Foreign Money Fuels Leftist Causes in Iowa and Beyond: New Tool Exposes $5 Billion Influence Machine

As Iowans prepare to cast their ballots this November, a new watchdog tool reveals that foreign nationals, charities, and governments with anti-American agendas are pouring billions of dollars into U.S. politics, policy fights, and nonprofit organizations that push left-wing causes. Americans for Public Trust (APT), a government accountability group, has launched a first-of-its-kind database called Follow Foreign Money that tracks more than $5 billion in foreign grants to U.S.-based nonprofits.

The database compiles over 12,000 records, exposing how organizations with innocuous-sounding names are quietly using foreign cash to influence voter registration, state ballot initiatives, lobbying, protests, newsrooms, universities, and think tanks. Nearly 100 percent of these groups push left-wing agendas, according to APT.

What is the Follow Foreign Money database?

Follow Foreign Money is a searchable online tool that aggregates public records of foreign grants to American nonprofits. It allows voters to look up specific organizations and see exactly how much foreign money they have accepted and from whom. The goal, according to APT President Caitlin Sutherland, is to shine a light on a massive loophole in federal law that allows foreign entities to fund policy advocacy and election-related activities.

While federal law prohibits foreign entities from contributing directly to political campaigns and Super PACs, there are practically zero restrictions on foreign funding for policy advocacy and election-related activities. This loophole means foreign influence is shaping midterm elections via foreign-funded nonprofits, often without voters knowing it.

How is foreign money influencing Iowa elections?

Iowa has taken a stand against this practice. This year, Iowa and Nebraska both passed laws banning foreign funding in ballot measure campaigns, joining a growing movement of 11 states that have enacted such restrictions in the last two years. The new Iowa law makes it illegal for foreign entities to directly or indirectly fund ballot issue campaigns in the state.

However, the problem extends beyond ballot measures. Foreign money is flowing into organizations that register voters, run ads, and engage in issue advocacy that shapes the political landscape in Iowa and across the country. The ACLU Foundation, for example, has accepted nearly $19 million in foreign money and has already funneled millions into ballot issue campaigns in Missouri, in apparent violation of that state's new law. APT has filed complaints with the Missouri Attorney General.

Which organizations are taking foreign money?

The database reveals troubling connections, including to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Children's Investment Fund Foundation, a U.K.-based nonprofit chaired by British billionaire Christopher Hohn, is a registered NGO in China with its work overseen by CCP ministries. Over the past decade, it has funneled more than half a billion dollars into anti-American agendas, including attempts to stifle American energy production and funding climate litigation and protests.

Indivisible, the radical D.C.-based nonprofit known for organizing chaos at congressional town halls, has received $7.5 million from the Berger Action Fund, which steers the wealth of Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss into American politics. The group now leads nationwide protests and boasts plans to build its strongest election protection program ever for the 2026 midterms.

Major environmental groups pushing the left's green agenda have also accepted more than $1 billion in combined foreign grants. These include ClimateWorks, Nature Conservancy, Energy Foundation China, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, and League of Conservation Voters. These groups are using the money to register voters, sue the Trump administration, and engage in climate activism.

What is Congress doing to stop foreign money in elections?

Congress has taken a significant step forward. The U.S. House recently passed the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, which builds on state-level progress by banning foreign money in state and local ballot measures. The bill now awaits action in the Senate.

The House Administration and Ways and Means Committees have led the investigation into foreign funding and are advancing legislation to close the loopholes. APT is urging voters to call their senators and representatives to demand they pass the bill without delay.

What can Iowans do about foreign influence?

Voters can use the Follow Foreign Money database to research organizations active in their communities. The tool is free and searchable, allowing users to look up specific groups by name or browse by issue area. Iowans can also contact their elected officials to demand action on closing foreign influence loopholes.

APT has also filed complaints with state attorneys general where violations of new state laws are apparent. The organization plans to continue monitoring and exposing foreign money in American politics.

The bottom line: foreign money is influencing American elections, and most voters have no idea. With the midterms approaching, Iowans should know who is funding the organizations trying to shape their votes. The Follow Foreign Money database is a critical tool for transparency and accountability.

We've revealed the depth of the problem. It's long past time for our lawmakers to do something about it.