morton C. Blackwell joined other right-wing leaders in signing. Though the bill successfully passed in the House on March 2021, it was unable to pass in the Senate due to the slim Democratic majority and the filibuster rule that imposes a de-facto 60-vote hurdle to enact most legislation.[9]

Sponsorship of 2021 CPAC annual conference

The Leadership Institute was a sponsor of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) annual conference in February 2021. The theme of the conference was "America Uncanceled," a focus on right-wing opposition to "cancel culture." In addition, the Center for Media and Democracy's PRWatch noted that the program was heavily focused on the "Big Lie" of widespread voter fraud, an unsubstantiated electoral strategy employed by numerous Republican politicians and allies of the Trump administration.[10]

Support for Overturning 2020 Presidential Election Results

In a Conservative Action Project letter published in December 2020, Leadership Institute President Morton C. Blackwell joined leaders from other right-wing groups to demand that state legislature in six swing states throw out the election results and appoint new Electoral College electors.[11] The statement calls for this course of action in order to illegally overturn the results of 2020 U.S. presidential election, asserting "There is no doubt President Donald J. Trump is the lawful winner of the presidential election. Joe Biden is not president-elect." [12]

COVID-19 Relief Funding

Leadership Institute President Morton C. Blackwell is a signatory of a May 8, 2020 letter put together by the Conservative Action Project, joining leaders from dozens of other right-wing groups to urge Congress to reject bailouts of state and local governments facing budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter claimed that many states had been fiscally irresponsible and that "a federally funded state bailout would reward the reckless states while punishing the prudent ones." [13]

However, an investigation by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) found that the Leadership Institute accepted Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans in April and May of 2020, receiving between $1 million and $2 million to retain 70 jobs. Other organizations whose leadership signed the May 8 letter and accepted PPP loans include Kelly J. Shackelford of the First Liberty Institute, Charlie Copeland of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy, and Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel. [14]

Activities

Campus Leadership Program

According to the organization's website, the program provides grants for activism, speakers, and publications; resource materials and activism ideas; in-person training and personal assistance.[15]

The Leadership Institute identifies, organizes, and trains conservative college students to promote and defend their values on campus. Tomorrow's conservative leaders begin their activism and political careers with the Institute's campus programs today. LI's unique network includes more than 1,884 campus groups in all 50 states.

National Field Program

According to LI:[16]

The Leadership Institute's National Field Program is a unique network of independent conservative campus groups and publications with a presence on colleges in all 50 states. LI's campus network is comprised of more than 1,870 campus groups advocating for their principles on issues like limited government, the free market, traditional values, and national defense. This one-of-a-kind network is supported by LI's experienced team of regional field coordinators -- who are ready at a moment's notice to help conservative students promote and defend their beliefs on campus.

CampusReform.org

The website campusreform.org is operated by the Leadership Institute. According to the right wing website, "As a watchdog to the nation's higher education system, Campus Reform exposes bias and abuse on the nation's college campuses. Our team of professional journalists works alongside student activists and student journalists to report on the conduct and misconduct of university administrators, faculty, and students. Campus Reform holds itself to rigorous journalism standards and strives to present each story with accuracy, objectivity, and public accountability."[17]

Conservatism101.org

The website conservatism101.org is operated by the Leadership Institute. Conservatism101 "brings an in-depth exploration of conservative philosophy to your campus or computer -- at no cost to you." The website highlights four areas of conservatism:[18]

  • Traditional Conservatism – focuses on the preservation of tradition and the justifications for the existence of natural law.
  • Libertarianism – focuses on philosophers who advocate for the free market and expansion of liberty through the reduction of government.
  • Social Conservatism – focuses on the defense of Judeo-Christian values, opposition to abortion, and support of traditional marriage.
  • Neo-conservatism – focuses on projecting American values to promote democracy, capitalism, and individual liberty.

The Joseph U. Oswald Patriot Online School Board Training Program

According to the website, the program is a training curriculum for conservatives to run successful campaigns for school board, in opposition to a perceived threat of left-leaning influence in local school districts. In addition, the website notes three specific learning objectives, with participants learning to:[19]

  • "Develop a campaign and communications strategies specifically for school board elections;"
  • "Communicate effectively with voters through highly effective voter contact techniques, scalable to highly localized elections;"
  • "Raise funds and build a volunteer team."

ConservativeJobs.com

ConservativeJobs.com is self-described as "the premier job board for conservative job seekers and employers." [20] In addition to providing a platform for conservative recruiters and job seekers to connect, the website also offers resources for interview preparation and navigation of the job search process.[21]

Ties to the Koch Network

LI has received substantial funding from organizations associated with the Koch Network, including several Koch family foundations, and DonorsTrust and the Donors Capital Fund. Between 2010 and 2021, these aforementioned organizations gave nearly one and a half million to LI.

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 Bradley Foundation

Between 2002 and 2022, LI received nearly $950,000 from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and the Bradley Impact Fund.

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.

Ties to the State Policy Network

LI is listed as a "partner" of the State Policy Network (SPN), a web of right-wing “think tanks” and tax-exempt organizations in 50 states, Washington, D.C., Canada, and the United Kingdom.[22]

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.[23] 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.[24]

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.'"[25]

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.[26]

Ties to the Council for National Policy

LI President Morton C. Blackwell is one of the co-founders of the Council for National Policy (CNP), an umbrella organization and networking group for conservative and Republican activists in the United States. In addition, Blackwell is listed in the September 2020 CNP Membership Directory as the Treasurer of the Executive Committee and a member of the Board of Governors.[27] However, as of October 2023, Blackwell appears to no longer hold the position of Treasurer.[28]

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.

Ties to Moms For Liberty

The right-wing nonprofit Moms for Liberty (MFL) and LI have fostered a synergistic relationship based upon shared political objectives, as exemplified in the former's mission statement to "organize, educate and empower parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government." [29] LI's Digital Media Manager Dylan Craig detailed this collaboration with LI since M4L's beginning, writing in a July 2022 online post:[30]

As they saw their school boards dominated by Covid-19 fearmongers and leftist activists politicizing the classroom and corroding educational integrity, the founding members of Moms for Liberty quickly organized. They got advice from my boss, Morton Blackwell, and used Leadership Institute trainings and sheer determination to quickly become a national force.

According to an opinion piece published by the Bucks County Beacon, LI and M4L both organized a School Board Activist Workshop in January 2022, and LI facilitated three M4L School Board Activism and Campaign Trainings in February 2022. LI was the largest sponsor for M4L's national summit in July of 2022, which included Ron DeSantis, Rick Scott, Betsy DeVos and Ben Carson as speakers. LI was also a lead sponsor for MFL's 2023 national summit, and oversaw trainings for attendees on candidate vetting, grassroots lobbying, communications, running for office, strategic research, vote goals, and media.[31]

M4L co-founder Bridget Ziegler stepped down from her position as director in spring of 2021, and was subsequently hired by LI to serve as the Vice President of the School Board Leadership Program.[32]

Funding

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

Core Financials

2022[33]

  • Total Revenue: $39,249,420
  • Total Expenses: $34,475,593
  • Net Assets: $33,192,829

Grants Distributed

2021[34]

  • Total Revenue: $30,548,300
  • Total Expenses: $26,019,058
  • Net Assets: $29,581,966

Grants Distributed

2020[35]

  • Total Revenue: $23,638,240
  • Total Expenses: $20,433,534
  • Net Assets: $24,121,868

Grants Distributed

2019[36]

  • Total Revenue: $19,638,460
  • Total Expenses: $18,769,317
  • Net Assets: $20,264,832

Grants Distributed

2018[37]

  • Total Revenue: $15,965,603
  • Total Expenses: $19,298,125
  • Net Assets: $19,637,081

2017[38]

  • Total Revenue: $15,292,500
  • Total Expenses: $17,041,908
  • Net Assets: $23,903,960

2016[39]

  • Total Revenue: $14,566,169
  • Total Expenses: $15,808,115
  • Net Assets: $25,060,978

2015[40]

  • Total Revenue: $24,275,069
  • Total Expenses: $13,908,431
  • Net Assets: $25,982,007

2014[41]

  • Total Revenue: $14,894,507
  • Total Expenses: $13,576,928
  • Net Assets: $16,039,675

2013[42]

  • Total Revenue: $10,981,090
  • Total Expenses: $12,443,201
  • Net Assets: $14,922,074

2012[42]

  • Total Revenue: $11,750,817
  • Total Expenses: $11,954,255
  • Net Assets: $15,112,271

Past Students

Personnel

Board of Directors

As of November 27, 2023:

  • Morton Blackwell, President
  • M Dennis Daugherty, 1st Vice President
  • Ken Thornhill, 2nd Vice President
  • Craig Murphy, Treasurer
  • Ed Corrigan, Secretary
  • Patrick Pizzella, Director
  • Rev. Fred Fowler III, Director
  • John Maxwell, Director
  • Ryan Rhodes, Director
  • Star Parker, Director
  • Darío Paya, Director
  • Justin Ouimette, Director

Former Board of Directors

  • Chuck Cunningham, Director
  • Alexandre Pesey, Honorary Director
  • Michael Rothfeld, Director
  • Fred Sacher, Director Emeritus
  • Charles Thornhill, Director
  • Jade West, Director

Staff

As of November 27, 2023:[43]

  • Morton Blackwell, President
  • Steven Sutton, Senior Vice President
  • Cathy Graham, Executive Assistant to the President
  • David Fenner, Vice President of Programs
  • Matthew Hurtt, Director of Professional Services
  • Aly Lepinski, Intern Program Manager
  • Christopher Hayes, Deputy Director of Professional Services
  • William Johnson, Conservative Jobs Coordinator
  • Arin Steiner, Office Administrator
  • Taylor Tade, Career Programs Training Coordinator
  • Ryan Brann, Director of Communications Training
  • Caroline Cason, Communications Training Coordinator
  • Stephen Rowe, Director of Digital Training
  • Veronica Hayes, Digital Training Manager
  • Chandler Crump, CVENT Administrator
  • Kj Lynum, Events Coordinator
  • William Osborne, Program Operations Coordinator
  • Carol Cocks, Director of External Affairs
  • Lucas Antosh, Graphic Design Manager
  • Dylan Craig, Digital Marketing Manager
  • Cory Gibbons, Strategic Marketing Manager
  • Lucy Gilbert, Digital Content Coordinator
  • Josiah Kruse, External Affairs
  • Anya Crandall, Graphic Design Fellow
  • Robert Arnakis, Senior Director of Domestic and International Programs
  • Stephanie Maier, Senior Director of Curriculum Development and Training
  • Sadie Foster, California Director
  • Gerald Sirotnak, California Director
  • Phil Watson, Colorado Director
  • Holly Osborne Horn, Colorado Deputy Director
  • Angela Faulkner, Florida Director
  • Josh Emerick, Florida Deputy Director
  • Carlos Cardenas, Grassroots Deputy Director for Florida
  • Brittany Ellison, Georgia State Director
  • Stephen Aaron, Georgia Deputy Director
  • Lani Kaaa, Hawaii Director
  • Dakota Cook, North Carolina Deputy Director
  • Andrea Raffle, Pennsylvania State Director
  • Margot Crouch, Pennsylvania Deputy Director
  • Ernesto Diaz, Texas Deputy Director
  • Rick Tyler, Director of Core Schools
  • Isabel Velasco, Grassroots Administrator
  • Ron Nehring, Director of International Training
  • Katelyn Stozky, International Program Coordinator
  • Cody Huynh, Director of Studios
  • Sam Sares, Producer
  • Paiten Iselin, Studio Fellow
  • Josh Johnston, Studio Fellow
  • Essie Ostrowski, Studio Fellow
  • Ian Vega, Studio Fellow
  • Kirsten Holmberg, Director of Political and Fundraising Training
  • Cristina Novoa, Political Training Manager
  • Dena Espenscheid, Senior Director of Coalitions
  • Nathan Fatal, Director of Community Organizing
  • Jerry Sharp III, Deputy Director of Pro-Life Programs
  • Evan Allen, Chief of Staff to Senior Fellow
  • Mark Campbell, Senior Fellow
  • Bridget Ziegler, Vice President of School Board Leadership Program
  • Sofie Salmon, Deputy Director of School Board Leadership Program
  • Brittany Lyssy, Director of Communications, School Board Leadership Program
  • Kelly Crawford, Director of Operations, School Board Leaders Program
  • Erica Ramsey, Coalitions Coordinator, School Board Leaders Program
  • Byron Clark, School Board Leaders Trainer
  • Paige Lewis, School Board Leaders Trainer
  • Bryan Bernys, Vice President for the Campus Leadership Program
  • Celine Ciccio, Executive Editor for Campus Reform
  • Abigail Draiss, Operations Manager for Campus Reform
  • Zachary Marschall, Editor-in-Chief for Campus Reform
  • Jack Roberts, Associate Editor for Campus Reform
  • Isaac Faulkner, Christian Leaders Program Coordinator
  • Amanda Spiers, Christian Leadership Program Manager
  • Kristin Dobson, National Field Director
  • Ryan Steward, Senior Regional Field Coordinator
  • Wyatt Wiltse, Senior Regional Field Coordinator
  • Nolan Ackerman, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Trevor Benson, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Donovan Bradley, Regional Field Coordinator
  • MacKenzie Chavez, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Celtin Clardie, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Grant Cooke, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Skylar Culbertson, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Kayla Davidson, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Brett Dudenhoeffer, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Autumn Elkins, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Wilson Fields, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Chandler Glander, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Mitchell Harrison, Regional Field Coordinator
  • William "Hayden" Hard, Regional Field Coordinator
  • James Lowery, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Callista Mendoza, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Elora Moolenaar, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Coral Petillo, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Daniel Pinales, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Asiiat Shaikhalieva, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Catching Valentinis-Dee, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Riley Gaines, Director of Riley Gaines Center
  • Sarah Clark, Scheduler and Operations Manager of Riley Gaines Center
  • David Morgan, Campus Ambassador Coordinator
  • Charlotte Townsend, Campus Communications Manager
  • Carly Tomaine, Director of The Jay Henges Center for Youth Leadership
  • Lix Biesel, Youth Leadership School Coordinator
  • Timothy Cleveland, Campus Election Coordinator
  • Kayleigh Frederick, Youth Leadership School Coordinator
  • John Davis, Vice President for Growth and Development
  • Yana Myaskovskaya, Director of Development Strategy
  • Alexander Mercado, Administrative Assistant
  • Aron Railey, Director for Development Operations
  • Cassandra Davis, Development Operations Assistant
  • Evan Frost, Development Operations Officer
  • Patrick Jackson, Development Operations Associate
  • Jack Jackson, Development Operations Manager
  • Spencer Johnson, Development Operations Officer
  • Camille Romo, Direct Mail Assistant
  • Bridget Clark, Direct Mail Assistant
  • Adam Nicholson, Director of Donor Services
  • Anna Krause, Donor Services Officer
  • Andrew Greene, Donor Services Officer
  • Andres Nava, Donor Services Officer
  • Courtney Trollinger, Senior Director of Donor Relations
  • Jonathon Wilson, Director of Legacy Giving
  • Elizabeth Andrews, Deputy Director of Major Gifts
  • Alexandra Knowles, Senior Partnership Advisor
  • Grave Sullivan, Partnership Advisor
  • Addison Cowling, Partnership Advisor
  • Zachariah Brous, Partnership Advisor
  • Matt D'Alesio, Partnership Advisor
  • Janell Douvier, Partnership Advisor
  • John Landry, Partnership Advisor
  • Nathan Lehman, Partnership Advisor
  • Gabriel Lepinski, Partnership Advisor
  • Mitchell Nozka, Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy
  • Karla Bruno, Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations
  • Stephen Theriault, Director of Digital Marketing
  • Brandlee Tenenbaum, Director of Donor Communications
  • Jim Johnston, Creative Officer
  • Laurel Clark, Director of Marketing Operations
  • Erin Keaveny, Digital Operations Manager
  • Kaylee Soule, Donor Communications Coordinator
  • Gabe Waggoner, Marketing Operations Manager
  • Kristen Railey, Director for Development Events
  • Lydia Mackey, Development Event Coordinator
  • Stuart Monk, Director of Strategic Communications
  • Scott Moore, Writer
  • Peter Partoll, Writer
  • Andrew Bender, Vice President of Finance
  • Greg Bonvissuto, Finance Manager
  • Nozim Ishankulov, Assistant Controller
  • John Richardson, Human Resources Manager
  • Mark Centofante, Vice President for Technology and Operations
  • Daniel Klenck, Director of Building Management
  • Deirdre Hackleman, Director of Shared Services
  • Isaac Hudson, Associate Director of Data and Strategy
  • Chris Fries, Director of Technology
  • Jose De La Rosa, Information Technology Operations Specialist
  • Mikel Crump, Information Technology Support Specialist
  • Robert DeVries, Software Developer
  • Calvin Tzeng, Software Engineer

Former Staff

  • Peter Knickerbocker, Editorial Assistant to the President
  • Patricia Simpson, Director of Career Programs
  • Paul Alfonse, Intern Coordinator
  • Autumn Campbell, Communications Training Coordinator
  • Ben Woodward, Programs Coordinator
  • Jared Reni, Communications Training Director
  • Angel Chitnatham, Political Training Director
  • Thomas Bingham, Political Training Coordinator
  • Spencer Sullivan, Grassroots Programs Coordinator
  • Reynaldo Flores, Grassroots Programs Coordinator
  • Alexa Van Anne, International and Grassroots Program Coordinator
  • Carol Wehe, Director of External Affairs
  • Kyle Baccei, Communications Manager
  • Abigail Alger, Director of Digital Training
  • Sterling Beard, CampusReform.org Editor In Chief
  • Cabot Phillips, Director of Campus Outreach
  • Peter Fricke, Managing Editor
  • Anthony Gockowski, Investigative Reporter
  • Amber Athey, Investigative Reporter
  • Abe Alassaf, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Alex Witoslawski, Regional Field Coordinator
  • John Osborne, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Haley Roddie, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Joel Watson, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Kelsey Mix, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Allen Clarke, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Samuel Mariscal, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Joshua Platillero, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Hannah Weeks, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Bill Dowhy, Regional Field Coordinator
  • Ivy ElZaatari, Youth Leadership School Coordinator
  • Kaleigh Long, Youth Leadership School Coordinator
  • Morgun Sholty, Youth Leadership School Coordinator
  • Bethany Rolando, Regional Development Officer
  • John McGovern, Regional Development Officer
  • Oressa Boelk, Regional Development Officer
  • Aaron Rainwater, Regional Development Officer
  • Clark Vandeventer, Regional Development Officer
  • Rebecca Campbell, Donor Relations Officer
  • Courtney Brown, Donor Communications Coordinator
  • Maggie Ostrowski, Senior Donor Relations Officer
  • Nathan Wirebaugh, Donor Communications Coordinator
  • Hilary Hackleman, Donor Relations Officer
  • Erin Morrissey, Donor Relations Officer
  • Colson Steward, Donor Communications Assistant
  • Nathan Danielson, Donor Relations Officer
  • Phil Natalini, Senior Director of Technology
  • Nicholas Argyle, Director of Systems and Network Operations
  • Lonex Louisdor, Technology Support Technician
  • Hans Schulzke, Web and Database Programmer
  • Ryan Bolyard, Director of Web and Database Operations
  • Craig Dixon, Director of LI Studios
  • Joseph McGowan, Studio Producer
  • Joseph Metzger, VP of Finance
  • David Hempel, Controller
  • Christopher Bohn, Assistant Controller
  • Kat Timpf, Campus Reform reporter
  • James O'Keefe

Contact Information

Employer Identification Number (EIN): 51-0235174

Leadership Institute
1101 North Highland Street
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 247-2000
Fax: (703) 247-2001
Web: http://www.leadershipinstitute.org
Twitter: @Leadershipinst
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadershipInstitute/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-leadership-institute/

Articles and Resources

IRS 990 Filings

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Related SourceWatch articles

References

  1. ↑ Leadership Institute, about us, organizational website, accessed November 30, 2023.
  2. ↑ State Policy Network, directory, State Policy Network, accessed November 30, 2023.
  3. ↑ The Riley Gaines Center, about, organizational website, accessed November 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ The Riley Gaines Center, events, organizational website, accessed December 4, 2023.
  5. ↑ Branding Iron, "High attendance and protests for Riley Gaines", Branding Iron, October 30, 2023.
  6. ↑ Paton D. Roberts and Sophia C. Scott, "Riley Gaines, Swimmer Who Criticized Trans Women's Participation in Athletics, Draws Student Demonstration at Harvard", The Harvard Crimson, October 27, 2023.
  7. ↑ Chuck Quirmback, "Here comes the Republican debate to Milwaukee, and here are the protests, WUWM 89.7, August 23, 2023.
  8. ↑ Conservative Action Project, "Conservatives oppose H.R.1, the Ultimate Fantasy of the Left", Conservative Action Project, February 10, 2021.
  9. ↑ Alex Kotch and David Armiak, "Right-Wing Groups United in Campaign Against Bill to Improve U.S. Democracy", PRWatch, March 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ Alex Kotch, "Right Promotes 'Big Lie' of Widespread Voter Fraud at CPAC Conference", PRWatch, March 2, 2021.
  11. ↑ Alex Kotch, "Conservative activist leaders call for an end to democracy", PRWatch, December 11, 2020.
  12. ↑ Conservative Action Project, "Conservatives call on state legislators to appoint new electors, in accordance with the Constitution", Conservative Action Project, December 10, 2020.
  13. ↑ Conservative Action Project, "No state & local government bailouts in COVID-19 relief legislation", Conservative Action Project, May 8, 2020.
  14. ↑ Alex Kotch, "Right-wing groups opposing state and local coronavirus bailouts take millions in PPP loans", Exposed by CMD, July 14, 2020.
  15. ↑ Leadership Institute, Campus, organizational website, accessed April 12, 2017.
  16. ↑ Leadership Institute, NFP, organizational website, accessed April 12, 2017.
  17. ↑ CampusReform.org, about, Leadership Institute, accessed April 12, 2017.
  18. ↑ Conservatism101, Curriculum, Leadership Institute, accessed April 12, 2017.
  19. ↑ Joseph U. Oswald Patriot Online School Board Training Program, about, Leadership Institute, accessed November 29, 2023.
  20. ↑ ConservativeJobs.com, about, Leadership Institute, accessed November 29, 2023.
  21. ↑ ConservativeJobs.com, resources, Leadership Institute, accessed November 29, 2023.
  22. ↑ State Policy Network, directory, State Policy Network, accessed November 30, 2023.
  23. ↑ David Armiak, State Policy Network and Affiliates Raises $152 Million Annually to Push Right-Wing Policies, ExposedbyCMD, September 30, 2022.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ Jane Mayer, Is IKEA the New Model for the Conservative Movement?, The New Yorker, November 15, 2013.
  26. ↑ Ed Pilkington and Suzanne Goldenberg, State conservative groups plan US-wide assault on education, health and tax, The Guardian, December 5, 2013.
  27. ↑ Council for National Policy, [copy provided by Brent Allpress "September 2020 Membership Directory"], Council for National Policy, September 2020.
  28. ↑ Council for National Policy, 2022 IRS Form 990, annual organizational tax filing, October 17, 2023.
  29. ↑ Moms for Liberty, about, Moms for Liberty, accessed November 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ Dylan Craig, "Moms for Liberty takes the national stage", Leadership Institute, July 22, 2022.
  31. ↑ Maurice T. Cunningham, "Pulling back the curtain on the Leadership Institute's dominion over Moms for Liberty", Bucks County Beacon, June 27, 2023.
  32. ↑ Leadership Institute, Bridget Ziegler, Leadership Institute, accessed November 30, 2023.
  33. ↑ Leadership Institutes, 2022 IRS form 990, organizational tax filing, September 13, 2023.
  34. ↑ Leadership Institutes, 2021 IRS form 990 organizational tax filing, July 5, 2022.
  35. ↑ Leadership Institutes, 2020 IRS form 990 organizational tax filing, June 28, 2021.
  36. ↑ Leadership Institutes, 2019 IRS form 990 organizational tax filing, November 17, 2019.
  37. ↑ Leadership Institutes, 2018 IRS form 990 organizational tax filing, April 29, 2019.
  38. ↑ Leadership Institutes, 2017 IRS form 990 organizational tax filing, April 5, 2018.
  39. ↑ Leadership Institute, [paper copy on file with CMD, 2016 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, March 28, 2017.
  40. ↑ Leadership Institute, 2015 IRS Form 990, Internal Revenue Service, April 8, 2016.
  41. ↑ Leadership Institute, 2014 IRS Form 990, Internal Revenue Service, April 2, 2015.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Leadership Institute, 2013 IRS Form 990, Internal Revenue Service, April 16, 2014.
  43. ↑ Leadership Institute, [1], organizational website, accessed November 27, 2023.
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