Thread by @JuddLegum

1. In 2020, Critical Race Theory was an obscure academic theory

In 2021, a chorus of voices claims CRT an existential threat to the country

Who is financing this effort?

We've identified an obscure foundation funding at least 21 groups attacking CRT

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

2. Non-profits and media orgs promoting anti-CRT hysteria keep their funding SECRET

Private foundations, however, have to disclose their spending to the IRS

Looking at this data, one group kept appearing again and again: The Thomas W. Smith Foundation

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

3. Who is Thomas W. Smith? He runs a hedge fund out of Boca Raton Florida and keeps a low profile

His foundation has no website, but is run by James Piereson, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute

Piereson is prolific and provides insight into what motives the foundation's giving

4. Piereson opposes all efforts to address economic or racial inequality -- even those undertaken by private charities.

He wrote about this in a series of columns published in 2019.

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

5. Piereson also opposes classes dedicated to the study of women, Black people, or the LGBTQ community in universities, saying these topics lack "academic rigor."

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

6. Piereson claims that "racial bigotry and violence against women" is not a big problem on college campuses, calling concern about such issues "irrational."

This is the person who is funding a constellation of groups attacking CRT

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

7. It would be hard for Piereson and the Thomas W. Smith foundation to generate excitement around tired arguments opposing diversity and racial equality.

It's easier to advocate against CRT, a term that sounds scary but no one really understands.

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

8. A popular.info investigation found that between 2017 and 2019, the Thomas W. Smith foundation donated $12.75 million to at least 21 organizations attacking CRT.

(The foundation's 2020 spending won't be available until later this year.)

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

9. The top recipient of money from the Thomas W. Smith Foundation is the Manhattan Institute.

It received $4.32 million from 2017 to 2019.

It employs Chris Rufo, who is the leading source of misinfo on CRT

Smith sits on the Manhattan Institute board

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

10. Other major recipients of money from the Charles W. Smith Foundation include The Heritage Foundation (525K), ALEC (425K), and the State Policy Network (3.57M), three organizations behind the flood of state legislation to ban CRT

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

11. The Thomas W Smith Foundation is also funding numerous media orgs that are producing an avalanche of anti-CRT columns & "reporting"

@DailyCaller (100K)
@FDRLST (100K)
@NRO (45K)
@prageru (100K)
@RealClearPR (200K)
@amspectator (210K)
@amconmag (100K)

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

12. The actual spending by the Thomas W. Smith foundation on anti-CRT efforts is likely much higher since we don't have 2020 spending and many of the groups set up specifically to attack CRT were not created until 2020

popular.info/p/the-obscure-…

13. Popular.info will continue to peel back the onion and keep you informed.

We always follow the money.

For updates and accountability journalism, sign up ➡️ popular.info/subscribe