WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL) has released research obtained through collaboration with the American Accountability Foundation, alleging that the Hewlett Foundation is spending millions to support "illegal and racist" Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This financial support reportedly includes funding organizations that encourage efforts to take over higher education institutions in support of regimes such as Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other anti-Semitic actors.
The Hewlett Foundation was founded by Bill Hewlett of Hewlett Packard fame and his wife Flora in 1966. The foundation operates with a multi-billion dollar endowment. Without specific guidelines from its founder on fund usage, the foundation's direction fell into the hands of leftist ideologues. In 2012, Larry Kramer, a former Stanford Law School dean, took control and expanded the foundation’s focus on environmental protection, performing arts, women’s reproductive rights, cybersecurity issues, U.S. democracy, racial justice, and economic prosperity.
In 2022 alone, the Hewlett Foundation made several notable donations:
- $650,000 to the Action Center on Race & The Economy Institute. According to its website, this organization places racism at its core mission and supports groups organizing against Israel.
- $800,014 to Achieving the Dream for transforming community colleges by implementing an equity agenda aimed at increasing social justice.
- $200,000 to the Alameda County Office of Education which promotes anti-racist activism among educators.
- $136,100 to the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy aiming to reimagine legal systems for racial healing.
- $160,000 to the American Library Association which aims to change thinking and behavior towards anti-racist objectives.
- $517,214 to Asia Society for improving equity in education systems.
- $230,000 to AXIS Dance Company committed to anti-equality activism.
- $125,000 to Black Feminist Future empowering gender-expansive people towards liberation.
- Over $2 million to Center for American Progress advancing policies through an equity lens.
- $250,000 to Center for Black Brown and Queer Studies promoting critical race theory and LGBTQ+ studies.
America First Legal previously exposed similar activities by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Ian Prior from America First Legal commented on these findings but did not provide additional details within this release.