How Revenue is Spent at Turning Point USA (2024)

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 the late Charles Kirk, 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 2024 was reported to be $85 million (compared to $82 million in 2023, $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 ($84 million). $1 million came from conference and seminar fees.

Fundraisers (primarily Cloverstone Ventures of Wilmington, DE, American Philanthropic of West Chester, PA, Active Engagement of Leesburg, ,VA, and Blue Mountain Strategies of Dover, DE) raised $37 million for Turning Point USA but retained $1.5 million, netting Turning Point USA $36 million (or 42% of total revenue raised).

Expenses were reported to be $81 million but $13 million in grants included $10 million in grants and assistance to two affiliated organizations:  America’s Turning Point and Turning Point Endowment, both of which operate out of the same office as Turning Point USA.

The $81 million in expenses can be categorized as follows:

• $21 million (25% of revenue):  Travel and Conventions (including first class or charter travel)
• $21 million (25% of revenue):  Compensation
• $ 9 million (10% of revenue):  Printing, Publications, Videos, Digital
• $13 million (15% of revenue):  Grants (primarily to 2 affiliated organizations)
• $ 7 million (8% of revenue):  Advertising and Promotion
• $ 4 million (5% of revenue):  Fees for Services (i.e. primarily lobbying and fundraising)
• $ 6 million (7% of revenue):  Office-Related Expenses

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

$100:  Revenue

-$ 25:  Travel and Conventions (including first class or charter travel)

-$ 25:  Compensation

-$ 10:  Printing, Publications, Videos, Digital

-$  8:  Advertising and Promotion

-$  7:  Office-Related Expenses

-$  5:  Fees for Services

-$ 80: Subtotal:  Organization Expenses

 $ 20:  Remaining Revenue

-$ 15:  Grants (Primarily to America’s Turning Point

 $ 5:  Remaining Revenue:  To Genera Fund

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:

• $43 out of every $100 was spent on travel, conventions, printing, pub, videos, digital and advertising;
• $37 out of every $100 was spent on compensating staff, office expenses, and fees; and
• $15 out of every $100 was “granted”  – primarily to related organizations.

Turning Point USA started the year with $14 million in net assets and ended the year with $17 million in net assets because the organization spent $4 million less than the revenue they received.

454 employees (compared to 681 in 2023, 709 in 2022,  457 in 2021, 425 in 2020, and 272 in 2019) received $21 million in compensation (an average of $46,000)

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 ($37) and travel (including first class or charter travel), conventions and materials ($43) to indoctrinate young people to what 9 men (5 male directors and 5 highly compensated males, one (Charlie Kirk who was both a director and President, running the organization) think others should believe.

$13 out of your $100 was “granted” although $10 of the $13 million was to two affiliated organizations.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2024 for the year ending June 30, 2025), click here.