[APS] Who is funding newly-incorporated APE

Anonymous
https://sungazette.news/arlington-educational-advocacy-group-incorporates/
“An advocacy organization born of the fight to bring Arlington students back into classrooms has formalized its status as a lobbying group.

Arlington Parents for Education has incorporated under Section 501(c)(4) of the federal tax code, giving it tax-exempt status while allowing it to engage in limited political-advocacy efforts.”


Do they have to disclose donors under 501c4? Does this allow them to take dark money?

Is this turning into another case of astroturfing in Northern VA?
Anonymous
Yes to astroturf

Anonymous
More on the Republican astroturfing efforts:
https://www.cbs19news.com/story/44644661/tea-party-20-conservatives-get-organized-in-school-battles

”A loose network of conservative groups with ties to major Republican donors and party-aligned think tanks is quietly lending firepower to local activists engaged in culture war fights in schools across the country.

While they are drawn by the anger of parents opposed to school policies on racial history or COVID-19 protocols like mask mandates, the groups are often run by political operatives and lawyers standing ready to amplify local disputes.”



“The political tracking website Ballotpedia counts about 30 active school board recall efforts nationwide. Some are focused chiefly on disputes over anti-racism training and education in schools, often labeled critical race theory. Others were prompted by debates over school policies on transgender students and pandemic public health measures.

Local parent activists are quick to claim credit for that work, and the outside groups offering legal help, research, organizing tools and media training are often reluctant to discuss their role.”


“Among those is Parents Defending Education, an Arlington, Virginia-based group formed in January and dedicated to “fighting indoctrination in the classroom.” It provides templates for requesting public records, a guide to parent rights, organizing strategies and talking points.

Neily declined to name Parents Defending Education’s funding sources. As a tax-exempt organization, the group is not required to make its donors public. Neily has worked in senior positions for conservative groups including the Independent Women’s Forum and Cato Institute, according to the group's website.”



Is APE working with these groups?
Anonymous
They are setting themselves up in a way that will allow them to get donations and keep them hidden
Anonymous
What a desperate thread here. APE is funded by parents in Arlington.

There seems to be some major jealousy in Arlington with how well organized we are.
Anonymous
A reliable source tells me they rely on parent donations only. (Also, they have said as much on many occasions on AEM.)
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What a desperate thread here. APE is funded by parents in Arlington.

There seems to be some major jealousy in Arlington with how well organized we are.


Probably started by 1 of the 5 members of Smart Restart (Ventilation Woman, Lunch Petitioner or CO2 Monitor Woman).
Anonymous
Let me explain to you how non-profits work. People work to get a paycheck. They then decide who they'd like to give money to. Then they donate to them.

There you go!

Do you ask Habitat for Humanity or American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network or any other 501 c3 or c4 for their list of donors? 501 c 4's aren't even tax exempt so it's not like there is a benefit for donors.

If you disagree with APE advocacy, form your own group. That's the genius idea of freedom of opinion, thought and expression.

C4's nor C3's form to 'hide money' it's the mechanism the IRS uses to ensure donations are tracked and not misused. You sound like a Q conspiracy theorist.

Arlington schools are not so terribly important that some secret dark money web is funding a parent group to advocate for less ipad time are for smaller class sizes. The horror.
Anonymous
I think there are a nontrivial number of very loud parents in Arlington who just can't wrap their head around the idea of an organized group of parents who ALSO live in Arlington that don't agree with them 100%. Instead they only agree on something like 90% of the issues.
Anonymous
I don't understand why this keeps coming up. APE is funded by parent donations.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What a desperate thread here. APE is funded by parents in Arlington.

There seems to be some major jealousy in Arlington with how well organized we are.


Funded only by parents of children currently enrolled in Arlington schools?

I'm not jealous, but I am suspicious, because these seems like gathering of the most annoying, entitled white parents on AEM. Or possibly formerly on AEM; I don't keep up with it especially closely.
Anonymous
If other people are interested in APE's advocacy for stuff like more learning loss recovery stuff like tutors and want to donate their hard-earned money that would be great. But I highly doubt anyone other than APS parents care about that.

Very suspicious platform to be sure. Can you imagine if APS had MORE reading coaches? Yikes.
Anonymous
Here you go OP if you'd like donate! https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/donate
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What a desperate thread here. APE is funded by parents in Arlington.

There seems to be some major jealousy in Arlington with how well organized we are.


Funded only by parents of children currently enrolled in Arlington schools?

I'm not jealous, but I am suspicious, because these seems like gathering of the most annoying, entitled white parents on AEM. Or possibly formerly on AEM; I don't keep up with it especially closely.


This describes nearly everyone who posts regularly on AEM. Yes, some regulars are not white, but they are still annoying and entitled. That is true even if you happen to agree with them.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Here you go OP if you'd like donate! https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/donate


Please join our Facebook group too. We discuss analyses on many issues facing APS, and much of what we discuss makes it into current APS discussions in the community and media (e.g., enrollment, ARP funds, staffing with the virtual program, COVID testing and quarantine protocols, etc.).

From a social perspective, we have playdates and parties too.
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