Key Facts
Key Information
About
Donors Capital Fund (DCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit donor-advised fund founded in 1999 to anonymize contributions from wealthy conservative philanthropists to conservative causes, often used to obscure funding sources for politically active nonprofits. It operates as a sister organization and companion to DonorsTrust, sharing staff and leadership, and is specifically designed to handle larger donations, typically accounts of $1 million or more. DCF facilitates anonymous contributions to conservative, libertarian, pro-Israel, and right-wing causes—including think tanks, advocacy groups, political groups, and other nonprofits—without public disclosure of donor identities. The fund acts as a pass-through for anonymous conservative philanthropy, supporting initiatives aligned with principles of limited government, personal responsibility, free enterprise, and non-violence. It channels millions of dollars from wealthy individuals and undisclosed sources to conservative causes related to foreign policy, national security, pro-Israel advocacy, anti-Islamist efforts, organizations promoting anti-Muslim or anti-Islamic narratives, climate skepticism, and conservative media outlets.
Between 2002 and 2013, DCF and DonorsTrust together distributed nearly $400 million, with DCF specifically directing millions toward controversial recipients. By 2015, total distributions increased to $740 million, with significant portions directed to groups involved in what has been characterized as "Islamophobia," such as the Middle East Forum, Clarion Fund, Investigative Project on Terrorism, and David Horowitz Freedom Center, receiving over $21 million from 2007 to 2009. DCF also serves as a fiscal sponsor for new nonprofits and supports select foreign organizations, maintaining close collaboration with DonorsTrust to safeguard donor intent focused on free society principles. Its structure allows it to operate without revealing donor information, raising concerns about transparency in philanthropy and influence networks. Critics, including research from the Center for American Progress, have highlighted DCF's role in funding organizations that contribute to anti-Islamic hysteria in the United States and amplify conservative narratives opposing progressive causes such as climate change action, while shielding donor identities.