Hunt Alternatives is an advocacy group founded by Swanee Hunt, a philanthropist and the former US Ambassador to Austria during the Clinton Administration. ¹ According to its tax filings, the group claims to promote “global peace, equity, justice, and civil rights.” ²

Hunt Alternatives is largely funded by Swanee Hunt and the Swanee Hunt Family Foundation.³ It has previously received funding from other left-of-center organizations and foundations including George Soros’s Open Society Foundations (Open Society Institute), the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Ford Foundation. ^{4 5 6}

Background

Hunt Alternatives is an advocacy group founded by Swanee Hunt, a philanthropist and the former US Ambassador to Austria during the Clinton Administration. ¹ According to its tax filings, the group claims to promote “global peace, equity, justice, and civil rights.” ²

As of 2026, the organization’s website lists four major programs: “Demand Abolition,” which seeks to combat sex trafficking in the United States; “Inclusive Security,” which aims for increasing the number of women in leadership positions; “Prime Movers,” which aims to support leaders “of diverse American social movements;” and “Seismic Shift,” which aims to increase collaboration between female elected officials. ⁷

Financials

In 2024, Hunt Alternatives reported total revenues of $1,480,930, total expenses of $921,169, and net assets of $1,016,754. ⁸

Funding

Hunt Alternatives’ tax filings reveal that it has consistently received significant funding from Swanee Hunt and the Swanee Hunt Family Foundation. From 2020 through 2024, it received a total of $7,313,432 from the Swanee Hunt Family Foundation and $513,374 from Swanee Hunt, which accounted for nearly all of its grant revenue in those years.³

It has previously received funding from left-of-center organizations and foundations including George Soros’s Open Society Foundations (Open Society Institute), the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Ford Foundation. ^{4 5 6}

Leadership

Swanee Hunt is the founder and board chair of Hunt Alternatives as of 2026. Hunt is also a philanthropist and the former US Ambassador to Austria during the Clinton Administration. ¹ Other board members included Theo Ansbacher-Hunt, Peter Canellos, David Flink, Ray Hammond, Marva Hammons, Fern Portnoy, Lillian Shuff, Rodney Shuff, and William M. Snyder. ⁹

1. “Ambassador Swanee Hunt.” Inclusive Security. Accessed January 8, 2026. https://www.inclusivesecurity.org/about-us/who-we-are/ambassador-swanee-hunt/
2. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Hunt Alternatives. 2024. Part VIII-A – Summary of Direct Charitable Activities. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43397500/202513169349101016/full
3. Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). Hunt Alternatives. Schedule B. 2020-2024.
4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF). Open Society Institute. 2010. Part XV, line 3 – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/137029285/2011_11_PF%2F13-7029285_990PF_201012.
5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 2013. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237093598/201423149349100222/full
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF). Ford Foundation. 2015. Part XV, line 3 – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131684331/201613139349100776/full
7. “Foundation.” SwaneeHunt.org. Accessed January 12, 2026. https://www.swaneehunt.org/foundation/.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Hunt Alternatives. 2024. Part I, lines 12 and 26; Part II, line 29. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43397500/202513169349101016/full
9. “Leadership.” Swanee Hunt. Accessed January 12, 2026. https://www.swaneehunt.org/foundation/leadership/.