Database Reveals Over $130 Million in Foreign Money Supporting U.S. Climate NGOs

Americans for Public Trust released a searchable database that tracks foreign contributions to American climate-focused nonprofits, documenting at least $130 million flowing from overseas foundations into 523 organizations. The records, drawn from annual reports of donors in Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, exclude traditional charities to concentrate on advocacy groups. Notable recipients include the Sierra Club, which has taken money from the Berger Action Fund, Wyss Foundation and Oak Foundation; the League of Conservation Voters, which received sizable sums from the same sources; the Natural Resources Defense Council; Environment America; and Energy Foundation China, which obtained $85 million from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and additional grants from the Oak and Quadrature Climate Foundations.

The database argues that current law permits such foreign money to flow to tax-exempt entities, a gap that the organization urges Congress to close. Responses from the listed groups were not obtained, and the release has drawn praise from conservative groups warning of foreign influence on U.S. energy policy.