Nonprofits Backed by Swiss Billionaire Steer Funds Into Democrat Causes: Report

Tax documents show that nonprofits backed by Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss have been using his funds to support American politics and policy. One such organization is the Berger Action Fund, which collaborates with the Wyss Foundation, a charitable foundation set up by Wyss himself in 1998, to provide “philanthropic support” to organizations advocating for solutions to the “climate crises, income inequality, and health disparities.” Wyss, who lives in Wyoming, has an estimated fortune of $5.1 billion from the sale of his medical device company, Synthes USA, to Johnson & Johnson for $20.2 billion in 2012. However, as a foreign national, he is not allowed to donate to candidates or political committees in the United States.

Despite this, The Associated Press reports that the Berger Action Fund’s donations, funded by Wyss, rose to $72 million in 2021, with $62.7 million going to the Sixteen Thirty Fund and the New Venture Fund – two groups affiliated with Democrats. The groups paid for TV commercials promoting President Joe Biden’s political agenda and supporting Democratic congressional candidates like Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H) in the lead-up to last year’s midterm elections.

Overall, the Berger Action Fund has donated $339 million to leftist nonprofits since 2016, according to records.

Focus on Climate Agenda and Election Commercials

The Berger Action Fund is not obligated to reveal details of its spending or disclose its donors. Nonetheless, a spokesperson for the Berger Action Fund and Wyss Foundation stated that the organizations “are committed to complying with all rules governing their activities and have established strict policies prohibiting their funds from being used for get-out-the-vote activities, voter registration, or supporting or opposing political candidates or parties.” The spokesperson also said that donations to the Sixteen Thirty Fund and New Venture Fund supported advocacy around clean energy and health care accessibility, as well as investments in climate and green infrastructure, and were unrelated to supporting political candidates or parties. 

According to The Associated Press, since 2016, Wyss’ groups have donated a combined $245 million to the Sixteen Thirty Fund and New Venture Fund.

Additional Donations

The Sixteen Thirty Fund provides “operational support” to “changemakers,” who then have the option of funding political committees or nonprofits that give money to political committees, according to tax filings and campaign finance disclosures viewed by The Associated Press. Meanwhile, the New Venture Fund was created as a response to the demand from leading philanthropists for a “cost-effective, efficient, and time-saving” platform to launch public interest projects. Both organizations were established by Eric Kessler, a former Clinton administration official, over a decade ago.

“Nearly all of the donations we receive are intended for specific projects or purposes; many donations cannot be used for electoral activities; and every contribution is used in compliance with all guidelines, regulations, and laws,” Amy Kurtz, President of the Sixteen Thirty Fund, said.

New Venture Fund President Lee Bodner added, “Like