Howard Rich is an American real estate investor, prominent libertarian political activist, and conservative philanthropist known for his significant financial support of conservative, limited-government, and anti-tax initiatives at the state level. Born in 1941 in New York City, Rich built his career in real estate, amassing wealth that he later channeled into political advocacy and philanthropy. He founded Americans for Limited Government (ALG) in 2002, serving as its chairman, and has been a key funder of ballot initiatives promoting term limits, property rights, and tax limitations across various states. His philanthropy extends to organizations like U.S. Term Limits and the Club for Growth, where he has donated millions to advance libertarian principles and challenge entrenched political power structures.

Rich's activism often focuses on grassroots efforts to influence state politics, including funding campaigns against judicial activism and for fiscal conservatism. He has been described as a major player in the 'dark money' networks supporting conservative causes, with ties to entities like the Donors Capital Fund, which has been accused of acting as a pass-through for anonymous donations. Despite his low public profile, Rich's strategic giving has helped shape policy debates in states like Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alaska, earning him both praise from libertarians and criticism from opponents who view his efforts as attempts to undermine democratic processes.

In addition to his political work, Rich maintains business interests in real estate development and investment. He resides primarily in the New York area but operates nationally through his organizations. His motivations are rooted in a belief in individual liberty and limited government intervention, influenced by his background as a self-made entrepreneur.