RePower Fund (sometimes written Re:Power), formerly known as Wellstone Action Fund, is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of far-left political training organization RePower (formerly Wellstone Action). Formed in Minnesota in 2003, the fund helps finance the parent organization’s left-wing political leadership programs. [1]
History
U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN), a staunch liberal; his wife, Sheila; and their daughter died in a plane crash on October 25, 2002. [2] Established in 2003 as the Wellstone Action and the Wellstone Action Fund—now known, respectively, as RePower and the RePower Fund—were created to continue the far-left legacies of the Wellstones. [3][4]
Both organizations were renamed in 2018 after the late senator’s two sons, Mark and David Wellstone, were voted off the board of directors. [5][6] Their ousting reportedly stemmed from voicing concerns about overspending in areas of the organization’s budget, and what its priorities should be in the future. [7]
Funding
In 2016, the RePower Fund reported $2.3 million in total earnings, with $1.8 million in coming from donors. [8]
Approximately 85 percent of the money donated to the group, came from three far-left groups: the Proteus Fund, Foundation to Promote Open Society, and the Ford Foundation. Broken down by group, the Proteus Fund gave $300,000; Foundation to Promote Open Society, which is run by billionaire liberal donor George Soros, gave $537,000; and the Ford Foundation contributed $700,000. [9] [10] [11]
Activities
The primary activity of the RePower Fund is financially supporting RePower’s left-wing leadership trainings. [12] Its top training program, Camp Wellstone, is entirely funded by the RePower Fund. [13][14] In addition, the fund transfers some of its income directly to RePower. [15] In 2015, the RePower Fund transferred more than 30 percent of its revenue to RePower—exceeding $1 million. [16]
Leadership
The group is led by a board of directors, which consists of seven members. [17] Sara Beth Mueller currently serves as the interim executive director of RePower and RePower Fund. [18] Prior to her employment at the organization, Mueller was the Director of Communications at Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota. [19]
Associated Organizations
Although officially separate groups, the RePower Fund exists to support RePower, its parent organization. [20]