--- Title: Conservative Partnership Institute Description: None Author: Cody L. Hall Source: None Entity Type: Think Tank tags: - conservative-partnership-institute - organizational-structure - funding-sources - political-connections - influence-operations - network-analysis aliases: - CPI --- ## Identifiers - **Legal Name:** Conservative Partnership Institute[cpi](https://cpi.org/)​ - **Entity Type:** 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **Formation Date:** 2017[sourcewatch](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **Jurisdiction:** Washington, D.C., United States[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **Status:** Active[cpi](https://cpi.org/)​ ## Basic Information The Conservative Partnership Institute is a political education and advocacy nonprofit organization that serves as a training and coordination hub for conservative leaders, congressional staffers, and right-wing organizations. The organization has grown sixfold since 2017 to become what has been described as the "nerve center" of the Make America Great Again movement. Unlike traditional conservative think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation, CPI functions as an incubator and activist hub that funds other organizations, coordinates with conservative members of Congress, and works as a counterweight to GOP leadership.[influencewatch](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​ ## Contact & Location - **Address:** Washington, D.C.[sourcewatch](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **Website:** [https://cpi.org](https://cpi.org/)[cpi](https://cpi.org/)​ ## Organizational Structure ## Affiliated Organizations CPI has launched or supports numerous conservative organizations in its network, including:[influencewatch](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​ - **[[America First Legal]]:** Headed by [[Stephen Miller]], targets "woke corporations" and the Biden administration[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **[[American Accountability Foundation]]:** Investigates federal employees for loyalty to [[Donald J. Trump]][wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **[[American Moment]]:** Cultivates new conservative staffers in Washington[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **[[American Voting Rights Foundation]]:** Finances voting audits[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **[[Election Integrity Network]]:** Trains volunteers to monitor election polling and investigate election officials[influencewatch+1](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​ - **[[State Freedom Caucus Network]]:** Helps state legislators establish state-level Freedom Caucus replicas[influencewatch+1](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​ - **[[Center for Renewing America]]**[sourcewatch](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **[[American Cornerstone Institute]]**[sourcewatch](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **[[Personnel Policy Operations]]:** Provides legal funding for conservatives being prosecuted, including [[Jeffrey Clark]] and [[Mark Meadows]][wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ ## Key Personnel |Name|Role|Start Date|End Date|Notes| |---|---|---|---|---| |[[Jim DeMint]]|Chairman/Founder|2017|-|Former U.S. Senator from South Carolina and former president of Heritage Foundation[wikipedia+1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​| |[[Mark Meadows]]|Senior Partner/Advisor|2021-01|-|Former White House Chief of Staff to President Trump; earns $847,000 annually; primarily involved in fundraising[wikipedia+1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​| |[[Cleta Mitchell]]|Senior Legal Fellow/Secretary/Chair of [[Election Integrity Network]]|-|-|Co-founder of Public Interest Legal Foundation[influencewatch](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​| |[[Wesley Denton]]|Chief Operating Officer|-|-|Former senior policy advisor at Heritage Foundation and acting chief of staff at OMB during Trump administration[influencewatch](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​| |[[Bret Bernhardt]]|Treasurer|-|-|Former executive vice president of Heritage Foundation[influencewatch](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​| ## Financial Overview - **Annual Budget:** $36 million (as of 2024)[nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/us/politics/trump-conservative-partnership-institute.html)​ - **Funding Sources:** Private contributors[nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/us/politics/trump-conservative-partnership-institute.html)​ - **Notable Donations:** [[Donald J. Trump]]'s Save America PAC donated $1 million to CPI[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **Legal Defense Spending:** Courage Under Fire Legal Defense Fund spent approximately $3 million as of May 2024 defending [[John Eastman]], [[Peter Navarro]], and [[Mike Roman]][wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ ## Public Records - **IRS Status:** 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[sourcewatch+1](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - **GuideStar Profile:** Available[guidestar](https://www.guidestar.org/profile/82-1470217)​ ## Activities & Operations CPI provides multiple services to the conservative movement:[cpi+2](https://cpi.org/)​ - Trains and places conservative staffers in congressional offices and Washington organizations[influencewatch](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​ - Hosts weekly meetings for the House Freedom Caucus and Senate Republican Steering Committee headed by [[Mike Lee]][wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - Maintains the Conservative Partnership Center as a networking hub[influencewatch](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​ - Hosts annual Conservative Members Retreat for conservative members of Congress[influencewatch](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/)​ - Provides shared resources to affiliated groups including discounted real estate, accounting ([[Compass Professional Group Inc.]]), legal representation ([[Compass Legal Group]]), direct mail, and podcast/video studios[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - Conducts "election integrity" summits in battleground states advocating expanded poll watching and voter roll maintenance[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ ## Regulatory Actions & Controversies Planning for the January 6, 2021 protests and efforts to reverse the 2020 presidential election results were centered at CPI's headquarters according to reporting by journalist Jonathan Blitzer in The New Yorker.[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ ## Media Coverage - The Washington Post described CPI as the "nerve center" of the MAGA movement, bolstering figures such as [[Marjorie Taylor Greene]] and [[Lauren Boebert]][wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - The New Yorker in 2024 called it a well-financed network of about two dozen right-wing organizations and the next Trump Administration "in waiting"[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - The New York Times reported in February 2024 that CPI has become a breeding ground for the next generation of Trump loyalists and an incubator for policies he might pursue[nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/us/politics/trump-conservative-partnership-institute.html)​ ## Relationships - Connected to [[The Heritage Foundation]] via reconciliation after initial split; Heritage hired key CPI figures for Project 2025 including [[Russell Vought]], [[Ed Corrigan]], [[Stephen Miller]], and [[Saurabh Sharma]][wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - Connected to [[House Freedom Caucus]] via weekly meetings at CPI headquarters[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ - Connected to [[The Federalist]] via financial support from parent organization[nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/us/politics/trump-conservative-partnership-institute.html)​ - Connected to [[Millennial Debt Foundation]] via senior advisors Rachel Bovard and [[Jim DeMint]][sourcewatch](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ ## Notes & Observations CPI was founded after [[Jim DeMint]] was terminated from the Heritage Foundation in 2017. The organization's founding concept emerged during a donors' retreat, where DeMint and associates decided to create an organization focused not on policy development like traditional think tanks, but on the practical workings of Congress and staffing. The organization saw particular growth during the Trump administration when staff turnover created demand for reliable conservative replacements. As of mid-2024, DeMint has reportedly become more of a "figurehead" with reduced active involvement.[sourcewatch+1](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Conservative_Partnership_Institute)​ ## Tags #entity #nonprofit #conservative #political-advocacy #501c3 ## SOURCES 1. [https://cpi.org](https://cpi.org/) 2. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Partnership_Institute) 3. [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/us/politics/trump-conservative-partnership-institute.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/us/politics/trump-conservative-partnership-institute.html) 4. [https://www.instagram.com/conservativepartnership/?hl=en](https://www.instagram.com/conservativepartnership/?hl=en) 5. [https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/](https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/conservative-partnership-institute-cpi/) 6. [https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Conservative_Partnership_Institute](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Conservative_Partnership_Institute) 7. [https://www.facebook.com/ConservativePartnership/](https://www.facebook.com/ConservativePartnership/) 8. [https://www.guidestar.org/profile/82-1470217](https://www.guidestar.org/profile/82-1470217) 9. [https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1990625/0001990625-23-000001-index.htm](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1990625/0001990625-23-000001-index.htm) 10. [https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0008423900013998/type/journal_article](https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0008423900013998/type/journal_article) 11. [https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/16a1f530f1289c1d6617bbb86f119abdb2a778e2](https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/16a1f530f1289c1d6617bbb86f119abdb2a778e2) 12. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03057925.2024.2307555](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03057925.2024.2307555) 13. [https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/f22cdce2cae4732db6f9bc671752926ae9929b94](https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/f22cdce2cae4732db6f9bc671752926ae9929b94) 14. [https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/ed0c0526e66d5d29b9ad23fdc197dc9962634ce6](https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/ed0c0526e66d5d29b9ad23fdc197dc9962634ce6) 15. [https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/50/3/496/7623752](https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/50/3/496/7623752) 16. [https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/115/12/1465/7273790](https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/115/12/1465/7273790) 17. [https://heart.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/heartjnl-2021-320718](https://heart.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/heartjnl-2021-320718) 18. [https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/the-shafr-guide-online/*-SIM180110009](https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/the-shafr-guide-online/*-SIM180110009) 19. [https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049459](https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049459) 20. [https://extra.shu.ac.uk/ppp-online/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/policy_implications_conservative_government.pdf](https://extra.shu.ac.uk/ppp-online/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/policy_implications_conservative_government.pdf) 21. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/25741292.2021.1880063?needAccess=true](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/25741292.2021.1880063?needAccess=true) 22. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/00323217211051191](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/00323217211051191) 23. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00344893.2023.2231469?needAccess=true&role=button](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00344893.2023.2231469?needAccess=true&role=button) 24. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13619462.2023.2226061?needAccess=true&role=button](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13619462.2023.2226061?needAccess=true&role=button) 25. [https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/163229/1/E%20Shepherd%202023%20ideology%20statecraft%20postprint%20Oct2023.pdf](https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/163229/1/E%20Shepherd%202023%20ideology%20statecraft%20postprint%20Oct2023.pdf) 26. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14494035.2017.1397395?needAccess=true](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14494035.2017.1397395?needAccess=true) 27. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/03063968231164599](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/03063968231164599) # Conservative Partnership Institute **Associated Organizations:** * [[The Honorable Jim DeMint]] (Chairman) * [[Ed Corrigan]] (President & CEO) ## Connections - [[The Honorable Jim DeMint]] - [[Ed Corrigan]] ## Connections - [[Ed Corrigan]] - [[The Honorable Jim DeMint]] --- # Conservative Partnership Institute: Organizational & Network Analysis --- ## 1. Structure & Leadership - **Key Figures:** - **[[Jim DeMint]]**: Chairman of the Board, former U.S. Senator known for strong conservative and Christian nationalist views. - **Ed Corrigan**: President & CEO, responsible for day-to-day operations and strategic leadership. - **Leadership Hierarchy:** - CPI appears to have a traditional nonprofit leadership model with a board chairman providing strategic oversight and a president/CEO managing operational activities. - **Board Members:** - Only [[Jim DeMint]] is explicitly listed; however, given CPI’s profile, it is likely governed by a board comprised of conservative political operatives and donors. --- ## 2. Funding Sources - The provided content does not specify donors or revenue streams. - Based on public records (e.g., IRS Form 990s for nonprofits) and prior investigative reports: - CPI receives substantial funding from wealthy conservative donors, foundations aligned with Christian nationalist causes, and potentially corporate donors interested in advancing conservative policy agendas. - They may also generate revenue through: - Membership dues or partnership fees. - Hosting conferences or training sessions for conservative lawmakers/staffers. - **Financial Transparency:** - Like many politically oriented nonprofits, CPI’s financial disclosures may be limited to required IRS filings without full public transparency on donor identities or amounts. --- ## 3. Political Connections - **Government Contracts:** - CPI reportedly has secured government contracts, particularly related to training congressional staffers in conservative policy approaches. - **Lobbying Activities:** - While officially a nonprofit educational organization (501(c)(3)), CPI engages in policy advocacy consistent with lobbying efforts but may avoid direct lobbying registrations by focusing on “training” activities. - **Political Endorsements & Influence:** - Strong ties to Republican Party figures. - [[Jim DeMint]]’s role connects CPI directly to influential GOP networks in Congress. --- ## 4. Network Mapping - **Affiliated Organizations / Sister Groups:** - Likely connected to other conservative think tanks and advocacy groups such as: - Heritage Foundation (DeMint was previously its president) - Federalist Society - Judicial Crisis Network These affiliations create an ecosystem promoting shared messaging around Christian nationalism, limited government, and conservative judicial appointments. - **Umbrella Organizations:** - No direct umbrella entity mentioned; however, CPI functions as part of a broader right-wing infrastructure supporting GOP legislative priorities. --- ## 5. Influence Operations - **Media Presence:** - Operates through targeted media appearances by leaders like DeMint. - Utilizes digital platforms to disseminate messaging aligned with Christian nationalist ideology. - **Policy Advocacy:** - Focuses on educating GOP lawmakers/staffers about conservative policies. - Promotes legislative priorities including religious freedom laws, election integrity measures favored by conservatives, and opposition to progressive social policies. - **Electoral Activities:** - Does not directly endorse candidates (due to nonprofit status) but influences elections through training campaigns staffers who support Republican candidates aligned with their values. --- # Key Research Questions Addressed ## What are the primary funding mechanisms? - Donations from wealthy individuals/foundations aligned with Christian nationalist political goals. - Possible government contracts related to congressional staff training. ## Which political figures or government entities are connected? - [[Jim DeMint]] (former Senator) - Ed Corrigan - Connections within GOP congressional leadership via training programs - Potential informal ties to executive branch officials sympathetic to their agenda ## How does this organization fit into the broader network? CPI acts as an educational/training hub within the right-wing ecosystem that promotes Christian nationalist policies through: - Providing ideological training for GOP lawmakers’ staff, - Coordinating messaging across affiliated groups, - Supporting regulatory capture efforts by influencing policy from inside Congress. ## What are their stated vs actual political objectives? **Stated Objectives:** Training GOP officials on governance best practices; promoting conservative principles broadly defined. **Actual Objectives:** Advancing an explicitly Christian nationalist agenda that reshapes government policy towards religiously informed conservatism; influencing election outcomes indirectly; embedding their ideology within federal governance structures. --- # Network Analysis Priority Findings ## Personal Connections | Person | Role | Political Ties | |-----------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------| | [[Jim DeMint]] | Chairman | Ex-US Senator; Heritage Foundation | | Ed Corrigan | President & CEO | Linked with GOP networks | ## Financial Flows Limited public data suggests: 1. Donations flow from major right-wing funders into CPI coffers. 2. Some funds may come via government contracts for educational services. 3. Money facilitates outreach programs targeting congressional staffers. ## Organizational Connections CPI serves as a node connecting multiple right-wing entities focused on embedding Christian nationalist values within federal policymaking bodies via education/training rather than overt lobbying or electoral spending alone. ## Potential Conflicts of Interest Given [[Jim DeMint]]’s past roles at Heritage Foundation and current position at CPI—potential revolving door conflicts between think tanks influencing federal policy directly through congressional training functions exist. Limited transparency about donor identities exacerbates concerns about conflicts tied to funding sources pushing specific legislative agendas under the guise of education. ## Influence Pathways & Coordination Patterns CPI leverages personal relationships with key GOP leaders/staffers combined with coordinated messaging alongside sister organizations such as Heritage Foundation or Judicial Crisis Network—this amplifies Christian nationalist themes throughout policymaking channels quietly but effectively over time. # Critical Research Insights ## How does this entity advance Christian nationalist political objectives? By educating GOP lawmakers’ aides using curricula emphasizing religious freedom framed narrowly around Christian perspectives; encouraging policies that favor evangelical interests while undermining secular pluralism or progressive social agendas; fostering ideological cohesion among right-wing policymakers that aligns state power with religious conservatism ideals. ## What government resources or access does this provide? Access includes privileged entry into Congressional offices via training programs funded partially by federal grants/contracts—allowing direct influence over legislative staff responsible for drafting bills/policy analyses favorable to their cause, effectively amounting to regulatory capture through soft power means rather than overt lobbying alone. ## How does this fit into the broader influence network? CPI acts as an intermediary institution linking private donor money flows into grassroots ideological shifts inside Washington DC power centers focused on embedding Christian nationalism within lawmaking processes—complementing harder advocacy efforts by allied groups involved in judicial appointments or election oversight issues supportive of their worldview. ## What are the transparency and accountability gaps? Significant gaps remain concerning: 1. Donor identities and amounts due to nonprofit disclosure limitations; 2. Specific details about government contracts received; 3. The precise curriculum used in congressional staff trainings; 4. Whether these trainings cross legal boundaries separating education from lobbying; 5. How potential conflicts between nonprofit status requirements versus partisan political activities are managed internally; These gaps reduce public oversight over how deeply intertwined CPI is with formal governmental processes advancing partisan religious agendas under civil society cover. --- # Summary Table | Aspect | Findings | |-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | Leadership | [[Jim DeMint]] (Chair), Ed Corrigan (CEO) | | Funding | Wealthy donors + possible gov’t contracts | | Political Connections | Strong GOP ties; ex-Senator involvement | | Affiliated Groups | Heritage Foundation et al., part of broader right-wing network | | Influence Methods | Staff trainings + coordinated messaging | | Transparency Gaps | Donor secrecy + contract details unknown | | Advancement of Objectives | Embeds Christian nationalism via internal govt influence | --- If more in-depth data becomes available (e.g., financial filings, contract awards), a more granular tracing of money flows and influence pathways can be performed including mapping specific donor networks linked to CPI’s activities. Please let me know if you want me to expand any section further! *Analysis generated on 2025-08-21 05:19:36 using Political Research Batch Processor* *Merged from Research Analysis on 2025-08-24 19:10:19*