1792 Exchange

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The 1792 Exchange claims "to develop policy and resources to protect and equip nonprofits, small businesses, and philanthropy from ‘woke capitalism,’ to educate Congress and stakeholder organizations about the dangers of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) policies, and to help steer public companies in the United States back to neutral on ideological issues.”[1] The group is registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit with the IRS info under the name "Constitutional Congress INC"[2]

As of September 2022, 1792 Exchange is a gold-level sponsor of the State Financial Officers Foundation.[3]

News and Controversies

Fueling Rightwing's Manufactured Crisis Around ESGs

In February 2022, a group of Republican state financial officers gathered in New Orleans at a conference hosted by the State Financial Officers Foundation. Among the attendees was 1792 Exchange and various other rightwing groups. At the meeting, the main topic of conversation revolved around criticizing Wall Street's use of ESG investing methods.[4]

CNBC reported that "Records show the 1792 Exchange also has early ties to Cleta Mitchell, an attorney who worked with Trump as he tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election, and Ken Blackwell, a Republican former Ohio secretary of state. Fitzpatrick told CNBC that neither Mitchell nor Blackwell have a current role with the 1792 Exchange."[5]

Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council

1792 Exchange CEO Paul Fitzpatrick sits on the private advisory board of the American Legislative Exchange Council.[6]

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.

Model Contracts and Pamphlets

1792 Exchange and its fight against so-called "woke capitalism" has part of its efforts dedicated to creating model contracts and pamphlets for their allies. Below are several of these files obtained by The Center for Media and Democracy:

Spotlight Report

Another arm of the organization's efforts to stop "woke capitalism" comes from a tracking tool known as Spotlight Report. The tracker grades companies on their “policies, practices, and other relevant criteria to determine the likelihood a company will cancel a contract or client, or boycott, divest, or deny services based on views or beliefs.”[7]

Funding

1792 Exchange is not required to disclose its funders. Its major foundation funders, however, can be found through a search of the IRS filings. Here are some of the known funders:

  • Servant Foundation: $525,000 (2021)
  • National Christian Charitable Foundation: $6,000 (2017)

Core Financials

2022[8]

  • Total Revenue: $2,295,000
  • Total Expenses: $1,766,677
  • Net Assets: $529,250

Grants Distributed

2021[2]

  • Total Revenue: $225,000
  • Total Expenses: $225,431
  • Total Assets: $927

Personnel

Staff

  • Daniel Cameron, CEO[9]
  • Paul Fitzpatrick, President [1]
  • Erica Moshtahedian, Vice President [10]
  • Nathan Estruth, Chairman and Founder[11]
  • Banner Brock, Research Associate[11]
  • Carly Becker, Executive Assistant [12]
  • Brigit Ryan Shedd, Program and Development Manager[12]

Board of Directors

As of December 2022:[8]

  • Paul Fitzpatrick, CEO
  • Stanley Reiff, Director
  • Brian Morgan, Secretary/Treasurer

Former Board Members

Contact Information

1792 Exchange
675 N Deis Drive 255
Fairfield, Ohio, 45014
Phone: 800-906-7140
Email: info@1792exchange.com
Website: https://1792exchange.com/

Articles and Resources

IRS Form 990 Filings

2022

2021

Related Articles

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1792 Exchange about, [1], Organizational Website, accessed May 31, 2023
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 1792 Exchange 2021 990 IRS Filling, 2021 IRS 990 Filing, Internal Revenue Service, Accessed May, 2023
  3. 1792 Exchange About, [2], SFOF Exposed By The Center for Media and Democracy, accessed June 2023
  4. David Armiak, Republican Group of State Financial Officers Takes on Woke Capitalism, ExposedbyCMD, February 16, 2022.
  5. Brian Schwartz, How Trump allies and wealthy donors helped to fuel the GOP fight against ESG investing platforms, CNBC, March 1, 2023,
  6. David Armiak, ALEC Expands Private Board of Directors with Woke Capitalism Fighters, ExposedbyCMD, February 3, 2023.
  7. Spotlight Report about, [3], 1792 Exchange, Accessed May 2023
  8. 8.0 8.1 1792 Exchange, 2022 IRS 990 Filing, Internal Revenue Service, November 14, 2023
  9. Eleanor McCrary, Daniel Cameron named CEO of organization aimed at 'woke capitalism', Courier Journal, January 3, 2024.
  10. 2023 Lincoln Fellows, [4], Claremont Institue , Accessed May, 2023
  11. 11.0 11.1 SFOR National Meeting Attendee List, [5], State Financial Officers Foundation, Accessed May 2023
  12. 12.0 12.1 Linkedin Search, [6], Linkedin, Accessed June 7 2023