Keep Our Republic Charitable Fund is a nonprofit advocacy organization that acts as the educational and foundation arm of Keep Our Republic, a presidential election advocacy group founded in 2020 to conduct public outreach and attract media coverage to push back on arguments by then-President Donald Trump that the 2020 election was illegitimate.

The organization was founded by Mark Medish, a former Clinton White House advisor, and Joel McCleary, a former Carter administration official. Both have consulted for many years on domestic and international homeland security issues. The organization’s staff and advisory boards consist of former Democratic and Republican elected officials. Former U.S. Senator Tim Wirth (D-CO) is listed as the president of the Keep Our Republic Charitable Fund on tax documents. ^{1 2 3 4}

Background

Keep Our Republic and the Keep Our Republic Charitable Fund were founded in 2020 in order to push back against arguments made by then-President Donald Trump contesting the legitimacy of the 2020 election results and asserting accusations of voter fraud. Keep Our Republic is organized as a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization and broadcasts political ads, conducts polling, publishes research, and conducts grassroots lobbying. The Keep Our Republic Charitable Fund is the 501(c)(3) educational arm and houses the organization’s educational and research activities. ^{5 6}

People

Keep Our Republic and the Keep our Republic Charitable Fund were founded by Mark Medish, a former Clinton White House advisor on international affairs issues, and Joel McCleary, a former Carter administration official who has consulted for other presidents and prime ministers regarding defense and homeland security strategy and worked on studies regarding presidential emergency powers. ^{7 8}

Members of the Keep Our Republic Charitable Fund board include former Senator Tim Wirth (D-CO) and former House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO). ⁹

1. “Who We Are.” Keep Our Republic. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://keepourrepublic.com/who-we-are/
2. “Mark Medish.” LinkedIn Profile. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-medish-a9332b56/
3. “Our Mission.” Keep Our Republic. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://keepourrepublic.com/our-mission/
4. “IRS Form 990,” Keep Our Republic Charitable Fund. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/861221166/202201399349300020/full
5. “Home.” Keep Our Republic. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://keepourrepublic.com/
6. “Our Mission.” Keep Our Republic. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://keepourrepublic.com/our-mission/
7. “Joel McCleary.” Just Security. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://www.justsecurity.org/author/mcclearyjoel/
8. “Mark Medish.” LinkedIn Profile. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-medish-a9332b56/
9. “IRS Form 990,” Keep Our Republic Charitable Fund. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/861221166/202201399349300020/full