Also see Steyer Network
NextGen America was founded in 2013 as NextGen Climate. The organization changed its name in 2017 to better reflect that it was not only concerned about environmental issues, but also would be a leader in opposing President Donald Trump. 1
NextGen founder Tom Steyer is a left-wing billionaire activist who spent $123 million during 2018 in campaigns promoting Democratic candidates and advocating for impeaching president Donald Trump. 2 NextGen America focuses on supporting government action to combat global warming and helping elect Democrats.
NextGen Climate Action is the 501(c)(4) arm of NextGen America. NextGen Climate Committee is the network’s super PAC.
Political Activism
2016 Election
NextGen teamed up with SEIU International and Planned Parenthood Votes to turn out Democratic voters in the battleground state of New Hampshire during 2016. 3 On a conference call, Steyer said the goal was to defeat Donald Trump and Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). The $2,000,000 get out the vote effort focused on liberal issues such as a $15 minimum wage, promoting labor unions, global warming, and pro-abortion policies. 4
NextGen partnered with Hollywood liberal actors to produce ads pushing millennials to get out and vote for candidates promising to fight global warming as part of the #WhyWeVote campaign. 5 One ad featured actress Natalie Portman, a longtime Democrat that campaigned for John Kerry, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton during their presidential campaigns. 6 NextGen spent hundreds of thousands on promoting the ad. Another ad featured Aziz Ansari attacking Donald Trump because “he hates brown people” and for not believing in global warming. 7 Julia Louis-Dreyfus also worked with NextGen and made a video where she endorsed Hillary Clinton for president and Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Katie McGinty (D-PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Deborah Ross (D-NC). 8
2018 Election
During the 2018 election, NextGen founded Black Lives Rising which spent over $1,000,000 to turn out young Black Democrats. 9 Black Lives Rising partnered with left-of-center groups Color Of Change PAC, PushBlack, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. 10 The program focused on turning out liberal voters in competitive races in North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
NextGen spent $5.2 million to elect Democrats during the 2018 election in Florida. 11 The organization was an early backer of Andrew Gillum during the Democratic gubernatorial primary, who was seen as a rising left-wing star in the party. NextGen organizers made over 75,000 phone calls and sent 300,000 texts on behalf of Gillum in the closely contested primary. 12
NextGen attacked Reps. Mimi Walters (R-CA) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) for supporting offshore drilling. NextGen took out a half page ad in the Orange County Register, bought billboards on a busy freeways in the area, and organized a protest against Walters and Rohrabacher. 13
NextGen opposed John Morganelli (D-PA) in Pennsylvania 7th U.S. House District Democratic primary. 14 Morganelli was a pro-life Democrat and had taken some conservative stances on illegal immigration. These stances motivated NextGen to spend about $100,000 to defeat Morganelli. 15
Environmentalist Policies
NextGen’s opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline dates back to shortly after the group’s founding when it spent $1,000,000 on TV ads opposing the pipeline. 16 In 2015, Steyer berated Senators for voting to build the pipeline even as nine Democrats voted in favor of it. 17 18 When the Obama administration rejected the pipeline later in 2015, NextGen released a digital ad celebrating the pipeline’s defeat and called for a focus on renewable energy. 19
NextGen has advocated for divesting from coal. 20 Steyer also issued a statement supporting the Obama administration’s proposed changes to the federal coal leasing program which increased costs to businesses. 21
Illegal Immigration
In 2018, NextGen provided $1 million to the Immigrant Legal Services Center to help illegal immigrants with legal representation in their bids to stay in the United States. 22 In 2017, NextGen spent $2,300,000 on supporting legal services for illegal immigrants, with its partners representing over 800 clients. 23 NextGen supports a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. 24
Funding
Financial Overview
A financial overview of NextGen Climate America is available below: 25
| NextGen Climate America Financial Overview | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Total Revenues | Total Expenditures | Grants Paid | Net Assets |
| 2018 | $4,835,134 | $3,907,892 | $1,490,458 | $1,535,210 |
| 2017 | $3,496,121 | $4,229,607 | $1,553,500 | $607,968 |
| 2016 | $3,770,013 | $3,668,549 | $1,679,358 | $456,032 |
| 2015 | $3,770,013 | $3,668,549 | $1,679,358 | $456,032 |
| 2014 | $2,877,650 | $2,523,142 | $1,378,000 | $354,568 |
| 2013 | $100 | $40 | $0 | $60 |
| Total: | $18,749,031 | $17,997,779 | $7,780,674 | |
Grants from NextGen America
The following are all known grants from NextGen America between 2014 and 2018: 26
| Grant Recipient | Year | Amount | Grant Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate Action Reserve | 2018 | $10,000 | General support |
| The Partnership Project | 2018 | $150,000 | General support |
| The UC Davis Foundation | 2018 | $133,500 | UC immigrant legal services center |
| World Wildlife Fund | 2018 | $25,000 | General support |
| Texas Organizing Project Education Fund | 2018 | $75,000 | Hurricane relief |
| United Nations Foundation | 2018 | $1,000,000 | Global action climate summit |
| New Venture Fund | 2018 | $25,000 | General support |
| UNLV Foundation | 2018 | $40,000 | General support |
| Climate Action Reserve | 2017 | $20,000 | Event - conference |
| Greenfaith | 2017 | $100,000 | People's climate movement for general support |
| Sigma XI, The Scientific Research Honor Society | 2017 | $7,500 | Event - march |
| Social and Environmental Entreprenuers | 2017 | $25,000 | March for science Los Angeles on 4/22/17 |
| Social Good | 2017 | $7,500 | Sacramento march for science on 4/22/17 |
| The Climate Group | 2017 | $15,000 | Climate week |
| The Opportunity Institute | 2017 | $1,000,000 | General support |
| The Partnership Project | 2017 | $150,000 | General support - activities regarding climate action campaign for 2017 |
| UC Davis Foundation | 2017 | $71,500 | UC immigrant legal services center |
| Tides Foundation | 2017 | $30,000 | Take back the ball fund general support of activities |
| UC Regents (DBA UCSB) | 2017 | $10,000 | General support |
| World Wildlife Fund | 2017 | $100,000 | US climate action pavilion at cop23 |
| 350.org | 2016 | $25,000 | Pathway to Paris Concert & Fundraiser; remaining funds to general support |
| Alliance for Climate Education | 2016 | $15,000 | General support - Get Loud Campaign |
| Bay Area Council Foundation | 2016 | $170,000 | 2016 Clean Energy Ministerial |
| Citizen Engagement Lab Education Fund | 2016 | $10,000 | General support - Climate Parents/Get Loud Campaign |
| Foundation for California Community College | 2016 | $775,980 | Non-partisan, non-candidate student learning civic engagement program |
| Latino Community Foundation | 2016 | $144,289 | Nosotros Votamos Initiative |
| NALEO Educational Fund | 2016 | $15,000 | General support |
| PSE Healthy Energy | 2016 | $96,500 | General support |
| Stockholm Environment Institute US | 2016 | $40,000 | Support of the research project Greenhouse Gas Emission from US offshore oil |
| The Bus Federation Civic Fund | 2016 | $150,000 | Coordination of National Voter Registration Days |
| The Partnership Project | 2016 | $250,000 | General support - climate action campaign |
| Western Organization of Resource Councils | 2016 | $200,000 | General support |
| Advanced Energy Economy Institute | 2015 | $25,000 | Clean power plan |
| Alliance for Climate Education | 2015 | $638,858 | Get loud challenge |
| Audubon California | 2015 | $10,000 | Groundwater monitors |
| Center for American Progress | 2015 | $28,000 | Energy & climate |
| Climate Solutions | 2015 | $10,000 | General support - Washington state |
| Policy Matters Ohio | 2015 | $75,000 | Energy & climate |
| PSE Healthy Energy | 2015 | $96,500 | General support |
| Roosevelt Institute | 2015 | $50,000 | Energy blueprint project |
| Silicon Valley Leadership Group | 2015 | $7,500 | Energy summit |
| The Partnership Project | 2015 | $280,000 | Climate action campaign |
| Voter Participation Center | 2015 | $250,000 | Non-partisan voter registration |
| Western Organization of Resource Councils | 2015 | $100,000 | Zero emissions campaign |
| The Partnership Project | 2014 | $280,000 | General support |
| Columbia University | 2014 | $200,000 | General support |
| Earth Day Network | 2014 | $315,000 | General support |
| Voter Participation Center | 2014 | $533,000 | General support |
| The Bus Federation Civic Fund | 2014 | $50,000 | General support |
| Total: | $7,835,627 |
References
- “NextGen Climate Expands Mission, Relaunches As NextGen America.” Green Technology. July 20, 2017. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://green-technology.org/newswireup/nextgen-america/.
- Au-Yeung, Angel. “How Billionaire Tom Steyer’s $123 Million Helped Democrats In The Midterms.” Forbes. November 09, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2018/11/09/how-billionaire-tom-steyers-123-million-made-a-difference-in-the-midterms/#7b590d7c3ed1.
- “NextGen Climate, SEIU International and Planned Parenthood Votes Announce Election Partnership in New Hampshire.” NextGen America. August 30, 2016. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-climate-seiu-international-planned-parenthood-votes-announce-election-partnership-new-hampshire/.
- “NextGen Climate, SEIU International and Planned Parenthood Votes Announce Election Partnership in New Hampshire.” NextGen America. August 30, 2016. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-climate-seiu-international-planned-parenthood-votes-announce-election-partnership-new-hampshire/.
- “NextGen Climate Debuts Natalie Portman Video for #WHYWEVOTE Campaign.” NextGen America. October 13, 2016. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/natalie-portman-video/.
- “NextGen Climate Debuts Natalie Portman Video for #WHYWEVOTE Campaign.” NextGen America. October 13, 2016. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/natalie-portman-video/.
- “Aziz Ansari Urges Young People to Vote in New NextGen Climate Video.” NextGen America. October 18, 2016. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/aziz-ansari-urges-young-people-vote-new-nextgen-climate-video/.
- “Julia Louis-Dreyfus Endorses Hillary Clinton, Katie McGinty, Catherine Cortez Masto, Maggie Hassan and Deborah Ross in New NextGen Climate Video.” NextGen America. November 11, 2016. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/julia-louis-dreyfus-endorses-hillary-clinton-katie-mcginty-catherine-cortez-masto-maggie-hassan-deborah-ross-new-nextgen-climate-video/.
- “NextGen America Launches Black Lives Rising to Increase Black Youth Turnout in Midterm Elections.” NextGen America. September 18, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-america-launches-black-lives-rising-to-increase-black-youth-turnout-in-midterm-elections/.
- “NextGen America Launches Black Lives Rising to Increase Black Youth Turnout in Midterm Elections.” NextGen America. September 18, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-america-launches-black-lives-rising-to-increase-black-youth-turnout-in-midterm-elections/.
- “NextGen America Announces General Election Plan for Electing Andrew Gillum and Florida Democrats.” NextGen America. September 25, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-america-announces-general-election-plan-for-electing-andrew-gillum-and-florida-democrats/.
- “NextGen America Announces General Election Plan for Electing Andrew Gillum and Florida Democrats.” NextGen America. September 25, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-america-announces-general-election-plan-for-electing-andrew-gillum-and-florida-democrats/.
- “NextGen America Puts Up Billboard Calling Out Rep. Walters for Supporting Offshore Drilling.” NextGen America. April 17, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-america-puts-billboard-calling-rep-walters-supporting-offshore-drilling/.
- Bowman, Bridget. “Steyer-Backed Group Goes Negative in House Democratic Primary.” Roll Call. May 02, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/steyer-backed-group-goes-negative-in-house-democratic-primary.
- Bowman, Bridget. “Steyer-Backed Group Goes Negative in House Democratic Primary.” Roll Call. May 02, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/steyer-backed-group-goes-negative-in-house-democratic-primary.
- “Tom Steyer’s NextGen Climate Action Premieres First in “Keystone Chronicles” Ad Series.” PR Newswire. September 08, 2013. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tom-steyers-nextgen-climate-action-premieres-first-in-keystone-chronicles-ad-series-222843651.html.
- “Statement from Tom Steyer on Senate Keystone XL Vote.” NextGen America. November 29, 2015. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/statement-from-tom-steyer-on-senate-keystone-xl-vote/.
- Barron-Lopez, Laura. “Senate Votes to Build Keystone, Defying Veto Threat from Obama.” The Hill. January 29, 2015. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/231193-senate-votes-to-build-keystone.
- “NextGen Climate Releases New Digital Ad Celebrating The Rejection Of The Keystone XL Pipeline.” NextGen America. November 06, 2015. Accessed March 22, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-climate-releases-new-ad-marking-the-rejection-of-the-keystone-xl-pipeline/.
- “Advanced Energy Advocate Tom Steyer Makes Case For Calstrs’ Coal Divestment.” NextGen America. June 12, 2015. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/advanced-energy-advocate-tom-steyer-makes-case-for-calstrs-coal-divestment/.
- “Statement From Tom Steyer On The Obama Administration’s Reform Of The Federal Coal Leasing Program.” NextGen America. January 14, 2016. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/statement-from-tom-steyer-on-the-obama-administrations-reform-of-the-federal-coal-leasing-program/.
- “NextGen America Announces an Additional $1 Million Investment in Legal Services for Immigrant Communities.” NextGen America. June 14, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-america-announces-additional-1-million-investment-legal-services-immigrant-communities/.
- “NextGen America Announces an Additional $1 Million Investment in Legal Services for Immigrant Communities.” NextGen America. June 14, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/press/nextgen-america-announces-additional-1-million-investment-legal-services-immigrant-communities/.
- “Immigration.” NextGen America. Accessed March 21, 2019. https://nextgenamerica.org/issues/immigration/.
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). NextGen Climate America. 2013-2018. Part I.
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). NextGen America. 2014-2018. Schedule I.