A group linked to an influential conservative activist has reportedly spent a whopping $183 million in a single year, according to a recent report by the Center for Responsive Politics.
The group, known as the DonorsTrust, is a donor-advised fund that allows wealthy donors to make anonymous contributions to various conservative and libertarian causes. The organization has been associated with the Koch network, a group of conservative donors and organizations that have exerted significant influence on American politics in recent years.
According to the report, DonorsTrust distributed $183 million in grants in 2022, up from $173 million the previous year. The organization’s largest grant recipients included conservative and libertarian think tanks like the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute, as well as various advocacy groups and media outlets.
Critics of the organization argue that DonorsTrust is a means for wealthy donors to influence American politics without transparency or accountability. The group does not disclose the identity of its donors, and critics argue that this allows wealthy individuals and corporations to funnel money into political causes without facing public scrutiny.
Proponents of DonorsTrust, however, argue that the organization serves as an important means for individuals to support causes they believe in without fear of retribution or harassment. They also argue that the organization’s grants support a diverse range of causes and organizations, including those that may not have access to traditional funding sources.
The report comes at a time when the role of money in American politics has become an increasingly contentious issue, with many advocating for greater transparency and accountability in political financing. The Biden administration has pledged to crack down on dark money in politics, but it remains to be seen how effective these efforts will be.
Regardless, the report highlights the significant influence that wealthy donors can exert on American politics, and the need for greater transparency and accountability in political financing.