Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University
Background
The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) at George Mason University is a non-profit organization hosted by George Mason University.1“Institute for Humane Studies,” Sourcewatch. Archived September 16, 2015.
The IHS was founded by Dr. F. A. ‘Baldy’ Harper, a former economics professor at Cornell University. According to the institute’s website, Harper is described as setting up an institution “devoted to research and education with the conviction that a greater understanding of human affairs and freedom would foster peace, prosperity, and social harmony.”2“Who We Are,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived September 9, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/a3447
The Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University seeks to “inspire students and professors to engage with the ideas of freedom” and “connect them to a community of individuals committed to the power of freedom and of ideas.”3“Who We Are,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived September 9, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/a3447
The Institute for Humane Studies has been referred to as “a haven for climate change deniers that receives funding from the Koch family foundations.”4“Climate Change Deniers Without Borders,” Mother Jones, December 22, 2009. Archived September 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/r3okz
Charles Koch is the Chairman of the Institute for Humane Studies’ board of directors, and according to a Greenpeace analysis, the Institute for Humane Studies has received at least $30,033,549 from Koch foundation grants from 1997-2015.5“FAQ,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived June 13, 2010. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UOHL0 6“Institute for Humane Studies (IHS),” Greenpeace. Archived September 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EzksT
The Institute for Humane Studies formerly offered undergraduate students, graduate students, law students, and recent graduates “The Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program,” which was founded in 1992 by the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation and was run by IHS “with the generous support of the foundation and CEO of Koch Industries, Inc.“7“FAQ,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived June 13, 2010. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UOHL0
According to the IHS’ archived “FAQ” page, “ideal candidates” of The Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program “will have a demonstrated interest in public policy issues and in learning how a market-based approach might help solve social and economic problems.”8“FAQ,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived June 13, 2010. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UOHL0
Stance on Climate Change
A search query for the terms “global warming” and “climate change” on the Institute for Humane Studies’ website yields few results. However, Greenpeace reported that “several prominent climate change deniers have prominent positions at IHS,” including S. Fred Singer and Robert Bradley.9“Institute for Humane Studies (IHS),” Greenpeace. Archived September 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EzksT
Funding
The following data has been compiled from records at the Conservative Transparency project plus additional information from publicly available 990 tax forms. See the attached spreadsheet for details on the Institute for Humane Studies’s funding by year (.xlsx).10“Institute for Humane Studies,” Conservative Transparency. Data retrieved April 27, 2018.
IHS as Recipient
| Donor | Total |
| Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation | $35,029,842 |
| Searle Freedom Trust | $4,397,532 |
| The Marcus Foundation | $3,875,000 |
| Donors Capital Fund | $3,709,636 |
| David H. Koch Charitable Foundation | $3,450,000 |
| DonorsTrust | $2,995,250 |
| John Templeton Foundation | $2,966,410 |
| Dunn’s Foundation for the Advancement of Right Thinking | $2,718,700 |
| Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation | $2,340,074 |
| John William Pope Foundation | $1,670,000 |
| Earhart Foundation | $1,664,144 |
| E L Craig Foundation | $1,575,500 |
| Sarah Scaife Foundation | $1,550,000 |
| Ed Uihlein Family Foundation | $1,385,000 |
| John M. Olin Foundation | $1,198,000 |
| Michael and Andrea Leven Family Foundation | $830,000 |
| Walton Family Foundation | $720,000 |
| Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Moller Foundation | $661,725 |
| Richard Seth Staley Educational Foundation | $629,169 |
| The TWS Foundation | $550,000 |
| Pierre F. and Enid Goodrich Foundation | $505,000 |
| The Carthage Foundation | $480,000 |
| The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation | $455,000 |
| Jaquelin Hume Foundation | $435,000 |
| Charlotte and Walter Kohler Charitable Trust | $375,000 |
| The Rodney Fund | $346,800 |
| Lowndes Foundation | $321,577 |
| F.M. Kirby Foundation | $280,000 |
| Charles Koch Institute | $275,800 |
| Philanthropy Roundtable | $250,000 |
| Chase Foundation of Virginia | $210,760 |
| Claws Foundation | $210,000 |
| JM Foundation | $205,000 |
| The Roe Foundation | $189,500 |
| Thomas W Smith Foundation | $175,000 |
| Schwab Charitable Fund | $142,918 |
| Philip M. McKenna Foundation | $142,000 |
| The Randolph Foundation | $135,000 |
| Lovett and Ruth Peters Foundation | $130,000 |
| Armstrong Foundation | $121,000 |
| George Mason University Foundation | $110,878 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | $70,500 |
| Diana Davis Spencer Foundation | $60,000 |
| Charles and Ann Johnson Foundation | $44,000 |
| Barbara and Barre Seid Foundation | $40,000 |
| Robert and Marie Hansen Foundation | $37,500 |
| Central Children’s Charities | $35,000 |
| The Challenge Foundation | $35,000 |
| Foundation for Economic Education | $32,838 |
| Aequus Institute | $25,000 |
| Chiavacci Family Foundation | $14,500 |
| Jewish Community Fund | $10,100 |
| Atlas Economic Research Foundation | $10,000 |
| Center for Independent Thought | $6,000 |
| The Howell Foundation | $5,425 |
| Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation | $5,000 |
| Tepper Family Foundation | $4,000 |
| Eric Javits Family Foundation | $2,750 |
| Cato Institute | $2,000 |
| Hickory Foundation | $1,500 |
| John P and Kathryn G Evans Foundation | $1,160 |
| Gilder Foundation | $750 |
| Grand Total | $79,855,238 |
IHS as Donor
| Recipient | Total |
| State Policy Network | $94,751 |
| University of New Orleans Foundation | $55,900 |
| The Ohio State University Foundation | $54,000 |
| Northwood University | $47,021 |
| Students for Liberty | $46,770 |
| George Mason University Foundation | $38,500 |
| Christopher Newport University Educational Foundation | $25,900 |
| UNC Chapel Hill Arts and Sciences Foundation | $24,140 |
| Center for Ethics & Entrepreneurship Rockford University | $24,000 |
| Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan | $23,295 |
| Ramapo College Foundation | $23,000 |
| Young Americans for Liberty Foundation | $21,500 |
| University of Arizona Foundation | $19,996 |
| West Virginia University Foundation | $19,380 |
| Florida State University Foundation | $17,500 |
| Texas Tech Foundation | $16,690 |
| The University of West Florida Foundation | $14,000 |
| George Mason University | $13,000 |
| Murray State University | $13,000 |
| Evangel University | $12,845 |
| University of Minnesota | $12,650 |
| Florida Southern College | $12,000 |
| Arizona State University Foundation | $12,000 |
| Rose State College | $11,250 |
| University Foundation at Sacramento state | $10,600 |
| Long Island University | $9,250 |
| Boise State University Foundation | $9,200 |
| Lock Haven University Foundation | $7,500 |
| Boundary Stone | $7,500 |
| Troy University | $7,300 |
| Michigan State University | $7,000 |
| University of Colorado | $6,500 |
| Agora Institute | $6,500 |
| Duke University | $6,500 |
| Stillman College | $6,500 |
| Institute for Religion Politics & Culture | $6,400 |
| The Parr Center for Ethics UNC Chapel Hill | $6,000 |
| Aquinas College | $6,000 |
| St Cloud University | $6,000 |
| University of Vermont | $6,000 |
| Georgia State University Research Foundation | $6,000 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | $6,000 |
| Department of Philosophy UNC Chapel Hill | $6,000 |
| George Mason University Department of Economics | $6,000 |
| Clemson University | $5,500 |
| Houston Baptist University | $5,500 |
| Campbell University | $5,245 |
| West Liberty University Research Corp | $5,000 |
| St John’s University | $5,000 |
| Rhodes College | $5,000 |
| CNU Education | $5,000 |
| Donors Trust | $2,500 |
| Grand Total | $830,583 |
Koch Funding
According to data collected by Greenpeace USA, the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) has received $34,242,531 in combined donations from Koch-related foundations between 1986 and 2015. Note that original tax forms are only available for data from 1997 onwards. Verifiable Koch funding from 1997 to 2015 totals $30,033,549:11“Institute for Humane Studies (IHS): Koch Industries Climate Denial Front Group,” Greenpeace USA. Accessed March 13, 2017. Archived data on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/8sAbw
| Year | Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation | David H. Koch Charitable Foundation | Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation | Charles Koch Institute | Grand Total |
| 1986* | $200,000 | $45,000 | $245,000 | ||
| 1987* | $8,308 | $250,000 | $150,000 | $408,308 | |
| 1988* | $250,000 | $150,000 | $400,000 | ||
| 1989* | $115,000 | $250,000 | $365,000 | ||
| 1990* | $253,000 | $253,000 | |||
| 1991* | $353,000 | $353,000 | |||
| 1992* | $50,000 | $443,074 | $493,074 | ||
| 1993* | $45,600 | $536,000 | $581,600 | ||
| 1995* | $350,000 | $350,000 | |||
| 1996* | $350,000 | $410,000 | $760,000 | ||
| 1997 | $350,000 | $350,000 | |||
| 1999 | $200,000 | $250,000 | $450,000 | ||
| 2000 | $200,000 | $200,000 | |||
| 2001 | $600,000 | $600,000 | |||
| 2002 | $334,000 | $334,000 | |||
| 2003 | $22,457 | $22,457 | |||
| 2006 | $1,082,000 | $1,082,000 | |||
| 2007 | $885,000 | $885,000 | |||
| 2008 | $1,169,000 | $1,169,000 | |||
| 2009 | $2,461,091 | $2,461,091 | |||
| 2010 | $2,159,500 | $2,159,500 | |||
| 2011 | $3,671,500 | $3,671,500 | |||
| 2012 | $2,978,770 | $2,978,770 | |||
| 2013 | $4,050,000 | $4,050,000 | |||
| 2014 | $4,930,169 | $42,680 | $4,972,849 | ||
| 2015 | $4,572,182 | $75,200 | $4,647,382 | ||
| 2016 | $5,836,462 | $84,720 | $5,921,182 | ||
| 2017 | $458,803 | $400,000 | $73,200 | $932,003 | |
| Grand Total | $35,029,842 | $3,450,000 | $2,340,074 | $275,800 | $41,095,716 |
*Original tax forms for data prior to 1997 are not available for verification.
990 Forms
Key People
Leadership
- Marty Zupan — President & CEO
- Chad Thevenot — Executive Director
- Laura Bernett Cheplak — Senior Director of Operations
- Jennifer Thompson — Senior Director of Programs
- Daniel Butler — Director of Development
- Gary Leff — Chief Financial Officer
- Todd Noebel — Senior Director of Hiring and Professional Development
- Todd Hathaway — Senior Director of Information Technology
Source: 12“Who We Are,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived September 9, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/a3447
Board of Directors
As of June 2014: 13“Institute for Humane Studies,” Sourcewatch. Archived September 16, 2015. 14“Institute for Humane Studies,” GuideStar.
- Charles G. Koch (Chair), Koch Industries, Wichita, KS
- Donald Boudreax, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
- John Blundell, Institute of Economic Affairs, London, UK
- Timothy Browne, Autana Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA
- Tyler Cowen, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
- Richard Fink, Koch Industries, Washington, DC
- Jerry Fullinwider, Hillwood International Energy, Dallas, TX
- David Humphreys, Tamko Asphalt Products, Joplin, MO
- Eric O’Keefe, OKE Associates, Spring Green, WI
- James Pope, Variety Wholesalers, Raleigh, NC
- William Sumner, Scottsdale, AZ
Actions
2009
The Institute for Humane Studies was involved in creating material for the 2009 edition of ABC News’ Stossel in the Classroom, which is owned and operated by The Center for Independent Thought. A segment of Stossel in the Classroom explicitly told students that there is still a debate “about whether or not human activity is the cause” of climate change. The program featured several speakers with known ties to front groups and fossil fuel companies, including: Alex Epstein, Roy Spencer, Tim Ball, and John Christy.15“Center for Independent Thought: Stossel in the Classroom,” Greenpeace. Archived September 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9pXVI
1992
The Institute for Humane Studies launched the “Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program,” funded by Charles Koch himself, “which mentors young, self-described libertarians.”16“Political Activities of the Koch Brothers,” Wikipedia. Archived September 16, 2015.
Institute for Humane Studies Contact & Location
As of June 2016, the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) listed the following contact information on its website:17“Contact Us,” Institute for Humane Studies. Archived June 12, 2016. Archive URL:
Institute for Humane Studies
at George Mason University
3434 Washington Blvd.,
MS 1C5
Arlington, VA 22201Phone: 703.993.4880
Toll Free: 800.697.8799
Fax: 703.993.4890
Related Organizations
- Carthage Foundation
- CATO Institute
- Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation
- Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation
- David H. Koch Foundation
- Donors Capital Fund
- DonorsTrust
- Dunn’s Foundation for the Advancement of Right Thinking
- George Mason University
- John M. Olin Foundation
- John William Pope Foundation
- Koch Family Foundations
- Mercatus Center
- Sarah Scaife Foundation
- Searle Freedom Trust
- Walton Family Foundation
Source:18“Institute for Humane Studies,” Sourcewatch. Archived September 16, 2015.
Social Media
- @TheIHS on Twitter.
- “Institute for Humane Studies” on Facebook.
- “Institute for Humane Studies” on LinkedIn,
Other Resources
- John R. Mashey. “Fakery 2: Fake science, fakexperts, funny finances, free of tax” (PDF), DeSmog, October 23, 2012.
- “George Mason University,” DeSmog profile.
- “Mercatus Center,” DeSmog profile.
- Brendan Montague. “Blundell: The Missing Link Between Oil Baron Charles Koch and British Climate Denial,” DeSmog, November 29, 2014.
Resources
- 1“Institute for Humane Studies,” Sourcewatch. Archived September 16, 2015.
- 2“Who We Are,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived September 9, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/a3447
- 3“Who We Are,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived September 9, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/a3447
- 4“Climate Change Deniers Without Borders,” Mother Jones, December 22, 2009. Archived September 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/r3okz
- 5“FAQ,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived June 13, 2010. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UOHL0
- 6“Institute for Humane Studies (IHS),” Greenpeace. Archived September 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EzksT
- 7“FAQ,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived June 13, 2010. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UOHL0
- 8“FAQ,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived June 13, 2010. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UOHL0
- 9“Institute for Humane Studies (IHS),” Greenpeace. Archived September 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EzksT
- 10“Institute for Humane Studies,” Conservative Transparency. Data retrieved April 27, 2018.
- 11“Institute for Humane Studies (IHS): Koch Industries Climate Denial Front Group,” Greenpeace USA. Accessed March 13, 2017. Archived data on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/8sAbw
- 12“Who We Are,” Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived September 9, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/a3447
- 13“Institute for Humane Studies,” Sourcewatch. Archived September 16, 2015.
- 14“Institute for Humane Studies,” GuideStar.
- 15“Center for Independent Thought: Stossel in the Classroom,” Greenpeace. Archived September 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9pXVI
- 16“Political Activities of the Koch Brothers,” Wikipedia. Archived September 16, 2015.
- 17“Contact Us,” Institute for Humane Studies. Archived June 12, 2016. Archive URL:
- 18“Institute for Humane Studies,” Sourcewatch. Archived September 16, 2015.
