Advancing American Freedom
Advancing American Freedom (AAF) is a conservative 501(c)(4) nonprofit established in April 2021 by Former Vice President Mike Pence.[1]
About the organization, Pence said, "Advancing American Freedom plans to build on the success of the last four years by promoting traditional conservative values and promoting the successful policies of the Trump administration."[1]
According to the organization's website, "AAF serves the Conservative Movement by developing innovative policy solutions, strategies, coalitions, and messaging that builds upon those accomplishments, expands freedom for all Americans, and hampers anything that would threaten America’s standing as the greatest nation on the face of the Earth."[2]
Contents
Ties to the Council for National Policy
Mike Pence and multiple members of AAF's advisory board are connected to the secretive Christian Right Council for National Policy (CNP), as guest speakers, members, board members, or executive committee members.
CNP Guest Speakers:
- Kirk Cameron (2020)
- Rick Santorum (2015)
CNP Members:
- Ed Meese
- Edwin J. Feulner
- Kellyanne Conway
- Lisa Nelson
- Marjorie Dannenfelser
- Michael P. Farris
- Mike Pence
- Star Parker
CNP Board of Governors Members:
- David McIntosh
- Kay Coles James
- Rebecca Hegelin
- Scott Walker
CNP Executive Committee Members:
- Jenny Beth Martin
- Jim DeMint
- Penny Y. Nance
Council for National Policy |
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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 the American Legislative Exchange Council
Lisa Nelson, the CEO of the American Legislative Exchange Council, is a member of AAF's advisory board.
About ALEC |
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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.
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Funding
AAF is not required to disclose its funders. Major funders, however, were found through a search of IRS filings. Here are the known funders:
- The Concord Fund: $1,000,000 (2020)
Personnel
As of April 2021:[2]
Staff
- Mike Pence, Chairman
- Paul Teller, Executive Director
Advisory Board
- David Bernhardt
- Kirk Cameron
- Kellyanne Conway
- Kelly Craft
- Ken Cribb
- Jim Daly
- Marjorie Dannenfelser, president, Susan B. Anthony List
- Jim DeMint, chairman, Conservative Partnership Institute; former president, Heritage Foundation
- Doug Ducey
- Michael P. Farris, president and CEO, Alliance Defending Freedom
- Ed Feulner, founder, Heritage Foundation
- David Friedman
- Callista Gingrich
- Newt Gingrich
- Rebecca Hegelin
- Kay Coles James, president, Heritage Foundation
- Robert Jeffress
- Larry Kudlow
- Robert Lighthizer
- Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder and CEO, Tea Party Patriots
- David McIntosh, president, Club for Growth
- Ed Meese
- Penny Nance
- Lisa Nelson, CEO, American Legislative Exchange Council
- Star Parker
- John Ratcliffe
- Rick Santorum
- Scott Turner
- Seema Verma
- Russ Vought
- Scott Walker, president, Young America's Foundation
- Andrew Wheeler
Co-Chairs
- Marty Obst
- Chip Saltsman
- Marc Short
Contact Information
Advancing American Freedom
47 South Pennsylvania Street, Ste. 201
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Website: https://advancingamericanfreedom.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Advancing-American-Freedom-106925294739244
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advancingamericanfreedom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanFreedom
Articles and Resources
Freedom Agenda
Related SourceWatch
- 501(c)(4)
- Alliance Defending Freedom
- American Legislative Exchange Council
- Club for Growth
- Conservative Partnership Institute
- Council for National Policy
- Donald Trump
- Ed Meese
- Heritage Foundation
- Lisa Nelson
- Marjorie Dannenfelser
- Michael P. Farris
- Mike Pence
- Scott Walker
- Susan B. Anthony List
- Tea Party Patriots
- Young America’s Foundation