InfluenceWatch Friday

InfluenceWatch, a project of Capital Research Center, is a comprehensive and ever-evolving compilation of our research into the numerous advocacy groups, foundations, and donors working to influence the public policy process. The website offers transparency into these influencers’ funding, motives, and connections while providing insight often neglected by other watchdog groups.

The information compiled in InfluenceWatch gives news outlets and other interested parties research to use in reporting on significant topics that are often overlooked by the American public.

CRC is pleased to present some of the most significant additions to InfluenceWatch in the past week:

• Jews for Palestinian Right of Return (JPRR) is an online advocacy group calling for a Palestinian state extending “from the river to the sea,” while also accusing the state of Israel of genocide. In October 2023, JPRR expressed support for what it called the “Gaza Ghetto Uprising,” apparently comparing the October 7 Hamas terror attacks against Israel to revolts against the Nazis during World War 2. In November 2023, it endorsed the National March on Washington: Free Palestine, which called for ending U.S military aid to Israel.
• The Miami Freedom Project for Democracy is an immigration advocacy group that focuses on alleged disinformation in Spanish-language media. One of the group’s board members, Juan Cuba, is a former chair of the Democratic Party of Miami-Dade County. A director, Leonardo Felice Gorordo, served in the administrations of presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. In 2024, Miami Freedom Project for Democracy was one of numerous left-of-center groups to sign a letter to Congressional leaders, calling on elected officials to denounce inflammatory rhetoric that they alleged had been used to refer to illegal immigrants in the United States.
• Michigan Families for Fair Care (MFFC) is a left-of-center pop-up organization created to oppose the reelection campaign of U.S. Representative John James (R-MI), claiming that he puts “Big Pharma” ahead of his constituents. MFFC was created by Unrig Our Economy (UOE), an activist group that has received funding from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a nonprofit managed by consulting firm Arabella Advisors. UOE has launched similar groups opposing Republican members of Congress up for reelection in 2024, including Lower Costs California targeting Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), and Nebraska For Us targeting Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
• Sentient Media is an online news outlet focused on environmentalist policies, climate change, and alleged animal cruelty in the commercial farming industry. It has an editorial fellowship designed to benefit “historically marginalized” groups and to expose the “systemic exploitation” of food production workers. According to its tax forms and website, Sentient Media has received funding from some left-of-center sources including the Craigslist Charitable Fund and Builders Vision.
• Unidos MN is an immigration advocacy group based in Minnesota that also focuses on issues relating to Latino identity politics and “climate justice.” In 2022, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a nonprofit managed by consulting firm Arabella Advisors, gave $50,000 to Unidos MN for “environmental programs.” Unidos MN is a partner organization of the We Choose Us coalition. During the 2023 Minnesota state legislative session, We Choose Us advocated for policies that included voter pre-registration for 16 and 17-year-olds, restoring voting rights for convicted criminals, and a permanent absentee voting list.