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Non-profit

Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy

Website:

www.raineycenter.org/
Location:

Washington, DC
Tax ID:

82-4929758
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2019):

Revenue: $705,648
Expenses: $768,661
Assets: $48,191
Formation:

2018
Type:

Think tank
Director:

Sarah Hunt

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The Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy is a think tank formed in 2018 in Washington, D.C. The organization is named after Reconstruction-era U.S. Rep. Joseph Hayne Rainey (R-SC), the first Black man to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. 1 The group has described itself as a “post-partisan” think tank, but its leadership has decades of experience in organizations ranging in affiliation from libertarian, Republican, to center-left. 2 3 The group also has received funding from left-of-center organizations. Notably, the center received a $275,000 grant from the environmentalist Energy Foundation in 2019. 4

The Rainey Center focuses on the issue areas of energy, healthcare, inclusive governance, national security, and innovation and tech. 5 The Rainey Center has expressed support for government involvement in the energy sector to promote “clean energy.” 6 Many members of the center’s leadership and staff come from organizations that have supported a carbon tax. 7

The Rainey Center also runs the Leadership Alliance for a More Perfect Union (LAMP). The stated goal of LAMP is to connect policymakers with a “diverse group of experts.” 8 LAMP hosts networking events in Washington, D.C. 9

History and Leadership

Sarah Hunt founded the Rainey Center with Bishop Garrison in 2018. Prior to 2018, Hunt worked as the director for the Center for Innovation and Technology for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Prior to that, Hunt worked as general counsel for the Niskanen Center, a nominally libertarian think tank that supports a carbon tax. 10 11 12 According to available tax documents, in 2019, Hunt was compensated $228,169 for her work as CEO of the Rainey Center. 13

Bishop Garrison previously worked in the Obama administration and then as a foreign policy adviser for the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton. Garrison also worked as an interim executive director for the Truman National Security Project, a left-leaning national security think tank. 14 In 2020, Garrison worked on the incoming Biden-Harris transition team, and in 2021, Garrison left the Rainey Center to work as a senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense in the Biden Administration. 15

The Board of Directors of the Rainey Center has decades of experience working in public policy. Their experience spans work in libertarian, conservative, and center-left groups. 16

Joseph Bishop-Henchman works as the vice president of Tax Policy and Litigation for the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, a right-of-center group that advocates for lower taxes and decreased economic regulation. 17 18 In 2020, Bishop-Henchman was elected chair of the Libertarian Party. 19

Sharon Jackson, vice-president of the Rainey Center, served as a Republican member of the Alaska State Legislature. 20 Jackson also previously worked for the National Federation of Independent Businesses and as a constituent liaison for U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK). 21

Chet Love has worked as counsel for multiple companies in the tech and financial sectors. 22 Love also served a member of the board of PACENation, an environmentalist energy trade group supported by the left-of-center New Venture Fund. 23 Love, along with Sarah Hunt and Charles Moran, was a founding partner of the consulting firm Cornerstone Group. 24

Catrina Rorke previously worked as the Director of Energy Policy for the R Street Institute. 25 Rorke also previously worked as a legislative assistant to environmentalist-aligned former Representative Bob Inglis (R-SC). 26 As of 2021, Rorke also serves as the vice president for the Climate Leadership Council, an organization that supports a carbon tax. 27 28

Political Activism

The Rainey Center has described itself as “post-partisan,” despite the partisan backgrounds of many of its staff and leadership. 29

The issues the Rainey Center focuses on are: energy, healthcare, inclusive governance, national security, and innovation and tech. 30 On energy, the Rainey Center has called for a “wide portfolio of energy resources.” 31 Sarah Hunt has written in opposition to the Green New Deal, and she has written favorably of nuclear energy, carbon capture technologies, as well as wind and solar power. 32 She has also written favorably of tax incentives for private “clean energy” investment, government-supported research into new energy sources, and transparency in environmental regulations. 33

On inclusive governance, the center runs the Leadership Alliance for a More Perfect Union (LAMP). The stated goal of Lamp is to connect policymakers with a “diverse group of experts.” 34 LAMP hosts networking events in Washington, D.C. LAMP also hosted a virtual event with Ajit Pai, who served as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission under President Donald Trump. 35  In 2020, Mia Heck became the manager for LAMP as well as a fellow for healthcare policy at the Rainey Center. 36 Heck previously worked for the Department of Health and Human Services during the Trump Administration, and prior to that she worked as the Health and Human Services Task Force Director for ALEC. 37

Shortly after the 2020 election, the Rainey Center published a paper expressing support for the idea of a new Federal Elections Agency, despite concerns about the unconstitutionality of such an agency. 38

The Rainey Center has also called on the U.S. military to make efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in its ranks part of its new U.S. national security strategy. 39

In June of 2021, Jeremy Hurewitz, a national security policy adviser for the Rainey Center, called for the U.S. to demand transparency from China regarding the potential origins of COVID-19. 40

On tech issues, the Rainey Center has published reports in favor of data privacy. 41 The Rainey Center has also published reports critical of China’s policy of “internet sovereignty.” 42

In 2019, the Rainey Center received a $20,000 from Arnold Ventures, a for-profit philanthropy that has funded many center-left organizations as well as ALEC, the Niskanen Center, and the Climate Leadership Council. 43 44 The Rainey Center also received a $275,000 grant from the Energy Foundation, a left-of-center “pass through” charitable group. 45 46

References

  1. “Rep. Joseph Rainey.” Rainey Center. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/aboutus#aboutjoseph
  2. “Joseph Rainey Center For Public Policy Incorporated.” Benevity Causes Portal. Accessed June 21, 2021.  https://causes.benevity.org/causes/840-824929758
  3. “Board of Directors.” Rainey Center. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/our-people
  4. The Energy Foundation Form 990. 2019. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943126848/202033179349304113/full
  5. “Our Work.” Rainey Center. https://www.raineycenter.org/our-work
  6. Hunt, Sarah. The Emerging Republican Climate Policy Framework. June 8, 2021. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/post/the-emerging-republican-climate-policy-framework
  7. Miller, Johnathan. “A place for the GOP to mull life after Trump.” Roll Call. May 1, 2019. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.rollcall.com/2019/05/01/a-place-for-the-gop-to-mull-life-after-trump/
  8. “About.” LAMP. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://ourlamp.org
  9. “Events.” LAMP. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://ourlamp.org/events/
  10. “Sarah E. Hunt.” Rainey Center. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/leadership/sarah-hunt
  11. “Sarah E. Hunt.” LinkedIn.Com Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahelisabethhunt/
  12. Miller, Johnathan. “A place for the GOP to mull life after Trump.” Roll Call. May 1, 2019. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.rollcall.com/2019/05/01/a-place-for-the-gop-to-mull-life-after-trump/
  13. Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy Form 990. 2019. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/824929758/d51dedfd14989df11ba161d5f5881e65
  14. Kessler, E. J. “Putting National Security on the Democratic Agenda.” Forward. June 3, 2005. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://forward.com/news/israel/3589/putting-national-security-on-the-democratic-agenda/.
  15. “Bishop Garrison.” LinkedIn.com. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bishopgarrison/
  16. “Board of Directors.” Rainey Center. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/our-people
  17. “Joseph Bishop Henchman.” Rainey Center. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/leadership/joseph-bishop-henchman
  18. “Joseph Bishop Henchman.” National Taxpayers Union Foundation.” Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.ntu.org/foundation/about/staff/joe-bishop-henchman.
  19. “Joseph Bishop Henchman.” Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.lp.org/leaders-staff/joe-bishop-henchman/
  20. “Representative Sharon Jackson.” The Alaska State Legislature. Accessed June 21, 2021. http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Member/Detail/31?code=jak.
  21. “Sharon Jackson.” Rainey Center. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/leadership/sharon-jackson.
  22. “Chet Love.” LinkedIn.com. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetlove/
  23. “What is PACE Financing?” PACENation. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.pacenation.org/what-is-pace/
  24. “About.” Cornerstone Group. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.cornerstoneconservative.com/about.php
  25. “Catrina Rorke.” Raney Center. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/leadership/catrina-rorke
  26. “Catrina Rorke.” LinkedIn.com. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/catrina-rorke/
  27. “Catrina Rorke.” Climate Leadership Council. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://clcouncil.org/staff/catrina-rorke/.
  28. Mooney, Chris. “Senior Republican statesmen propose replacing Obama’s climate policies with a carbon tax.” The Washington Post. Febuary 8, 2017. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/02/07/senior-republican-leaders-propose-replacing-obamas-climate-plans-with-a-carbon-tax/
  29. “Joseph Rainey Center For Public Policy Incorporated.” Benevity Causes Portal. Accessed June 21, 2021.  https://causes.benevity.org/causes/840-824929758
  30. “Our Work.” Rainey Center. https://www.raineycenter.org/our-work
  31. “Lessons from the Texas Energy Crisis.” Rainey Center. Febuary 2021. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://assets.website-files.com/60642c8a72f91d21219d4500/6088ea8c3b8ef92236008bdf_RaineyCenter_TexasERCOTCrisis_IssueBrief_11x8.5_r3.pdf
  32. Hunt, Sarah. “On Earth Day, Climate Change Isn’t the Problem.” Rainey Center. Accessed June 21, 2021.  https://www.raineycenter.org/post/on-earth-day-climate-change-isnt-the-problem
  33. Hunt, Sarah. The Emerging Republican Climate Policy Framework. June 8, 2021. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/post/the-emerging-republican-climate-policy-framework
  34. “About.” LAMP. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://ourlamp.org
  35. “Events.” LAMP. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://ourlamp.org/events/
  36. Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy Announces Mia Heck as Vice President for External Affairs and Fellow for Healthcare Policy.” Rainey Center. March 4, 2020. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/post/joseph-rainey-center-for-public-policy-announces-mia-heck-as-vice-president-for-external-affairs-and-fellow-for-healthcare-policy
  37. “Mia Heck.” LinkedIn.com. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/miaheck/
  38. Ward, Stafford. “The Case for a New Federal Elections Governance Agency.” Rainey Center. November 2020. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://assets.website-files.com/6072096d69322257bcddeb3c/6088d430dea3ee992d0d3e04_RaineyCenter-FederalElectionsGovernanceAgency-WhitePaper-8.5×11-r4-digital.pdf
  39. Goertner, Frank and Marguerite Rivard Benson. “How the Next U.S. National Security Strategy Should Include Diversity.” Rainey Center. October 2020. Accessed June 21, 2021.  https://assets.website-files.com/6072096d69322257bcddeb3c/6088d4003bb46b0cc5415020_NationalSecurityStrategyMustIncludeDiversity-WhitePaper-8.5×11-r3-digital.pdf
  40. Hurewitz, Jeremy. “Policy Advisor Jeremy Hurewitz on Holding China Accountable for COVID-19 Origins.” Rainey Center. June 2, 2021. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.raineycenter.org/post/policy-advisor-jeremy-hurewitz-on-holding-china-accountable-for-covid-19-origins
  41. Velch, Veronika and Sarah Hunt. “The Future of Data Privacy?” Rainey Center. April 19, 2019. Accessed Jun 19, 2021. https://assets.website-files.com/6072096d69322257bcddeb3c/6088d857632ddb7b04ff5849_TheFutureofDataPrivacy.pdf
  42. Hauenschild, Jonathon. “Exporting Censorship and Internet Sovereignty.” January 2021. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://assets.website-files.com/6072096d69322257bcddeb3c/6088d460edbd1d415f62a730_RaineyCenter_ExportingCensorshipAndInternetSovereignty_WhitePaper_8.5x11_r1-2.pdf
  43. Schambra, William. “Laura Arnold adds to institutional philanthropy’s promotion of progressivism.” Philanthropy Daily. Febuary 3, 2020. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.philanthropydaily.com/laura-arnold-adds-to-institutional-philanthropys-promotion-of-progressivism/
  44. “Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy, Inc.” Arnold Ventures. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.arnoldventures.org/grants/joseph-rainey-center-for-public-policy-inc/
  45. “Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy.” Cause IQ. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/joseph-rainey-center-for-public-policy-incorporate,824929758/funding
  46. The Energy Foundation Form 990. 2019. Accessed June 21, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943126848/202033179349304113/full
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: October 1, 2018

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2019 Dec Form 990 $705,648 $768,661 $48,191 $27,929 N $705,648 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $252,687 $169,412 $83,275 $0 N $252,687 $0 $0 $0 PDF

    Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy

    80 M STREET SE
    Washington, DC 20003-3544