Fidelity Charitable Faces Scrutiny Over Funding of Groups Accused of Discrimination
Fidelity Charitable, the largest independent charitable fund in the United States, has arrive under fire for facilitating donations to organizations that critics allege promote hate and discrimination. While Fidelity Charitable allows donors to support a wide range of causes, concerns have been raised about funds flowing to groups accused of anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Donations to Controversial Organizations
According to a 2019 CBS News report, Fidelity Charitable’s donor-advised fund granted over $330,000 over two years to the Family Research Council (FRC). The FRC’s leader, Tony Perkins, has made statements deemed hostile towards the LGBTQ+ community, describing homosexuality as “objectively harmful.” The fund also provided $11,600 to the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), an organization labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in 2017. The SPLC documented over 2,000 instances of the CIS circulating writings from white nationalists and antisemitic authors. The CIS was also identified as a source of information for Stephen Miller, a top immigration advisor to former President Donald Trump.
Criticism and Concerns
Heidi Beirich of the SPLC expressed concern that Fidelity Charitable was enabling the funding of groups that “legitimize discrimination and feed violence against the LGBT or immigrant communities.” While Fidelity Charitable maintains it follows the wishes of its donors, critics argue the company has a responsibility to prevent funds from supporting discriminatory organizations. A spokesperson for the Family Research Council dismissed the SPLC as “corrupt” and unreliable.
Broader Concerns Regarding Anti-Muslim Discrimination
Concerns extend beyond the FRC and CIS. A 2023 white paper highlighted instances of alleged religious discrimination, including a consumer complaint alleging religious discrimination by Fidelity Charitable. Reports from organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) document a pattern of discrimination and oppression against Muslims, contributing to a distorted understanding of Islam and Muslims.
Islamophobia Reports
CAIR’s 2021 report, “Singled Out: Islamophobia in the Classroom and the Impact of Discrimination of Muslim Students,” details the discrimination faced by Muslim students. Earlier reports, such as the 2019 “Hijacked by Hate” report, highlighted the widespread nature of anti-Muslim bigotry in American culture and politics.
Fidelity Charitable’s Position
Fidelity Charitable has not directly addressed the specific criticisms regarding its funding of these organizations, but generally states it allows donors to choose the charities they wish to support, within legal guidelines.
Key Takeaways
- Fidelity Charitable has been criticized for allowing donations to organizations accused of promoting hate and discrimination.
- The Family Research Council and the Center for Immigration Studies are among the groups receiving funds through Fidelity Charitable’s donor-advised fund.
- Critics argue Fidelity Charitable should take greater responsibility for vetting the organizations its donors support.
- Reports indicate a broader pattern of anti-Muslim discrimination and Islamophobia in the United States.
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