Key Facts
Career & Education
About
Avi Meyerstein is an American nonprofit executive with a background in strategic philanthropy focused on conservative and pro-Israel causes. He served as the Executive Director of the Donors Capital Fund (DCF), a donor-advised fund established in 1999 that facilitates anonymous giving to right-leaning organizations. Under Meyerstein's leadership from approximately 2002 to 2013, DCF distributed over $1 billion to various recipients, including prominent conservative think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, and media outlets like the Daily Caller. The fund has been criticized for its role in funding climate change denial groups and other controversial initiatives, though Meyerstein emphasized the importance of donor privacy and strategic impact in interviews and public statements.
Meyerstein's career reflects a commitment to leveraging philanthropy for policy influence, particularly in areas of national security, Jewish advocacy, and free-market economics. Prior to DCF, he worked in fundraising and development for Jewish and Israeli causes, including roles with organizations like the Zionist Organization of America. His involvement in pro-Israel networks has linked him to broader conservative donor ecosystems, including ties to figures in the Republican Party and evangelical supporters of Israel. After departing DCF, Meyerstein transitioned to advisory roles in philanthropy, consulting on donor strategies for conservative initiatives, though he has maintained a relatively low public profile.
Allegations of opaque funding practices have shadowed Meyerstein's tenure at DCF, with investigations by outlets like The New York Times highlighting how the fund served as a pass-through for wealthy donors to influence politics without disclosure. No personal legal issues are documented, but the organization's practices have drawn scrutiny from watchdog groups for potentially evading transparency laws. Meyerstein has defended these models as essential for protecting donor intent in a polarized environment.