SPLC’s Internal Hypocrisy — CNN Investigation
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) presents itself as a civil rights watchdog, but it’s neither a government agency nor a center of anything. Much like the Better Business Bureau isn’t a bureau of anything, the SPLC is also a private organization. Its funding depends on attracting donors — and keeping them engaged with the information they want them to print to maintain their income, the SPLC regularly publishes controversial hate group designations that align with its donors’ expectations rather than objective standards.
The U.S. Government Does Not Classify the Proud Boys as a Hate Group
Despite the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) prominent labeling of the Proud Boys as a “hate group,” no federal government agency in the United States officially agrees with that classification.
In 2018, a local FBI field office in Washington state briefly referred to the Proud Boys as an “extremist group,” but the FBI quickly clarified that it does not designate the Proud Boys as a domestic terrorist or hate organization on a national level. (The Hill)
Likewise, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made no formal designation of the Proud Boys as a hate group, nor has the U.S. State Department listed them as a terrorist organization.
Even in high-profile court cases following the events of January 6, Proud Boys members were charged with crimes such as seditious conspiracy, not for participating in a group that promotes racial hatred or meets any legal definition of a hate organization. The U.S. court system held individuals accountable, not the group as a whole, and never legally deemed the Proud Boys a hate-based or terrorist entity.
This stands in sharp contrast to the SPLC’s broad labeling, which carries no legal authority. In fact, SPLC’s designation is not recognized by any U.S. government body, making it a political opinion, not a formal or legal classification.
The bottom line: If the Proud Boys were truly a federally recognized hate group, there would be official listings, legal bans, and wide-reaching government sanctions. There are none. The SPLC’s label is ideological, not institutional — and it’s critical that the public recognizes the difference.
Top Left-Leaning Donors to the SPLC
These major funders help sustain the SPLC’s 501(c)(3) operations, including its ongoing publication of “hate group” lists that critics argue align with donor priorities.
Top Left-Leaning Donors to the SPLC
- Open Society Foundations (George Soros) — donated tens of millions, often via intermediary groups.
- Ford Foundation — major supporter of progressive causes, including SPLC‑affiliated projects.
- Tides Foundation / Tides Center — donor-advised fund distributing hundreds of millions to progressive nonprofits.
- Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund — one of the largest donor‑advised funds contributing to left‑leaning nonprofits including SPLC.
- Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program — a significant source of donor‑advised funds supporting progressive organizations.
These major funders help sustain the SPLC’s 501(c)(3) operations, including its ongoing publication of “hate group” lists that critics argue align with donor priorities.
The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Financers: Top Institutional & Foundation Donors to SPLC (Largest to Least)
| Rank | Donor | Estimated Total Given | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Picower Foundation | $3.8 million | Cumulative giving through ~2008. A major progressive grantmaker. |
| 2 | Cisco Systems Foundation | $1.62 million | Corporate philanthropy in early 2000s. |
| 3 | Grousbeck Family Foundation | $1.6 million | Known for supporting progressive causes. |
| 4 | Grove Foundation | $1.2 million | Multi-year support for legal advocacy. |
| 5 | Public Welfare Foundation | $1.05 million | Known for backing justice reform and civil rights. |
| 6 | Unbound Philanthropy | $850,000 | Immigration and civil rights focus. |
| 7 | Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund | $800,000–$4 million (est.) | Donor-advised; exact total varies by report. Anonymous donors. |
| 8 | Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | $748,000–$1.08 million | Another DAF channel with anonymous large-scale giving. |
| 9 | Rice Family Foundation | $635,000 | Regional philanthropy. |
| 10 | W.K. Kellogg Foundation | $650,000 | Known for racial equity and education grants. |
| 11 | Schwab Charitable Fund | $758,000 | Donor-advised fund; anonymous contributions. |
| 12 | Foundation to Promote Open Society (Soros) | $75,000 | One known grant in 2016; not a top SPLC funder overall. |
| 13 | Tides Foundation | $75,000–$1 million+ | Pass-through fund for progressive causes. |
“What the SPLC Claims About the Proud Boys — And Why It Doesn’t Hold Up”
Deconstructing the SPLC’s Narrative Against the Proud Boys
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) classifies the Proud Boys as a “hate group,” citing alleged connections to political violence, white nationalism, and extremism. However, this label has drawn widespread criticism from conservatives, journalists, and watchdog groups who argue that the SPLC routinely overreaches for political purposes and uses the “hate group” label as a fundraising tool, not a legal or objective standard.
Several media outlets, including Revolver News and Human Events, have called out these distortions, showing how the SPLC conflates isolated incidents by individuals with the ideology of the group as a whole. Even in high-profile court cases, judges have often focused on the actions of specific members — not a broader conspiracy of hate.
The SPLC itself has been plagued by scandal. Former staff and insiders have accused it of hypocrisy, racial discrimination, and internal corruption– all while it rakes in millions from left-leaning donors. Investigations by sources like the Capital Research Center and Daily Signal reveal a pattern of inflated threat narratives and partisan targeting, which raises serious doubts about the SPLC’s credibility as a neutral arbiter.
2020 In short, the SPLC’s depiction of the Proud Boys appears more aligned with a political agenda than objective fact. When evaluating their claims, readers should consider the source, follow the money, and explore independent reporting that offers the full story.
The Proud Boys and Community Outreach
Members of the Proud Boys have participated in disaster relief, including assisting at a hurricane cleanup site in the southern United States, where members stated to have been spotted helping with relief efforts in the South eastern US.
The SPLC’s credibility has eroded due to partisan labeling and selective reporting.”
— Senator Ted Cruz
