BREAKING NEWS
2022
Campaign Victory as YouTube and Google Ban Ads on Climate Misinformation
1.31.22
With a significant vote at stake, students at Brown University are demanding school leadership reject a proposal that would expand Koch influence on campus.
Brown is considering expanding the Political Theory Project (PTP) into a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) Center. Campus group, Students Against Koch Influence(SAKI), understands what happens when Koch money infiltrates and influences a university. From influencing curriculum (including textbooks chosen and courses offered), to faculty hires/fires, fellows selected, and more, the Koch network has molded academic departments and centers to his benefit at campuses across the country for years. Not only is academic freedom undermined, but it allows the Koch network to leverage a school’s prestigious reputation and legacy in order to launder their impact on our democracy, climate, and economy.
2021
Campaign Victory as YouTube and Google Ban Ads on Climate Misinformation
11.09.21
UnKoch My Campus is celebrating a campaign victory, a year and a half in the making! After launching our YouTube Go Green campaign to “ditch denial dollars,” on Earth Day of 2020, UnKoch My Campus continued to push for YouTube to stop incentivizing climate disinformation on its platform. Finally, last month, YouTube and Google announced that they will be banning ads with climate misinformation.
Academics Step Down From Power & Accountability in Tech Event, Asking UCLA to Say NO to Koch Money and Influence
11.04.21
A UCLA Power & Accountability in Tech event taking place this week is watching in real time as academics from various universities (UCLA, Berkeley), are stepping down from participating in protest of Koch money and influence on campus.
“If we don’t resist Koch funding now, the critical tech and data policy space can become their arm of white supremacy libertarianism in the next five years. The funding landscape for tech and accountability is already compromised, but Koch’s commitment to deregulation of industry and white supremacy poses a unique danger. They’re not as entrenched in this space as Big Tech, and we have the capacity to refuse their influence. We can win.” -- J. Khadijah Abdurahman, Tech Fellow, AI Now Institute
NEW REPORT DETAILS KOCH NETWORK’S MULTILAYERED ATTEMPTS AT CONTROLLING K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION
08.11.21
UnKoch My Campus’ newest report, “The Koch Network and the Capture of K-12 Education,” demonstrates how the Koch network methodically works to capture and privatize public education for its own gain. The report looks at national trends, and chose to highlight Arizona as the specific case study, since the state is a red flag example of how the Koch agenda comes into play at the expense of students, teachers, and public education as a whole. The report was written with the help of our summer fellows and produced alongside Save Our Schools Arizona.
In order to influence K-12 public education, the Koch network has financed local, state, and national mechanisms to create multiple crises -- only to turn around and cite these same crises as reasons to adopt their free market solutions. The Koch network has made no secret about the critical role that public education plays as an ideal arena for influencing U.S. policy and culture.
NEW REPORT LINKS KOCH NETWORK TO SPREAD OF ANTI-CRITICAL RACE THEORY “PANIC” AND LEGISLATION
07.20.21
UnKoch My Campus’ newest report, “Koch Funded Moral Panic: Ultra Right Think Tanks and Critical Race Theory,” analyzes published materials from Koch network think tanks and reveals that the anti-Critical Race Theory movement is a product of a coordinated dark money campaign.
Our team reviewed the published materials of 28 think tanks and political organizations affiliated with the Koch network and analyzed the rhetorical tactics Koch network think tanks have deployed around Critical Race Theory(CRT) and their efforts to ban it from public schools. During the investigation period, we found that Koch network think tanks published 146 articles, podcasts, reports, or videos about CRT.
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Koch Front Group, Emboldening Dark Money Donations
07.01.21
In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court sided with the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity Foundation, ruling that California cannot require charities soliciting contributions in the state to report the identities of their major donors. This is a win for the Koch network and others who use dark money donations to benefit their agendas. Other progressive organizations have joined UnKoch My Campus in releasing a statement that decries the court’s ruling.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Americans for Prosperity v. Bonta -- produced by a majority partisan bench -- allows the Koch network to bypass long-standing confidential disclosure rules for groups given the privilege of non-profit status. In this case, the state required private disclosure of major donors and used that information as part of its oversight. The Court struck down those decades-old rules.
UNKOCH MY CAMPUS RELEASES DASHBOARD TO EASILY SEARCH KOCH FUNDING IN HIGHER ED
06.07.21
On the heels of UnKoch My Campus’ newest report detailing Koch Foundation spending in Higher Education, we’ve launched our interactive search dashboard, which will allow users to find a particular school and follow the funding from 2005-2019.
The dashboard was created using a dataset from our Funding Report. There are three different ways to use it: It is searchable using a school’s name to see how much money Charles Koch has donated from 2005-2019; it can be viewed as individual giving by year; And it also shows the data as a heat map in action, demonstrating how widespread Koch’s donations and influence have become.
New Report Shows Koch Foundation Increased University Funding by $24.4 Million in 2019
05.17.21
UnKoch My Campus has released their new report detailing Koch Foundation spending in Higher Education. Using tax records, the project discovered that in 2019, Koch university funding totaled $112,044,071. This is an increase of $24.24 million from 2018. It’s the second year in a row that Koch outspent its previous annual total by about $25 million. This one-year total is over a hundred million dollars more than Koch foundations spent annually on universities a decade ago, at $10.5 million in 2009.
George Mason University (GMU) in Virginia continues to eclipse all other schools that Koch funds. GMU, and the two Koch-controlled political organizations that are formally affiliated with GMU, the Mercatus Center and the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS), received a combined $23.4 million in 2019. GMU, Mercatus, and the IHS have received $179 million from Charles Koch’s foundations since 2005. This represents about 40% of Koch’s total $456.6 million in expenditures at over 500 college and university campuses and programs since 2005.
FOUR MONTHS LATER, CAMPUSES HAVE NOT DISTANCED THEMSELVES FROM KOCH NETWORK “BLOOD MONEY” THAT FUNDED THE DEADLY INSURRECTION AT U.S. CAPITOL
05.06.21
Four months after the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol, leading U.S. colleges and universities – including George Mason University, George Washington University, Tufts University, and the University of Arizona – have not yet cut off financial ties to the Koch network that funded three of the groups central to the January 6th insurrection, according to a new report from UnKoch My Campus.
Titled “America’s Campuses Need to Distance Themselves From the Koch-Funded Insurrection,” the UnKoch My Campus report details how the Koch network funded the eight U.S. Senators who voted against ratifying the election of President Joseph Biden and also bankrolled three of the key groups – Rule of Law Defense Fund, Turning Point Action, and Tea Party Patriots – that did “robocalling” to get people to Washington, provided buses to ship them there in large numbers, and then let some of the most violent individuals loose on the U.S. Capitol.
UnKoch My Campus Publishes New Report on the Koch Network’s Role in Harming the Climate
04.19.21
In anticipation of Earth Day, UnKoch My Campus has released its latest report, “KILLING OUR CLIMATE: A Primer on the Koch Network’s Impact on the Environment Through Dark Money, Deceit, and Disinformation,” focusing on the connection between the Koch network and its impact on our climate. This report highlights why UnKoch My Campus remains a top expert when it comes to exposing the far reaching influence of Charles Koch and his network.
From funding university-affiliated research centers and state-based think-tanks to making sure climate-denying politicians are seated in legislatures across the country, the Koch network has been one of the largest driving forces behind climate misinformation in the United States. This has stalled government action on climate change, disrupted efforts by the states to transition to renewable energies, and paved the way for the Trump administration's privatization of public lands.
George Mason University Must Rename Buchanan Hall to Begin Process of UnKoch-ing Entire Campus
03.29.21
UnKoch My Campus has launched a campaign to pressure George Mason University to rename Buchanan Hall in the hopes of beginning the process of eradicating the influence of the Koch network and its affiliates on campus.
By continuing to host a building with Buchanan as its namesake, Mason is glorifying a far-right ideology of politics and economics that posits the supremacy of a few wealthy elites over what Buchanan would describe as the “parasitic” masses. They tacitly endorse an ideology that sought to undermine the public’s ability to utilize democracy to preserve the common good, and sought to change the rules of the game in order to allow the 1% to subvert democracy to protect their own interests. George Mason University has become the hub of Charles Koch’s political network, continuing a long tradition of ultra-wealthy elites using Virginia’s residents and resources to bolster their wealth and further their agenda at the expense of the Commonwealth and those who reside there.
UnKoch My Campus Supports H.R. 1/S. 1 (For the People Act)
02.18.21
H.R. 1/S. 1, the For the People Act is a transformational democracy reform package that would help return power to everyday American families and amplify the voices of communities that have historically been marginalized in our democracy. UnKoch My Campus is urging Congress to support this necessary legislation.
For far too long, special interests, wealthy donors, and vote suppressors have dominated our politics and attempted to silence the voices of everyday Americans, especially in Black and Brown communities. The For the People Act would help shift power away from bad actors and transfer it to “we the people.” The 2020 election only proved the need for comprehensive, structural democracy reform. From rampant voter suppression, gerrymandering, and a deluge of special-interest dark money, Americans faced a host of challenges just to exercise their vote and have a say in our democracy.
Organizers Demand George Washington University Divest From Koch-Funded Center Complicit in Climate Crisis
02.10.21
After a successful organizing campaign in 2020, George Washington University, school administration committed to full divestment from fossil fuels, carbon neutrality by 2030, and reversing GW’s entire 200 year carbon footprint. Now, organizers at GW want their administration to take the next step and remove the Koch-funded Regulatory Studies Center(RSC) --which has been mired in climate misinformation and support of the fossil fuel industry-- from campus.
The RSC has repeatedly acted as a front for fossil fuel interests with a history of using GW’s name to provide credibility to climate deniers, fossil fuel cronies, and other discredited backers of pseudoscience. The center almost universally advocates against environmental regulation and relies primarily on researchers with ties to groups funded by the Koch family. The Trump administration acted on many of the center’s polluter-friendly recommendations, such as reducing the costs that the government attributes to greenhouse gases and raising the bar for issuing new energy efficiency standards.
With its historic commitments to divest from fossil fuels in June, GW has the opportunity to be one of the nation’s leaders in combating climate change. Unfortunately, by maintaining the RSC, they are still complicit in the climate crisis.
Citizens United Decision Still Making Its Harmful Impact Known 11 Years Later
01.21.21
On the 11th anniversary of the Citizens United decision, UnKoch My Campus has released a statement decrying the harm it has caused, and demanding justice.
The ruling of Citizens United has allowed for the influx of massive media campaigns endorsing politicians who represent the best interests of wealthy corporations, not the common good. Our economy continues to serve the ultra-wealthy elite on the backs of the working poor. Our democracy is in shambles with a house, senate, and judiciary infiltrated with corporate-backed politicians who are stripping away the rights and protections the working class relies upon for survival.
Only a couple of short weeks ago we saw proof positive what happens when corporate money is used to back politicians with a harmful agenda. Thirteen Senators, substantially backed by the Koch network, banded together and vowed to prevent the confirmation of President Joe Biden. Their actions helped spur violence at the Capitol building that would soon be decried by many on both sides of the aisle.
In Light of Capitol Insurrection, George Mason University Must Divest From Koch Funding
01.14.21
On Wednesday, January 6th, 2021, we watched in horror as rioters stormed the Capitol building, disrupting the certification of the 2020 election results. Earlier in the week, 13 GOP Koch-funded senators banned together to object to the congressional confirmation of Biden as our next president, legitimizing and paving the way for Wednesday’s insurrection, which caused the Capitol to be evacuated and has already left five dead. The fallout of this insurrection lays at the feet of these 13 senators and they must be held accountable.
Between the Koch PAC and personal donations from the Koch family itself, over $600,000 has gone into bankrolling the 13 Senators for just this latest election. In addition, the Koch-funded Super PACs Americans for Prosperity Action and Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce (now called the Stand Together Chamber of Commerce), spent nearly $15 million since 2016 in hopes of getting five of the 13 Senators (re)elected.
The same wealthy donor network that funded the GOP insurrectionists has a long history of funding at George Mason University. The George Mason University Foundation has received over $50 million from the Charles Koch Foundation (CKF) since 2005. More significantly, the university has also received additional funding from CKF to George Mason think thanks: the Mercatus Center has received over $10 million and the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) over $35 million. It’s these centers that provide the Koch network with the ability to exploit higher education institutions for their own benefit.
UnKoch My Campus Demands Koch Funded GOP Insurrectionists Be Held Accountable
01.08.21
Despite knowing that they would not change the outcome of the 2020 Presidential election, 13 senators from across the country vowed to unite against the confirmation of President-elect Joe Biden. In doing so, not only did they fail to uphold their oath to defend the Constitution, but they also gave the green light to right-wing protestors who had been vowing to take to the streets over the belief that the 2020 election results are fraudulent. These protestors marched to the Capitol and violently overtook the building. The fallout of this insurrection lays at the feet of these 13 senators and they must be held accountable.
It’s no surprise that each of these senators has been bankrolled by the Koch network. For years the Koch network and its vast coffers have been connected with misinformation campaigns -- whether it be climate or COVID-19 related, white supremacy, and much more.
Frontline Organizations Challenge Charles Koch’s “Political Awakening”
11.17.20
UnKoch My Campus has spearheaded an open letter to Charles Koch in response to the publication of his new book,Believe in People: Bottom-Up Solutions for a Top Down World. We’re reminding the corporate billionaire how he has stepped on the backs of those at “the bottom” in order to make his way to the top. Disregarding their health, safety, freedom, and even their lives, Charles Koch has a history of funneling his money into causes, people, and organizations that benefit him and his company, regardless of the cost to others and our climate.
From AZ to VA, Organizers Became KochBusters for National Day of Action
10.29.2020
In the spirit of Halloween, students, faculty, and community members on college campuses dressed up as Kochbusters and came together to exorcise Koch’s influence from schools across the country yesterday. Their message was clear: colleges and universities must end their affiliations with Koch-funded research centers.
UnKoch My Campus Co-Founder and Campaigns Director Transitions Role
10.14.2020
UnKoch My Campus co-founder and Director of Campaigns, Samantha Parsons, is transitioning from the Unkoch Team as paid staff and moving to serve the team as an advisor on future work. After eight years of investment and leadership to build a nationwide UnKoch Movement, Samantha is taking time to rest and dream.
Victory in AZ! Organizers Defeat Attempt at Making Koch-Backed Course a GenEd Offering at UA
9.21.2020
On September 16th, the University of Arizona's General Education Committee voted not to approve the Philosophy, Politics, Economics & Law course (PPEL 101) for general education status, in part due to the organizing by UnKoch My Campus AZ affiliate Kochs Off Campus!, as well as a presentation by UA Professor of History, David Gibbs.
The PPEL 101 course was developed by the Koch-funded Freedom Center, using a $2.9 million grant from the Templeton Foundation. The course --which has been offered at AU for several years despite consistent low enrollment-- is based on severe ideological concepts(ones that are beneficial to corporations and folks like the Kochs over workers).
Tufts University Must Cut Ties with the Center for State Policy Analysis!
9.09.2020
UnKoch My Campus has partnered with university alumni, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and others to demand that Tufts University cut ties with its Center for State Policy Analysis.
The Center for State Policy Analysis (CSPA), a new program housed by Tufts University, has Koch-linked funding which raises questions about the independence of the center’s policy analysis. Financially supported by a grant program of the Mercatus Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, this new Tufts program intends to review options for addressing rising prescription drug costs and to undertake an analysis of the Transportation and Climate Initiative, a proposed regional plan to tackle carbon emissions from vehicles.
VA Dems Pass Resolutions Package Including Donor Transparency in Higher Ed
6.25.2020
With a vote of 1,469-233, a resolutions package was passed last weekend at the Democratic Party of Virginia's 2020 virtual convention. Among the myriad of resolutions there is one specific to the work we do here at UnKoch My Campus: The Measure to End the Undue Influence of Charles Koch at George Mason University And Establish Appropriate Policies for Private Donations to Virginia’s Public Colleges and Universities.
UnKoch My Campus Launches #DitchDenialDollars Campaign Against YouTube and Climate Misinformation Videos
4.22.2020
This Earth Day, we’re turning YouTube green! On April 22nd, UnKoch My Campus will facilitate a digital sit-in urging the public to call on YouTube to stop promoting and monetizing climate misinformation videos.
A recent report by Avaaz found that YouTube is driving millions of people to watch climate misinformation videos. YouTube’s recommendation algorithm is giving these videos free promotion and showing misinformation to millions who wouldn’t have been exposed to it otherwise. Avaaz also found that YouTube is incentivizing this climate misinformation content via its monetization program. Every time an ad is shown on a YouTube video, the advertiser pays a fee, of which 55% goes to the video creator and the other 45% to YouTube. This Earth Day, we’re demanding that the video sharing platform #DitchDenialDollars!
VA Governor Signs Two Bills Promoting Donor Transparency On College Campuses
4.14.2020
[VIRGINIA] — Last week, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed two bills relating to transparency of donor agreements. HB 1529 makes universities retain copies of donor agreements from university foundations so that they can be accessible for public view under the Freedom of Information Act. HB 510 does not allow donor names to be anonymous when they have academic strings attached to their donation. These bills are wins for donor transparency on campus and their implementation will help protect public universities from “pay to play” dark money donations that come with harmful conditions that violate academic freedom.
Both bills were introduced in the House of Delegates by Delegate David Bulova. He represents House district 37, which includes George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus.
Saint Louis University Professor Renounces Endowed Chair in Economics in Protest of Donor Influence on Campus
4.9.2020
[ST. LOUIS, MO] — In a memo sent out to school administration SLU Professor of Economics, David Rapach, renounced his position as the John Simon Endowed Chair in Economics. In this striking act of protest after five years holding the position, Dr. Rapach cites the university’s acceptance of a financial donation from St. Louis billionaire Rex Sinquefield, which he says is “rife with violations of well-established academic norms,” as reason for his actions. Rapach also cites Sinquefield’s recent involvement in ethical breaches in local government involving a former St. Louis County Executive, who pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges.
In the memo, Dr. Rapach outlines his various grievances within his department, including colleagues who supported the establishment of the Sinquefield Center for Applied Economic Research (SCAER) at SLU. Multiple violations of academic freedom occurred due to the large Sinquefield donation, including SLU hiring Rex Sinquefield’s hand-picked ally to direct the SCAER as well as SLU granting the donors final approval for the disbursement of all research funds from the donation.