New Filings Reveal Millions Funneled by NEA to Far-Left Groups in Recent Years

New federal labor filings reveal that the National Education Association (NEA), one of the largest teachers unions in the United States, has allocated millions of dollars towards far-left activist organizations and social justice causes. The disclosure, submitted in November and obtained by the North American Values Institute, highlights extensive financial support linked to political and ideological initiatives.

According to the Form L-2 report for the NEA’s current fiscal year, the union distributed substantial funds to groups promoting progressive agendas. Notably, the NEA contributed around $300,000 to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a liberal dark money entity, and also allocated tens of thousands of dollars to the Tides Foundation network. The latter has been associated with far-left activism, including anti-Israel protests.

Major Financial Transfers and Political Campaigns

Among the largest monetary transfers was an amount exceeding $3.5 million sent to Education International, a global federation of teachers’ unions. NEA’s president Becky Pringle holds a vice presidency role within this organization. Additionally, hundreds of thousands were directed to groups supporting ballot measures in several states that seek to influence education policies and election regulations. These include efforts in Ohio, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Wisconsin.

The union invested $500,000 to back a campaign aimed at eliminating standardized testing in Massachusetts. Similarly, another $500,000 supported an amendment targeting gerrymandering in Ohio. Nearly $500,000 was also paid to a progressive political consulting firm specializing in ballot initiatives and canvassing.

Focus on Social Justice and Racial Equity Initiatives

Beyond electoral politics, the NEA spent over $166,000 on Imagine Us LLC, a consultancy firm dedicated to racial equity training. Additional funds flowed to organizations promoting "social justice education," including curriculum resources addressing race, gender identity, and activism for K-12 students. The union also contributed $350,000 to the Schott Foundation, which identifies as a BIPOC-led fund driving racial and educational justice movements.

These expenditures illustrate the union’s strategic emphasis on advancing social justice and progressive educational content. Mika Hackner, Director of Research at the North American Values Institute, criticized the approach, stating it prioritizes political agendas over the core needs of teachers. Hackner remarked, "Unions spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on pet political projects completely divorced from the needs and wants of most teachers but perfectly in line with the political agenda the union has been co-opted to serve."

Wider Criticism and NEA’s Political Advocacy

The NEA has faced ongoing scrutiny for its focus on political activism and far-left ideology. Previous reports have uncovered internal guidance from the union instructing members on gender transition processes in the workplace, alongside materials framing ideological opponents as "villains." Critics argue that these activities deviate from the NEA’s foundational mission to advance the teaching profession and promote education.

Erika Sanzi, senior director of communications at Defending Education, suggested revisiting the NEA’s federal charter, emphasizing that the union’s current trajectory contradicts its original purpose. Sanzi said, "Their federal charter was granted because they promised to ‘elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching; and to promote the cause of education in the United States.’ Seeing as their leadership has morphed into a far-left insane asylum that is actively destroying the cause of education, that charter is no longer defensible."

Attempts to obtain comment from the NEA on the recent funding releases went unanswered.

Summary of NEA’s Allocations to Far-Left and Progressive Causes:

1. $3.5 million+ to Education International
2. $300,000 to Sixteen Thirty Fund
3. Tens of thousands to Tides Foundation network
4. $500,000 to Massachusetts campaign against standardized testing
5. $500,000 to Ohio anti-gerrymandering amendment
6. Nearly $500,000 to a progressive political consulting firm
7. $166,000+ to Imagine Us LLC for racial equity training
8. $350,000 to the Schott Foundation

This financial transparency provides new insights into the NEA’s recent priorities, reflecting a blend of political activism and social justice education initiatives that continue to generate debate about the role of teachers’ unions in shaping education policy.