The Centennial Institute is a right-of-center think tank and sub-unit of the Colorado Christian University. The organization’s research and advocacy are centered on religious freedom and social issue policy questions. ¹

Finances

In 2018 the Colorado Christian University received $9,594,786 in contributions,² $106,112,765 in program service revenue,³ and $123,525,462 in total revenue. ⁴ The same year, the organization possessed $128,051,034 in net assets after accounting for all liabilities. ⁵ In 2018 the organization had $109,512,636 in expenses after accounting for grants, salaries, and benefits. ⁶

According to CCU’s tax returns, it spent $2,411,519 to run the Centennial Institute in 2018. ⁷

Policies

Abortion

The Centennial Institute opposes the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion. ⁸ The organization has supported the Mexico City Policy, which prevents the use of United States foreign aid for abortion. ⁹ In 2021, the organization was critical of the Biden administration for ending the policy,¹⁰ and cited a Marist poll indicates that 77% of Americans either “oppose” or “strongly oppose” using tax dollars to support international abortion. ¹¹

Colorado Legislative Agenda

The Centennial Institute produces whitepapers with legislative suggestions to the Colorado General Assembly. The 2021 proposed Colorado Legislative Agenda included reforms to improve voter integrity in the state such as confronting ballot harvesting, requiring state-issued identification to vote, and improving election software and hardware transparency. ¹²

The Centennial Institute recommends that the Colorado General Assembly pass the Live and Let Live Act, which would prevent the state of Colorado from shutting down religious businesses such as cake shops, and charities such as adoption agencies, from closing for refusing to consider requests from same-sex couples. ¹³

The Centennial Institute recommends that the Colorado General Assembly pass legislation that would prevent the government from deciding which businesses are essential and which are not, pledge to not increase taxes, and reduce regulations on Colorado’s oil and gas industry to stimulate economic recovery. ¹⁴

Leadership

Jeff Hunt is the director of the Centennial Institute and vice president of public policy at Colorado Christian University. ¹⁵ Before joining the organization, Hunt was a media coordinator for the Senate Republican Conference and director of Colorado coalitions for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. ¹⁶

Donald Sweeting is the chairman of the Centennial Institute and president of Colorado Christian University. ¹⁷ Prior to joining the organization, Sweeting was president of the Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, from 2010-2016. ¹⁸

1. “Programs” Centennial Institute. https://centennial.ccu.edu/programs/
2. Colorado Christian University, “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed February 7, 2021. Part 1. Line 8.
3. Colorado Christian University, “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed February 7, 2021. Part 1. Line 9.
4. Colorado Christian University, “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed February 7, 2021. Part 1 Line 12.
5. Colorado Christian University, “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed February 7, 2021. Part I. Line 22.
6. Colorado Christian University, “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed February 7, 2021. Part I. Line 18.
7. Colorado Christian University, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2017, Part IX Line 24b https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/840442429/201833389349300933/IRS990
8. “Centennial Institute: Biden admin launches war on the unborn” Centennial Institute. https://centennial.ccu.edu/centennial-institute-biden-admin-launches-war-on-the-unborn/
9. “Centennial Institute: Biden admin launches war on the unborn” Centennial Institute. https://centennial.ccu.edu/centennial-institute-biden-admin-launches-war-on-the-unborn/
10. Lucey, Katherine & Peterson, Kristina. “Biden Targets Abortion Restrictions as Fight Looms in Congress, The Wall Street Journal” January 28, 2021. Accessed February 7, 2021. https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-reverse-abortion-rule-known-as-mexico-city-policy-11611835467
11. “Centennial Institute: Biden admin launches war on the unborn” Centennial Institute. https://centennial.ccu.edu/centennial-institute-biden-admin-launches-war-on-the-unborn/
12. “State of Colorado 2021 Proposed Legislative Agenda” Centennial Institute. https://2sai80zhft74386rl1kqxhyw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_Legislative-Agenda.pdf
13. “State of Colorado 2021 Proposed Legislative Agenda” Centennial Institute. https://2sai80zhft74386rl1kqxhyw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_Legislative-Agenda.pdf
14. “State of Colorado 2021 Proposed Legislative Agenda” Centennial Institute. https://2sai80zhft74386rl1kqxhyw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_Legislative-Agenda.pdf
15. “Jeff Hunt” Centennial Institute. https://centennial.ccu.edu/staff-and-fellows/jeff-hunt/
16. “Jeff Hunt” Centennial Institute. https://centennial.ccu.edu/staff-and-fellows/jeff-hunt/
17. “Donald Sweeting” Centennial Institute. https://centennial.ccu.edu/staff-and-fellows/donald-sweeting/
18. “Donald Sweeting” Centennial Institute. https://centennial.ccu.edu/staff-and-fellows/donald-sweeting/