Written by Sarah Thompson.
A nonprofit that once championed “voter rights” has been unmasked for its deceptive tactics aimed at suppressing GOP mail-in voting. Federal Election Commission records revealed that the Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, a little-known dark money group, funded an anti-Trump ad campaign designed to discourage his supporters from voting by mail.
On June 14, 2024, Global Impact Social Welfare Fund donated $50,000 to PA Values, and two days later, PA Values used $48,000 to produce an ad urging “MAGA PATRIOTS” to “stand strong WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP” against mail-in voting. Despite Trump’s earlier skepticism about mail-in voting, he has since encouraged his supporters to use it to “beat the Democrats,” according to the Washington Free Beacon.
The ad drew widespread criticism and raised questions about its funding. Previously, PA Values had received contributions from labor unions and the law firm of Sen. Bob Casey’s brother. However, during this election cycle, the organization’s bank account was empty until the Global Impact donation.
Accusations and Investigations
The Trump campaign has accused PA Values of election interference over the misleading advertisement and has called for a law enforcement investigation into the matter. A left-wing election law professor described the ad as “borderline criminal” and condemned PA Values for engaging in “trickery and voter suppression.”
Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, which claims to “empower social impact” in areas like justice reform and “voter rights,” operates as a dark money group, masking its donors’ identities. Its parent organization, Global Impact, a “philanthropy adviser” that runs Charity.org, made the only traceable contribution: $8.9 million in 2023 out of a total of $22.4 million in donations that year.
The most recent tax filing showed that Global Impact Social Welfare Fund spent $3.3 million on “voter rights and education programs.” Despite its mission statement, the organization’s actions suggest a different agenda, one that undermines the very principles it claims to support.
Our Take
The actions of the Global Impact Social Welfare Fund reveal a troubling trend of deceptive tactics and voter suppression disguised as voter rights advocacy. This incident underscores the need for transparency in political funding and the importance of holding organizations accountable for their actions. When groups like this operate in the shadows, they undermine the democratic process and erode public trust. The public deserves to know who is behind these campaigns and their true intentions.
