A quiet shift occurred within the world of philanthropy, as an organization once known as Open Philanthropy, now rebranded as Coefficient Giving, faced scrutiny. For years, it had been channeling substantial funds – millions of dollars – into a network of groups advocating for radical changes to the American justice system.
The organization’s giving patterns revealed a clear leaning towards progressive causes. Groups actively working to defund the police, abolish ICE, and overhaul traditional criminal justice practices were consistently favored. This funding wasn’t widely publicized, operating largely under the radar until recently.
Among the recipients was JustLeadershipUSA, a group that draws stark parallels between the modern criminal justice system and the institution of slavery. Color of Change, a vocal proponent of defunding police departments, also received significant support. These weren’t isolated instances.
People’s Action, which has asserted that law enforcement engages in a “war against Black people,” and Fair and Just Prosecution, advocating for the elimination of cash bail, were also beneficiaries. The scope of the funding painted a picture of a deliberate strategy to reshape the landscape of justice and law enforcement.
The Free Migration Project, openly calling for the complete abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, received funds, as did the National Bail Fund Network, which assisted protesters during the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Following the death of activist Renee Good, the Free Migration Project unequivocally stated that ICE and Border Patrol could not be reformed – only abolished.
Critics argue these donations actively undermine public safety. Curtis Schube, director of research at the Center to Advance Security in America, contends the organization “quietly funds all kinds of radical projects,” ultimately harming the communities they claim to support. He believes these actions are the antithesis of genuine social welfare.
The Alliance for Safety and Justice emerged as the largest recipient, receiving $11.75 million between 2016 and 2018. This organization champions replacing incarceration with community-based safety initiatives and trauma recovery services, a significant departure from traditional punitive measures.
JustLeadershipUSA received $4.44 million, with its president previously framing defunding the police as a necessary “divestment from law and order” and a reinvestment in thriving communities. The organization’s website explicitly describes the carceral system as a modern-day extension of slavery, designed to subjugate those within its grasp.
Coefficient Giving maintains its donations were intended to “improve public safety, reduce government spending, and keep families together.” However, the organization ceased these specific types of donations in 2021, coinciding with a significant rebranding and the creation of a separate entity, Just Impact.
The organization’s website reveals a deep-seated belief that the criminal legal system is inherently oppressive, disproportionately impacting Black, Brown, and impoverished communities. This perspective fueled their support for groups actively seeking to dismantle existing structures.
Color of Change, receiving $3.26 million, actively campaigned for drastic police budget cuts, advocating for a $1 billion reduction in New York City’s police funding. They also pushed for the permanent banning of a former president from a major social media platform.
People’s Action, with $1.93 million in funding, endorsed the Movement for Black Lives, an explicitly anti-capitalist group, and called for an end to what they described as a “war against Black people,” demanding the severing of ties between police and public institutions.
Fair And Just Prosecution, receiving $3 million, focused on training newly elected prosecutors to prioritize equity and compassion over traditional incarceration-driven practices, celebrating the elimination of cash bail in Illinois as a landmark achievement.
The National Bail Fund Network, seeded with $404,800, experienced a surge in donations following the 2020 protests, though reports later surfaced indicating some defendants released on bail went on to commit further crimes.
Even as the bulk of funding flowed to progressive groups, Coefficient Giving also provided $612,000 to the American Conservative Union, demonstrating a complex and, to some, contradictory funding strategy. This funding supported the Union’s Center for Criminal Justice Reform.
In 2021, the organization restructured, spinning off its criminal justice reform program into Just Impact, providing $50 million in seed funding. Coefficient Giving now emphasizes its broader goals of improving public safety and reducing government spending, while distancing itself from the more controversial aspects of its past funding.
The story highlights a powerful, yet largely unseen, influence shaping the debate around criminal justice reform. It raises critical questions about the role of philanthropy in driving social and political change, and the potential consequences of funding radical agendas.
