Shell Foundation’s Controversial Donations Exposed
The Shell USA Company Foundation has been discovered to have donated substantial sums, totaling $544,010, to various conservative and religious right organizations from 2013 to 2022. These groups, many of which are involved in Project 2025, advocate for limiting the authority of the Environment Protection Agency and other radical federal changes.
Among the recipients are the Heartland Institute and the American Family Association, organizations known for spreading climate disinformation. The Heartland Institute falsely claims there is no climate crisis, while the American Family Association sees the climate agenda as an attack on divine creation.
Shell’s foundation contributions also extend to the Heritage Foundation, a leading force behind Project 2025. This thinktank, closely tied to former President Trump, has a history of undermining climate science, emphasizing the unreliability of climate change models.
Wake Forest University professor Adrian Bardon notes that Shell’s strategy is to maintain influential political connections that align with fossil fuel interests, ensuring continued support for their industry’s agenda.
Employee-Driven Charitable Giving or Corporate Strategy?
The foundation operates by matching employee donations to non-profits, up to a limit of $7,500. While employees choose the recipients, Shell’s matching policy raises questions about the company’s indirect support for controversial causes.
Despite claims of neutrality, tax records show that Shell’s foundation supports groups with strong political and cultural agendas. The donations span various sectors but often align with conservative and anti-regulation stances.
Key donees include:
- The American Family Association, receiving $59,264, known for its anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion activism.
- The Heritage Foundation, with $23,321, advocating against climate change consensus.
- Alliance Defending Freedom, getting $58,002, notable for its role in overturning Roe v. Wade.
These contributions highlight the foundation’s role in bolstering a network of organizations opposing progressive climate and social policies.
Unveiling the Full Extent of Shell’s Influence
Further scrutiny reveals that Shell’s foundation has also supported institutions like Hillsdale College and the Texas Public Policy Foundation. These entities, aligned with Project 2025, promote climate skepticism and conservative educational reforms.
In total, Shell has funneled funds to at least 21 groups dedicated to thwarting progressive changes. This includes the Texas Right to Life and Prager University Foundation, which are vocal against the climate crisis narrative.
Peter Montgomery from People for the American Way emphasizes that these organizations operate within the rightwing policy and propaganda realms, targeting both regulatory measures and cultural shifts.
Shell’s foundation’s financial backing of these groups underscores its strategic positioning within a broader conservative coalition, ensuring shared opposition to regulations and climate action.
Speculation and Speculation on Shell’s True Motives
Despite the foundation’s claims of impartiality, Bardon suggests that these donations are a calculated effort to align with powerful conservative allies. The foundation’s president, Gretchen Watkins, insists that giving is a personal employee decision, not directed by Shell.
However, the consistent support for organizations with strong anti-climate and conservative agendas raises doubts about the true intention behind these contributions. The lack of transparency fuels speculation about Shell’s motives.
Shell’s substantial earnings and global influence, coupled with its foundation’s targeted donations, indicate a strategic approach to maintaining its industry’s dominance and legislative influence.
As Bardon points out, this alignment ensures that any regulatory threats to the fossil fuel industry are collectively opposed by a well-funded and influential network.
Toby
Great job on this article! Really eye-opening stuff. Keep up the good work!
kevin_shadow4
How can we trust companies like Shell when they fund anti-environment groups?
shadow
Did anyone else find it hilarious that Shell claims these are “neutral” donations? 😂
amelia
This is seriously messed up. Isn’t anyone holding them accountable?
jordan
Thank you for exposing this. It’s important people know where these funds are going.
penelope
Wow, this is really shocking! How can they justify these donations? 😮