Ground Game Texas is a left-of-center advocacy group based in Manchaca, Texas, a town outside of Austin. ¹ Ground Game Texas has a sister organization, Ground Game Fund, which it describes as a “charitable organization” on its 2022 tax return. ²

Activities

Ground Game Texas mobilizes left-leaning Texas voters through “year-round direct voter contact.” ³ The group further claims that its goals include advancing social justice policies, building local campaigns on ”progressive issues,” and “strengthening our democracy.” ⁴

Campaigns

In 2024, Ground Game Texas is involved with campaigns supporting McAllen, Texas charter amendments. The first, Proposition A, calls for limiting candidate donations for the city mayor and commissioner races to $500, while calling for a reduction in the “influence of wealthy corporate donors.” ⁵ The second, Proposition B, would grant citizens increased powers of petition campaigning to overrule City Commission decisions as well as recalling elected officials. ⁵

In addition, the group is advocating for supporters to vote in favor of Dallas County Proposition R, a charter amendment that would amend the Dallas City Charter to decriminalize marijuana and end enforcement of low-level enforcement of marijuana possession. ⁶

Financials

In 2022, Ground Game Texas reported a total revenue of $1,854,809, total expenses of $2,049,861, and net assets of $1,006,976. ⁷

In 2022, Ground Game Texas reportedly gave Ground Game Fund $417,059 in cash and $500,453 for “timetracking.” ⁸

According to its website, Ground Game Texas processes donations through a form received and processed by ActBlue Civics, Inc., the advocacy-group arm of ActBlue. ³

Grantmaking

In 2022, Ground Game Texas provided grants to three organizations: Block Power ($200,000), the Caldwell Hays Examiner ($6,800), and Defending Democracy Together ($575,000). ⁹

1. “Ground Game Texas.” Ground Game Texas. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://www.groundgametexas.org/.
2. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Ground Game Texas. 2022. Schedule R, Part II – Identification of Related Tax-Exempt Organizations.
3. “Ground Game Texas – Donate via ActBlue.” ActBlue.com. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ggtx-home?refcode=footer-btn-btn.
4. “Home.” Ground Game Texas, Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.groundgametexas.org/
5. “McAllen.” Ground Game Texas. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://www.groundgametexas.org/mcallen.
6. “Dallas Freedom Act.” Ground Game Texas. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://www.groundgametexas.org/dallas.
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Ground Game Texas. 2022. Part I, lines 12, 18, 22.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Ground Game Texas. 2022. Schedule R, Part V – Transactions with Related Organizations.
9. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Ground Game Texas. 2022. Schedule I, Part II – Grants and Other assistance to Domestic Organizations and Domestic Governments.