How Dark Money has Influenced Evangelicalism
Dark money is a problem in American politics and religion. What is it? Untraceable money that often comes from big donors, which is channelled through non-profits to hide the identity of the donor. This money is then able to back causes that may or may not be positive.
What is the Council for National Policy?
The Council for National Policy is an organization in the pipeline for Christian dark money. It finances groups such as the Heritage Foundation, Focus on the Family, pro-life organizations, Turning Point USA, and others. They also coordinate language around denial of climate change, COVID, and election results. Their first president was Tim LaHaye, but he is just the tip of the iceberg.
Shadow Network by Anne Nelson
Our guide through this story is Anne Nelson, author of Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right. It is an excellent resource that is critical for anyone interested in how some evangelicals tied themselves to the Republican Party.
Sources:
- Biographical video from Turning Point USA about Foster Friess
- Shadow Network by Anne Nelson
- Christian Reconstruction: RJ Rushdoony and American Religious Conservatism by Michael McVicar
- 100 Things to See in the Night Sky Expanded Edition. By Dean Regas
- Christianity and Oil in US History
- Article on Nelson Bunker Hunt
- Birchers by Matthew Dallek
- The Road to Serfdom (comic version) adapted from Hayek
- Reaganland and Before the Storm by Rick Perlstein
- “Information Sheet, Council for National Policy,” May 1984
- Dark Money by Jane Mayer
- article on Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education
- Ponzinomics by Robert Fitzpatrick
- Justice Department article about Blackwater/ Prince
- Adams, D. C., Robles, F., & Mazzetti, M. (2025). A Desperate Haiti Turns to Erik Prince, Trump Ally, In Fight Against Gangs. New York: New York Times Company.
- Census data on Wyoming
- Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.
- Leadership Institute website (accessed 8/8/25)
- Email blast from National Religious Broadcasters titled: “NRB President & CEO to Advocate on Capitol Hill for AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” released July 14, 2025
- Salem Media website
- NRB Article about Bott Radio
- PRwatch.org article and video about CNP
- Jackson Hole News and Guide article about Donald Trump Jr.’s visit to Jackson in 2016
- New York Times article on Foster Friess
- Tax documents from Turning Point USA, courtesy of Pro Publica
- 2017 Jane Mayer profile of Turning Point USA
- ProPublica article on the Kochs
- Time article on the Koch’s and i360
- Article on how many people didn’t vote in 2024
- New York Times article about Trump’s call to the Georgia election rep
- The Guardian article about Kirk’s busing of people to the January 6, 2021, riot
- EPA article about its origins
Discussion Questions:
- What is dark money? Should Christians participate in it?
- What are the functions of groups like the Council for National Policy?
- Who was Foster Friess?
- Why is it important to include a discussion of dark money when talking about things like Turning Point USA?
- What is the connection between evangelicalism and oil?