How Revenue is Spent at Turning Point USA (2023)

Turning Point USA is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) 3 that advocates conservative principles on high school, college, and university campuses and in convention centers that focus on attracting high schoolers, college students, and young adults ages 15-25 who they often refer to as activists.

Established in 2012 by Charles Kirk, the President, Turning Point USA has three (3) related tax exempt organizations:

• Turning Point Endowment, Inc.:  a 501 (c) 3 described as a “supporting org to Turning Point USA”
• America’s Turning Point, Inc:  a 501 (c) 3  described as “education of students”
• Turning Point Action, Inc.:  a 501 (c) 4  described as “education of students” where contributions are not tax deductible

Turning Point USA is overseen by 5 voting members (directors) of the governing body, 4 of whom are independent. All directors are male.

Total revenue in 2023 was reported to be $82 million (compared to $81 million in 2022, $56 million in 2021, $40 million in 2020 and $29 million in 2019), most of which came from  contributions, gifts, and grants ($81 million). $1 million came from conference and seminar fees.

Fundraisers (primarily Cloverstone Ventures of Wilmington, DE, American Philanthropic of West Chester, PA, and Blue Mountain Strategies of Dover, DE) raised $42 million for Turning Point USA but retained $3 million, netting Turning Point USA $39 million (or 48% of total revenue raised).

Expenses were reported to be $91 million but $5 million included a “grant” and assistance to an affiliated organization:  America’s Turning Point (which operates out of the same office as Turning Point USA).

The $91 million in expenses can be categorized as follows:

• $29 million (35% of revenue):  Travel and Conventions (including first class or charter travel)
• $20 million (24% of revenue):  Compensation
• $18 million (22% of revenue):  Printing, Publications, Videos, Digital
• $ 6 million (7% of revenue):  Grants (primarily to 1 affiliated organization)
• $10 million (12% of revenue):  Advertising and Promotion
• $ 4 million (5% of revenue):  Fees for Services (i.e. primarily lobbying and fundraising)
• $ 4 million (5% of revenue):  Office-Related Expenses

Based on the above information, every $100 in revenue was spent as follows:

$100:  Revenue

-$ 35:  Travel and Conventions (including first class or charter travel)

-$ 24:  Compensation

-$ 22:  Printing, Publications, Videos, Digital

-$ 12:  Advertising and Promotion

-$  5:  Office-Related Expenses

-$  5:  Fees for Services

-$103: Subtotal:  Organization Expenses

-$   3:  Remaining Revenue

-$  7:  Grants (Primarily to America’s Turning Point

-$110:  Remaining Revenue

The above information reveals that Turning Point USA is primarily engaged in convention center events with speakers brought in to address the “activist” 15-25 year olds, with most of the expenses listed above tied to these events either directly or indirectly:

• $69 out of every $100 was spent on travel, conventions, printing, pub, videos, digital and advertising;
• $34 out of every $100 was spent on compensating staff, office expenses, and fees; and
• $7 out of every $100 was “granted”  – primarily to a related organization.

Turning Point USA started the year with nearly $24 million in net assets but because the organization spent nearly $10 million more than they raised, net assets were $14 million at year-end.

681 employees (compared to 709 in 2022,  457 in 2021, 425 in 2020, and 272 in 2019) received $20 million in compensation.

The bottom line is that Turning Point USA is a tax-exempt non-profit organization that primarily engages in conducting conventions targeting 15-25 year olds to hear speakers that support a conservative agenda.

So, if you donated $100, your $100 was primarily spent on organization expenses ($34) and travel (including first class or charter travel), conventions and materials ($69) to indoctrinate young people to what 9 men (5 male directors and 5 highly compensated males – one of whom is a director – running the organization) think others should believe.

$7 out of your $100 was “granted” to a related organization.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2022 for the year ending June 30, 2023), click here.