News Release

Austin, TX: : Texans for Public Justice (TPJ) announced today that it received a $50,000 grant from the Arca Foundation.  The grant is to support TPJ’s ongoing research program into the role that private money and corporate power play in influencing public policy in Texas. TPJ has received  $225,000 in total grant funds from the Arca Foundation.

 “It is rewarding to know that respected philanthropic institutions such as the Arca Foundation are investing in TPJ’s research and reform work. We are grateful,” said Craig McDonald, director of the non-partisan, research and advocacy organization.  “We are encouraged that foundations such as Arca believe there is some glimmer of hope that change is possible even in Texas.”

The Arca Foundation, based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1952 by R.J. Reynolds tobacco heiress Nancy Susan Reynolds.  Arca’s grantmaking has always focused on empowering citizens to help shape public policy.  In recent years the foundation has focused on U.S. foreign policy towards Central America and Cuba and the need to curb corporate domination of domestic politics through fundamental campaign finance reform.

TPJ relies upon foundation grants for most of its funding.  In 2001, the group raised approximately $275,000 from foundation grants. This amount covers 85 percent of its $325,000 annual operating budget. TPJ receives no corporate or government funding.  TPJ also receives financial support from approximately 1,000 individual Texas donors.

The following foundations support Texans for Public Justice research and advocacy projects:

• Alliance For Better Campaigns, Washington, DC  [Pew Charitable Trusts supports ABC]
• Arca Foundation, Washington, D.C
• Deer Creek Foundation, St. Louis, MO
• Magnolia Charitable Trust, Houston, TX
• National Association for Public Interest Law (NAPIL), Washington, D.C
• The Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation), New York, NY
• The Ottinger Foundation, New York, NY
• The Piper Fund, Amherst, MA
• Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund, Los Angeles, CA
• Rockefeller Family Fund, New York, NY
• The Solidago Foundation, Northampton, MA
• The Stern Family Fund, Arlington, VA
• Margaret Cullinan Wray Charitable Trust, Houston, TX

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