The National Education Association (NEA), representing over three million educators across the United States, has funneled millions of dollars into various activist organizations and social justice groups, as revealed by federal labor disclosure documents for the fiscal year 2024. The NEA's financial allocations have prompted a reevaluation of the union's primary objectives and its involvement in politically charged causes.
According to a November Form L-2 disclosure obtained by the North American Values Institute, the NEA's distribution of funds has notably diverged from traditional educational concerns. Records indicate that the union contributed more than $3.5 million to Education International, a global federation of teachers' unions. NEA President Becky Pringle's role as a vice president within this international body underscores the union's global engagement.
The disclosure also highlighted a $300,000 transfer to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, identified by Fox News as a liberal dark money group with significant influence on progressive political causes nationwide. The NEA's financial ties to this organization have fueled scrutiny over the transparency and intentions behind such contributions.
Further examination of the financial documents revealed that the NEA directed tens of thousands of dollars to the Tides Foundation network, known for its involvement in anti-Israel protests and support for far-left initiatives across the United States. The union's allocation of funds extended to various organizations promoting ballot initiatives on education policy and election law reforms in states including Ohio, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Wisconsin.
In Massachusetts, the NEA invested $500,000 in a campaign to abolish standardized testing, while another $500,000 supported an Ohio amendment proposal aimed at combating gerrymandering. Additionally, nearly half a million dollars was allocated to a progressive political consulting firm specializing in ballot initiatives and canvassing operations, signaling the union's broader political organizing efforts.
The union's commitment to social justice was further evidenced by a $166,000 payment to Imagine Us LLC for racial equity training programs and contributions to groups advocating for "social justice education" in K-12 classrooms. These educational materials address topics such as race, gender identity, and activism. The NEA also donated $350,000 to the Schott Foundation, a BIPOC-led public fund dedicated to racial and educational justice movements.
This pattern of spending has not gone unnoticed. Erika Donalds, a vocal critic of the NEA's actions, pointed to the union's federal charter and its significant financial contributions to left-wing groups as evidence of a misalignment with educational priorities. Mika Hackner, Director of Research at the North American Values Institute, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the union's focus has shifted from teacher welfare to political agendas.
