Quid Pro Quo (QPQ) Tracker
← Back to Influence Map
Entity DossierOrganization

DonorsTrust

Donor-advised fund that anonymizes conservative giving. The largest single source of funding to the conservative policy network. Described as the 'dark money ATM' of the right.

Tracked direct giving

$3,500,000

Connections

728

Outside Spending and Dark Money

Dark money is election spending by organizations that do not disclose their donors: 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, 501(c)(6) trade associations, and similar non-committee filers (FEC Form 5 and Form 9). Registered super PACs also make independent expenditures. But they itemize their donors with the FEC, so their spending is not dark money. Figures below are never combined with disclosed-donor totals.

IRS 990 Schedule I Grant Chain

Grants between nonprofits reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule I. Grants between organizations are one route for dark money. A nonprofit may receive a grant from one entity and then spend that money on election ads.

IRS 990 Schedule I grants given

$15,819,893

GranteeAmountTax YearPurpose
ROOTS & WINGS$150,0002024for general operations
Warren County Historical Society$7,5002024to create history museum
VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY$10,0002024for general operations
DAVID HOROWITZ FREEDOM CENTER$82,7002024for general operations
Accuracy in Media$148,2632024for general operations
American Computer & Robotics Museum$17,0002024for general operations
MISSION PRE-BORN INC$11,4002024for general operations
CENTER FOR AMERICAN RESTORATION INC$573,0002024for general operations
GOLDWATER INSTITUTE$342,0002024for general operations
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES AND ALUMNI$75,0002024for the Civic Education Initiative
FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL INC$20,0002024for general operations
National Society of Colonial Dames of America - Connecticut$7,5002024for historical building preservation
Mountain States Legal Foundation$6,0002024for the 2nd Amendment project
THE REASON FOUNDATION$4,987,2252024for general operations
Sutherland Institute$70,0002024for general operations
ACANI Inc$2,770,0002024for general operations
CARENET$10,0002024for general operations
CENTRAL FUND OF ISRAEL$10,0002024for Yad Adhava
Compassion and Choices$100,1002024for general operations
Heal Traumas International (Heal Ukraine Trauma)$20,0002024to Heal Ukraine Trauma initiative
Economic Fundamentals Initiative$800,0002024for general operations
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION$10,0002024for the Lyceum Program
Hollywood Senior Center$12,0002024for the purchase of food
Decriminalize Sex Work$1,215,0002024for general operations
Government Accountability Institute$500,0002024for general operations
WALKAWAY FOUNDATION$14,5002024for general operations
Center for Christian Virtue$10,1002024for general operations
New Harvest$48,0002024for general operations
HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CARY INC$35,0002024for general operations
MACKINAC CENTER$2,885,2002024for general operations
YOUNG MENS & YOUNG WOMENS HEBREW ASSOCIATION$7,0002024to support the 92d Street Y
Passages America Israel Inc$50,0002024for the Israel War Relief Fund
Abbeville Institute Ltd$10,0002024for general operations
NATIONAL LEGAL & POLICY CENTER$74,7002024for general operations
Historic Annapolis$5,5552024for museum exhibits
JUDICIAL WATCH$50,0002024for election integrity and to prevent government over-reach
Christ Central Presbyterian Church$10,0002024for general operations
Students for Concealed Carry Foundation$20,0002024for general operations
THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION$10,0002024for historical document preservation
Voices for a Second Chance$10,0002024for the New Terrain Pathway to Stability Program
Yunes Foundation for Research on Aging$20,0002024for general operations
MONTCLAIR FOUNDATION INC$25,0002024for the Van Vleck House & Gardens capital campaign
COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC POLICY ALTERNATIVES$10,0002024to support the Tribute to Tom Beach
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LAW SCHOOL FOUNDATION$10,0002024to support the Texas Review of Law & Politics via the Tex Lezar Scholarship Fund
Cascade Policy Institute$100,0002024for the educational choice project and the Children's Scholarship Fund-Oregon program
IzzitOrg$311,7002024for general operations
THE FUND FOR AMERICAN STUDIES$10,0002024to support the Economics for Leaders program
EdChoice Inc$6,4502024for general operations
Support Our Scholars$22,0002024for general operations
First Baptist Church of Albany$110,0002024for general operations

IRS 990 Schedule I grants received

$95,414,495

GrantorAmountTax YearPurpose
The 85 Fund$92,050,0002023General Support
COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC POLICY ALTERNATIVES$120,0002023PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE I-PART IV-SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA$19,9402023CHARITABLE DONATION
Schwab Charitable$300,1002023PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
Pelican Institute Public$50,0002022FREE MARKET POLICY
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund$2,874,4552022For grant recipient's exempt purposes

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I (Grants and Other Assistance to Organizations) via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990 XML e-files. Grant amounts represent the most recent filing year available.

IRS 990 data lags a year or more behind filing. Grants shown are for the stated tax year and do not establish current-cycle funding.

Methodology Disclosure

Dark money figures are derived from FEC Form 5 (independent expenditures by non-committee organizations) and Form 9 (electioneering communications). These filings capture spending on ads and election communications but do not reveal the identity of the organization's donors. QPQ totals may differ from benchmarks like the Brennan Center's estimates. QPQ includes all Form 5 filers, while some benchmarks count only a subset of non-disclosing nonprofits. Grant chain data is from IRS Form 990 Schedule I and may not include all years or all grantee organizations.

Connection Graph
0 nodes · 0 edgesHover for labels · Double-click to expand
Loading graph...
Person
Organization
PAC
Gov Body
Legislature
Think Tank
Industry
Outcome

Click a node to see details

Double-click to expand its connections

Donations Given and Outside Spending

Largest 50 records. Rows badged “Spent to support” or “Spent to oppose” are independent expenditures this entity paid to vendors for or against the named candidate. That money was not given to them.

RecipientAmountDateCycle
Federalist Society$3,500,000Mar 1, 20232024

Relationships

TypeConnected ToDetailsSource
Gave money toFirst Baptist Church of AlbanyIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $110,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toROOTS & WINGSIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $150,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toWarren County Historical SocietyIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $7,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to create history museumSource
Gave money toVIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETYIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toDAVID HOROWITZ FREEDOM CENTERIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $82,700 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toAccuracy in MediaIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $148,263 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toAmerican Computer & Robotics MuseumIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $17,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toMISSION PRE-BORN INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $11,400 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toCENTER FOR AMERICAN RESTORATION INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $573,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toGOLDWATER INSTITUTEIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $342,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toAMERICAN COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES AND ALUMNIIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $75,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Civic Education InitiativeSource
Gave money toFAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $20,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toNational Society of Colonial Dames of America - ConnecticutIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $7,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for historical building preservationSource
Gave money toMountain States Legal FoundationIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $6,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the 2nd Amendment projectSource
Gave money toTHE REASON FOUNDATIONIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $4,987,225 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toSutherland InstituteIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $70,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toACANI IncIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $2,770,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toCARENETIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toCENTRAL FUND OF ISRAELIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for Yad AdhavaSource
Gave money toCompassion and ChoicesIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $100,100 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toHeal Traumas International (Heal Ukraine Trauma)IRS 990 Schedule I grant of $20,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to Heal Ukraine Trauma initiativeSource
Gave money toEconomic Fundamentals InitiativeIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $800,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toCLEMSON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Lyceum ProgramSource
Funded research atCato InstituteDonorsTrust donated ~$5.0M to Cato Institute (2008-2023)Editorial
Funded research atHeartland InstituteDonorsTrust donated ~$4.0M to Heartland Institute (2008-2023)Editorial
Funded research atThe Heritage FoundationDonorsTrust donated ~$10.0M to The Heritage Foundation (2010-2023)Editorial
Gave money toHollywood Senior CenterIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $12,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the purchase of foodSource
Gave money toDecriminalize Sex WorkIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $1,215,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toGovernment Accountability InstituteIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $500,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toWALKAWAY FOUNDATIONIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $14,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toCenter for Christian VirtueIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,100 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toNew HarvestIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $48,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toHOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CARY INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $35,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toMACKINAC CENTERIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $2,885,200 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toYOUNG MENS & YOUNG WOMENS HEBREW ASSOCIATIONIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $7,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to support the 92d Street YSource
Gave money toPassages America Israel IncIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $50,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Israel War Relief FundSource
Gave money toAbbeville Institute LtdIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toNATIONAL LEGAL & POLICY CENTERIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $74,700 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Donated toFederalist SocietyDonors Trust channels anonymous conservative donationsSource
Advocated forLoper Bright v. Raimondo (Chevron overturned)Donors Trust is the largest conservative donor-advised fund and has been the primary anonymous funding pipeline for Federalist Society and Cause of Action Institute lawsuits including the litigation strategy resulting in Loper Bright v. Raimondo.Source
Gave money toHistoric AnnapolisIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $5,555 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for museum exhibitsSource
Gave money toJUDICIAL WATCHIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $50,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for election integrity and to prevent government over-reachSource
Gave money toChrist Central Presbyterian ChurchIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toStudents for Concealed Carry FoundationIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $20,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toTHE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATIONIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for historical document preservationSource
Gave money toVoices for a Second ChanceIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the New Terrain Pathway to Stability ProgramSource
Gave money toYunes Foundation for Research on AgingIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $20,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toMONTCLAIR FOUNDATION INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $25,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Van Vleck House & Gardens capital campaignSource
Gave money toCOMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC POLICY ALTERNATIVESIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to support the Tribute to Tom BeachSource
Gave money toUNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LAW SCHOOL FOUNDATIONIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to support the Texas Review of Law & Politics via the Tex Lezar Scholarship FundSource
Gave money toCascade Policy InstituteIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $100,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the educational choice project and the Children's Scholarship Fund-Oregon programSource
Gave money toIzzitOrgIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $311,700 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toTHE FUND FOR AMERICAN STUDIESIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to support the Economics for Leaders programSource
Gave money toEdChoice IncIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $6,450 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toSupport Our ScholarsIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $22,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toFOCUS ON THE FAMILYIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $500,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to fund nursing staff grantsSource
Gave money toFoundation for the ConstitutionIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $200,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toBuchanan Log House Chapter APTAIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $7,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for historical building preservationSource
Gave money toEmergent Order FoundationIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $275,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for GoodKid video projectsSource
Gave money toWord on FireIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $20,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toINSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIESIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $25,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Academic Mentorship ProgramSource
Gave money toThomas More Law CenterIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $23,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toAging With DignityIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $2,000,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toIsrael Independence FundIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $150,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for upgrading the Nirim cowshedsSource
Gave money toCAMPUS CRUSADEIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $50,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to support the ministry of John Book (account #: 0446650)Source
Gave money toCato InstituteIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $125,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Sphere Education initiativeSource
Gave money toJEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGOIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $1,000,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for a donor-advised fundSource
Gave money toCatholic Laity and Clergy RenewalIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $50,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toThe Lawfare ProjectIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $25,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toWashington County Historical Society (MD)IRS 990 Schedule I grant of $7,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for museum exhibitsSource
Gave money toTRUE THE VOTE INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $7,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for election integrity projectsSource
Gave money toCitizens Defending Freedom USA FoundationIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $7,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for election-related educational activitiesSource
Gave money toDISCOVERY INSTITUTEIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $1,875,200 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toAMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $20,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toCitizens Against Government WasteIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $6,300 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toACTON INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND LIBERTYIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $6,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to support the Calihan Awards and Brazil at AUSource
Gave money toThe American CauseIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $60,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Meme Defense FundSource
Gave money toRussell Kirk Center for Cultural RenewalIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $35,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toSagamore InstituteIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $250,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Secretaries' Innovation GroupSource
Gave money toJack Miller Center for Teaching America's Founding Principles and HistoryIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $30,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the American Political Tradition ProjectSource
Gave money toReal Clear FoundationIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $4,150,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toWyoming Liberty GroupIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $725,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toAmerican Council on Science & HealthIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $53,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toMEDIA RESEARCH CENTER INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $124,360 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toUniversity of Notre DameIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $50,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to support the Cavanaugh CouncilSource
Gave money toInvestigative Project on Terrorism FoundationIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $50,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toLUCY BURNS INSTITUTEIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $100,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for educational efforts related to school board and district electionsSource
Gave money toAMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCILIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $68,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toInstitute on Religion & DemocracyIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $350,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toEagle Forum Educational & Legal Defense FundIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $65,100 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toSoutheastern Legal FoundationIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $100,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to support the Save America's Schools projectSource
Gave money toThe Heritage FoundationIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $365,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Going On Offense On Gender Ideology projectSource
Gave money toINTERCOLLEGIATE STUDIES INSTITUTE INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $5,552 (tax year 2024). Purpose: to support the Core Program for EducationSource
Gave money toYOUNG AMERICAS FOUNDATIONIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $160,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for the Ben Shapiro lecture seriesSource
Gave money toCouncil for National PolicyIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $19,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toTHE YANKEE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES INCIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $55,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOMIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $10,000 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for Litigation for Defending Free SpeechSource
Gave money toVirginia Institute for Public PolicyIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $543,500 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toBeacon Center of TennesseeIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $221,950 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Gave money toInstitute for Free SpeechIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $739,600 (tax year 2024). Purpose: for general operationsSource
Hosts research funded byRobert MercerRobert Mercer donated ~$25.0M to DonorsTrust (2010-2020)Editorial
Hosts research funded byRichard Mellon Scaife FoundationRichard Mellon Scaife Foundation donated ~$10.0M to DonorsTrust (2005-2014)Editorial
Hosts research funded bySchwab CharitableSchwab Charitable donated ~$15.0M to DonorsTrust (2010-2023)Editorial
Hosts research funded byKoch IndustriesKoch Industries donated ~$50.0M to DonorsTrust (2005-2023)Editorial
Received money fromThe 85 FundIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $92,050,000 (tax year 2023). Purpose: General SupportSource
Received money fromCOMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC POLICY ALTERNATIVESIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $120,000 (tax year 2023). Purpose: PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE I-PART IV-SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIONSource
Received money fromPelican Institute PublicIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $50,000 (tax year 2022). Purpose: FREE MARKET POLICYSource
Received money fromFidelity Investments Charitable Gift FundIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $2,874,455 (tax year 2022). Purpose: For grant recipient's exempt purposesSource
Received money fromCHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICAIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $19,940 (tax year 2023). Purpose: CHARITABLE DONATIONSource
Received money fromSchwab CharitableIRS 990 Schedule I grant of $300,100 (tax year 2023). Purpose: PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFITSource