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Non-profit

Lear Family Foundation

Location:

BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Tax ID:

95-4661216
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)-PF

Budget (2014):

Revenue: $997,796
Expenses: $3,265,232
Assets: $13,934,418

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The Lear Family Foundation was founded by Lyn and Norman Lear in 1997. 1 Norman Lear is known for writing and producing many 1970’s sitcoms including “All in the Family,” “Sanford and Son,” and “The Jeffersons”; Lear is also a left-of-center activist and donor. 2

The Lear Family Foundation has made large financial commitments to both People for the American Way and Environmental Media Association, both of which Norman Lear helped to found. 3 The Lear Family Foundation has given millions to left-wing media organizations, environmentalist groups, and liberal grantmaking foundations. 4

People for the American Way Foundation

People for the American Way Foundation, the 501(c)(3) arm of Norman Lear’s liberal activist group People for the American Way (PFAW),  has received more money from the Lear Family Foundation than any other organization. Between 2001 and 2017, the Lear Family Foundation gave over $7.9 million to PFAW. 5

Norman Lear founded PFAW along with former U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan (D-TX) to oppose the rise of evangelical Christian conservatives and leaders such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. 6 Today, PFAW seeks to oppose Republican policies and elect liberal Democrats. 7 In 2017, PFAW helped elect Governor Ralph Northam (D-VA), Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D-VA), and U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL). PFAW has opposed President Donald Trump’s nominees to the courts including Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. 8

Liberal Media Groups

Between 2008 and 2017, the foundation gave nearly $800,000 to the Sundance Institute, which provides funding to independent filmmakers. Left-wing groups that gave over $1,000,000 to the Sundance Institute in 2018 include the Annenberg Foundation, Ford Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Open Society Foundation, and Skoll Foundation. 9 The institute suggested pro-abortion films such as Trapped, After Tiller, and Obvious Child as ways to “get informed” about abortion policies. 10

In 2017, the Lear Family Foundation gave $50,000 to Women Make Movies, a feminist media group. Women Make Movies has supported films that call U.S. military bases in Japan an “occupation,”11 oppose deportation of illegal immigrants,12 and promote an abortion helpline. 13

Between 2005 and 2008, the Lear Family Foundation gave $55,000 to Media Matters for America (MMfA). 14 Other liberal media groups that have received funding include Mother Jones, Real News Project, Women’s Image Network, ProPublica, TYPE Media Center, and Women’s Media Center. 15

Environmentalist Groups

The Lear Family Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the Rainforest Alliance. Between 2001 and 2017, the foundation has given $344,500 to the Rainforest Alliance. The Rainforest Alliance opposed Trump administration decisions to pull out of the Paris climate agreement 16 and roll back Obama-era vehicle emission regulations. 17

The Environmental Media Association (EMA) is one of the Lear Family Foundation’s most heavily funded organizations, receiving $520,000 between 2001 and 2015. 18 Norman Lear helped found EMA in 1989 with the goal of using TV and film to push environmentalist views. 19 Left-of-center groups with a role on EMA’s advisory board include Beyond Nuclear, Rocky Mountain Institute, Wilderness Society, Environmental Defense Fund, and Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. 20 EMA has given awards to liberal figures including controversial actress Jane Fonda, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left-wing activist Shailene Woodley, CNN liberal commentator Van Jones, and industrialist Elon Musk for their environmental activism. 21

Between 2013 and 2017, the Climate Reality Project received $65,000 from the Lear Family Foundation. 22 Former Vice President Al Gore founded the Climate Reality Project to advocate for a large government backed response to global warming. 23 The Climate Reality Project is a supporter of the Paris Climate Accord,24 cap-and-trade,25 and ban on hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas. 26

Between 2003 and 2017, the Lear Family Foundation gave $117,000 to Conservation International. 27 Conservation International has opposed Trump administration decisions to not attend the G7 meeting on climate,28 reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument,29 and remove the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement. 30

The Lear Family Foundation has supported the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) since at least 2002. Between 2002 and 2017, the foundation gave $147,500 to the NRDC. 31 NRDC is one of the country’s largest environmentalist organizations and has used “baseless scare campaigns”32 and lawsuits to advance its agenda. 33

Global Green USA received $200,000 from the Lear Family Foundation between 2004 and 2017. 34 Global Green USA is an affiliate of Green Cross International, which was founded by former Soviet Communist dictator Mikhail Gorbachev. 35 Left-of-center partners of Global Green USA include NRDC, JPB Foundation, and Marisla Foundation. 36 Global Green USA opposed removing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Deal,37 building the Keystone XL pipeline,38 and hydraulic fracturing. 39

According to the website Discover the Networks the Lear Family Foundation has also given grants to Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD); the National Rainbow PUSH Coalition; the Rainforest Foundation; the Union of Concerned Scientists. 40

Other environmentalist groups that the Lear Family Foundation gave to include Ceres, Carbon Underground, Sustainable Markets Foundation, Waterkeeper Alliance, 350.org, and Grist. 41

Support for Left-Wing Funders

Between 2003 and 2017, the Lear Family Foundation gave over $175,000 to the Tides Foundation and $145,000 to the Tides Center. 42 The Tides Foundation is a left-wing donor advised fund that has funneled hundreds of millions to liberal causes. Left-wing groups that have received funding from the Tides Foundation include CODEPINK, Greenpeace, NEO Philanthropy, Earthjustice, and Planned Parenthood. 43 The Tides Center is a subsidiary of the Tides Foundation that is used to provide a “legal firewall” for the foundation 44 and operates as an umbrella group giving 501(c)(3) status to projects. 45 Groups that originated as Tides Center projects include PFAW,46 NRDC, and Environmental Media Services. 47

Between 2003 and 2017, the Lear Family Foundation gave $41,500 to the Liberty Hill Foundation, a Los Angeles-based grant making foundation. The Liberty Hill Foundation has opposed oil drilling, backed rent control, and partnered with the Obama Foundation. 48 Left-of-center groups Liberty Hill has contributed to include ACCE Institute, American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Community Change, National Lawyers Guild Foundation, and Southern Poverty Law Center. 49                    

Other Left-Wing Groups

The Lear Family Foundation is a major supporter of the ACLU of Southern California. Between 2001 and 2017, the ACLU of Southern California received over $500,000 from the foundation. 50 In November 2019, the ACLU of Southern California gave Christine Blasey Ford the Roger Baldwin Courage Award for her Congressional testimony accusing Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her. 51 The ACLU of Southern California has endorsed left-wing policies including making California a sanctuary state,52 having public universities provided medication abortions,53 and abolishing co-pays for prisoners that received medical treatment. 54

Planned Parenthood and its affiliate Planned Parenthood Los Angeles received $106,000 in funding from the Lear Family Foundation between 2003 and 2017. 55 Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the United States. In FY 2017-2018 Planned Parenthood Los Angeles preformed 14,766 abortions or over 40 abortions per day. 56

The Lear Family Foundation has previously supported the Clinton Foundation, the organization founded and run by former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and their daughter Chelsea Clinton. 57 From 2005 to 2012, the Lear Family Foundation gave $125,000 to the Clinton Foundation.

The Courage Campaign Institute (CCI) received $20,000 from the Lear Family Foundation between 2010 and 2015. 58 CCI is the educational arm of the Courage Campaign. CCI has partnered with Ultraviolet and DailyKos to push for gun control59 and worked with Center for Biological Diversity to oppose Nestle’s water bottling operation in California. 60

CODEPINK Etina received a donation from the Lear Family Foundation in 2003 and 2006. CODEPINK is a far-left group that was founded in 2003 to oppose the Iraq War. Since then it has shown support for the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement,61 the Communist Castro regime in Cuba,62 and anti-American groups. 63

References

  1. “Philanthropy.” Norman Lear. Accessed November 20, 2019. http://www.normanlear.com/citizenship/philanthropy/.
  2. “Background.” Norman Lear. Accessed November 20, 2019. http://www.normanlear.com/backstory/
  3. “Philanthropy.” Norman Lear. Accessed November 20, 2019. http://www.normanlear.com/citizenship/philanthropy/.
  4. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  5. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  6. “People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation: A History.” Undated. Accessed November 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20040402065039/http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=2851 
  7. “2017 Annual Report.” People for the American Way, January 2018. http://files.pfaw.org/uploads/2018/09/PFAW_AR2017_rd4_singles.pdf.
  8. “2017 Annual Report.” People for the American Way, January 2018. http://files.pfaw.org/uploads/2018/09/PFAW_AR2017_rd4_singles.pdf.
  9. “Annual Report 2018 Fiscal Year.” Sundance Institute. Accessed November 22, 2019. https://www.sundance.org/pdf/about/2018_AnnualReport.pdf.
  10. Kurie, Peter. “6 Films to Watch as the Supreme Court Revisits Abortion.” Sundance Institute, March 21, 2016. https://www.sundance.org/blogs/6-sundance-films-to-watch-as-the-supreme-court-revisits-abortion.
  11. “Okinawa Documentary.” Women Make Movies. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.wmm.com/sponsored-project/okinawa-documentary/.
  12. “The Infiltrators Team: Fundraising & Screenings.” Women Make Movies. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.wmm.com/the-infiltrators-team-fundraising-screenings/.
  13. “Abortion Helpline: This Is Lisa.” Women Make Movies. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.wmm.com/sponsored-project/abortion-helplinethis-is-lisa/.
  14. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  15. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  16. Rainforest Alliance. Twitter Post. May 31, 2017. 3:00 PM. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://twitter.com/RnfrstAlliance/status/869992060383789057
  17. Rainforest Alliance. Twitter Post. May 1, 2018. 5:45 PM. Accessed December 1, 2019.  https://twitter.com/RnfrstAlliance/status/991433365487267841
  18. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  19. “Environmental Media Association (EMA).” Norman Lear. Accessed December 1, 2019. http://www.normanlear.com/citizenship/environmental-media-association-ema/.
  20. “Our Boards.” Environmental Media Association. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.green4ema.org/our-boards.
  21. “EMA Awards.” Environmental Media Association. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.green4ema.org/ema-awards.
  22. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  23. Guidestar: Alliance for Climate Protection profile. Accessed November 25, 2019. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/87-0745629 
  24. The Climate Reality Project: Our Mission. Accessed April 25, 2017 https://www.climaterealityproject.org/our-mission
  25. McMorris-Santoro, Evan and Cramer, Ruby. “Al Gore’s Incredible Shrinking Climate Change Footprint.” Buzzfeed. September 3, 2013. Accessed November 25, 2019. https://www.buzzfeed.com/evanmcsan/al-gores-incredible-shrinking-climate-change-footprint?utm_term=.elpwJm5vYD#.hmQJpnd5xR
  26. Climate Reality. Twitter Post. May 18, 2012. 5:55 PM. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://twitter.com/ClimateReality/status/203604633892028416
  27. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  28. Conservative Intl. Twitter. June 8, 2018. 1:44 PM. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://twitter.com/ConservationOrg/status/1005143551766917126
  29. Lynch, Morgan. “White House to Shrink Utah Monuments.” Conservation International, November 29, 2017. https://www.conservation.org/blog/white-house-to-shrink-utah-monuments.
  30. Conservation Intl. Twitter Post. June 1, 2018. 12:01 PM. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://twitter.com/ConservationOrg/status/1002581004094238720
  31. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  32. Big Green Radicals: Natural Resources Defense Council. Accessed November 26, 2019. https://www.biggreenradicals.com/group/natural-resources-defense-council/
  33. Staff. “EPA’s back-room ‘sue and settle’ deals require reform.” May 25, 2013. Washington Examiner. Accessed November 26, 2019. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/epas-back-room-sue-and-settle-deals-require-reform/article/2530505
  34. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  35. “About Us.” Global Green. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.globalgreen.org/who-we-are.
  36. “Strategic Partners.” Global Green. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.globalgreen.org/partners-page.
  37. McCabe, Les. “The Paris Agreement: It’s Up to Us Now – A Message From Our CEO.” Global Green. Global Green, June 1, 2017. https://www.globalgreen.org/blog/fortheplanet.
  38. Global Green. Twitter Post. November 17, 2011. 10:15 PM. Accessed December 1, 2011. https://twitter.com/globalgreen/status/137368213603360768
  39. Global Green. Twitter Post. November 17, 2011. 10:15 PM. Accessed December 1, 2011.  https://twitter.com/globalgreen/status/137368213603360768
  40. “Lear Family Foundation.” Discover The Networks. Undated. Accessed November 10, 2017. http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/funderprofile.asp?fndid=5317&category=79
  41. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  42. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  43. “Tides Foundation – Form 990 2016.” Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.tides.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2016-Tides-Foundation-Form-990.pdf
  44. “Tides Foundation and Tides Center.l” Discover the Networks. Accessed November 29, 2019. http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/funderProfile.asp?fndid=5184.
  45. Loudon, Trevor “The Tides Foundation and Center: Brokers of the Revolution. Capital Research Center. October 1, 2010. Accessed November 29, 2019. https://capitalresearch.org/article/the-tides-foundation-and-center-brokers-of-the-revolution/
  46. Loudon, Trevor “The Tides Foundation and Center: Brokers of the Revolution. Capital Research Center. October 1, 2010. Accessed November 29, 2019. https://capitalresearch.org/article/the-tides-foundation-and-center-brokers-of-the-revolution/
  47. Tides Foundation & Tides Center.” Activist Facts. Accessed November 29, 2019. https://www.activistfacts.com/organizations/225-tides-foundation-tides-center/.
  48. “Impact Report 2017 – 2019.” Liberty Hill Foundation. Accessed December 1, 2019. https://www.libertyhill.org/sites/libertyhillfoundation/files/Liberty%20Hill%20Impact%20Report.pdf
  49. “Liberty Hill Foundation – Form 990 2016.” https://www.libertyhill.org/sites/libertyhillfoundation/files/Liberty%20Hill%20-%202016%20Public%20Disclosure%20Copy.pdf
  50. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  51. “Christine Blasey Ford Makes Rare Appearance to Accept ACLU Award.” ACLU of Southern California, November 18, 2019. https://www.aclusocal.org/en/press-releases/christine-blasey-ford-makes-rare-appearance-accept-aclu-award.
  52. “California Values Act (SB 54).” ACLU of Southern California, July 11, 2019. https://www.aclusocal.org/en/know-your-rights/california-values-act-sb-54.
  53. “Governor Newsom Signs Groundbreaking Abortion Access Bill.” ACLU of Southern California, October 24, 2019. https://www.aclusocal.org/en/press-releases/governor-newsom-signs-groundbreaking-abortion-access-bill.
  54. “Eliminating Copays in Prison (AB 45).” ACLU of Southern California, October 11, 2019. https://www.aclusocal.org/en/legislation/eliminating-copays-prison-ab-45.
  55. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  56. “Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Annual Report 2017-18.” Accessed December 1, 2019. https://issuu.com/plannedparenthoodla/docs/ppla_annualreport_fy1718.
  57. Haberman, Maggie. “Foundation renamed for all 3 Clintons.” Politico. April 8, 2013. Accessed November 29, 2019. https://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/foundation-renamed-for-all-three-clintons-089759
  58. “Lear Family Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954661216.
  59. “Tell Visa: Stop Processing Assault Weapon Transactions.” Courage Campaign. Accessed November 29, 2019. http://act.couragecampaign.org/call/visaguns_calls/?source=org_fb_c_VisaGuns.
  60. “Press Release.” Ocean Plastics Pollution. Accessed November 29, 2019. https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2015/nestle-11-30-2015.html.
  61. “Israel Publishes ‘BDS Blacklist’ of 20 Groups Barred from Entering Country.” I24NEWS. Accessed November 30, 2019. https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/164594-180107-israel-publishes-bds-blacklist-of-20-groups-barred-from-entering-country
  62. “Cuba: April 29 – May 7, 2017.” CODEPINK. Accessed November 30, 2019. https://www.codepink.org/cuba_april_may_2017.
  63. Miller, Amy. “EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Hezbollah Flag Raised at Anti-AIPAC Protest.” Legal Insurrection. March 08, 2015. Accessed November 30, 2019. https://legalinsurrection.com/2015/03/exclusive-video-hezbollah-flag-raised-at-anti-aipac-protest/.

Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Norman Lear
    Founder, Main Funder

Donation Recipients

  1. AARP Foundation (Non-profit)
  2. ACLU Foundation of Southern California (Non-profit)
  3. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) (Non-profit)
  4. Anti-Defamation League (ADL) (Non-profit)
  5. Ceres (Non-profit)
  6. Children’s Defense Fund (Non-profit)
  7. Communities for a Better Environment (Non-profit)
  8. Conservation International (Non-profit)
  9. Dolores Huerta Foundation (Non-profit)
  10. Environmental Media Association (EMA) (Non-profit)
  11. Equality Now (Non-profit)
  12. Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) (Non-profit)
  13. Global Green USA (Non-profit)
  14. GLSEN (Non-profit)
  15. Hispanic Federation (Non-profit)
  16. Human Rights Watch (Non-profit)
  17. Institute for America’s Future (Non-profit)
  18. J Street Education Fund (Non-profit)
  19. Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (Non-profit)
  20. Media Matters for America (Non-profit)
  21. Mi Familia Vota (Non-profit)
  22. NARAL Pro-Choice America (Non-profit)
  23. NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation (Non-profit)
  24. National Rainbow PUSH Coalition (Non-profit)
  25. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) (Non-profit)
  26. New America (New America Foundation) (Non-profit)
  27. New World Foundation (NWF) (Non-profit)
  28. Oceana (Non-profit)
  29. People for the American Way (PFAW) (Non-profit)
  30. People for the American Way (PFAW) Foundation (Non-profit)
  31. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) (Non-profit)
  32. Rainforest Foundation (Non-profit)
  33. Rock the Vote (Non-profit)
  34. Rock the Vote Action (Non-profit)
  35. Sandy Hook Promise Foundation (Non-profit)
  36. Sundance Institute (Non-profit)
  37. The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) (Non-profit)
  38. TYPE Media Center (Non-profit)
  39. Tides Center (Non-profit)
  40. Tides Foundation (Non-profit)
  41. Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) (Non-profit)
  42. Voter Participation Center (VPC) (Non-profit)
  43. Working America Education Fund (Non-profit)
  44. Youth Represent (Non-profit)
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: April 1, 1998

    • 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
    2014 Dec Form PF $997,796 $3,265,232 $13,934,418 $18,653 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2013 Dec Form PF $1,061,221 $2,863,392 $16,770,123 $111,036 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2012 Dec Form PF $910,665 $3,327,456 $17,003,983 $42,557 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2011 Dec Form PF $12,077,961 $11,437,311 $18,311,060 $13,746 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Lear Family Foundation

    100 N CRESCENT DR STE 120
    BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210-5427