You’ve probably seen the headlines. Project 2025 has become a massive flashpoint in American politics, a nearly 1,000-page "Mandate for Leadership" designed to overhaul the federal government. But while the talking points usually focus on policy shifts or the Heritage Foundation, there is a quieter conversation happening about the money and the corporate interests behind it. Honestly, finding a neat list of companies that support Project 2025 is harder than you’d think. Most major corporations are terrified of the PR nightmare that comes with being linked to such a polarizing document.
Instead of a simple "Sponsors" page, what we actually have is a web of dark money, advisory board members, and legacy donors.
The Heritage Foundation’s Funding Reality
To understand who backs this, you have to look at the Heritage Foundation itself. They are the primary architects. Historically, the foundation has been buoyed by massive grants from the Adolph Coors Foundation, which has poured millions into conservative causes over the decades. Then you have the Bradley Impact Fund, a heavy hitter in the world of donor-advised funds that has funneled hundreds of thousands toward Heritage’s operations.
It’s not just old-school beer money, though.
If you dig into the tax filings and disclosure reports, names like Bank of America Charitable Foundation and BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund pop up. Now, keep in mind, these are often "pass-through" donations. A wealthy client tells the bank to send their money to Heritage, and the bank’s name ends up on the paperwork. It’s a legal layer of separation that makes it kinda tricky to say the "company" supports the project versus just facilitating a client's wishes.
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The Advisory Board and the Tech Angle
The Project 2025 advisory board is made up of over 100 organizations. While many are think tanks like the Texas Public Policy Foundation or Alliance Defending Freedom, some have direct links to the business world.
Take Netafim, a global irrigation giant. One of their executives, Aubrey Bettencourt, was a contributor to the project's Department of the Interior chapter. This isn't just a side hobby; these contributors bring industry-specific agendas to the table. They want less regulation on land use and fewer hurdles for large-scale agricultural operations.
Then there is the tech industry. This is where it gets really messy.
- Palantir: Often associated with government contracts and surveillance, their leadership has long-standing ties to the architects of the "Mandate."
- Oracle: Larry Ellison has been a vocal supporter of the political movement that birthed Project 2025, specifically around themes of government efficiency and data centralization.
- The Crypto Space: Several authors of the project’s financial chapters have worked as lobbyists for Bitcoin companies. They’re pushing for a "hands-off" regulatory environment that would basically neuter the SEC’s power over digital assets.
The Companies That Support Project 2025 Through Policy
It’s a mistake to only look at who writes checks. You have to look at who benefits from the specific policy proposals. If a company's lobbyist helped write the chapter on the Department of Energy, do they "support" it?
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Most would say yes.
The project calls for a massive expansion of fossil fuel extraction and the dismantling of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Groups like the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) have historically funded the organizations within the Project 2025 coalition. For them, a world where the EPA's teeth are pulled is a very profitable world indeed.
Breaking Down the "Pay to Play" Accusations
There’s a theory floating around—and some experts have actually gone on record with this—that some of the inconsistencies in the 920-page document are deliberate. They’re basically "fundraising hooks." One section might suggest a specific tax break that benefits the shipping industry, while another proposes a deregulatory win for big pharma.
- Job Creators Network: This organization is a key partner in the project and represents a coalition of business owners.
- Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council: They’re in the mix too, pushing for the "flat tax" proposals mentioned in the mandate.
It's a "you scratch our back, we'll write your policy" situation that has been the backbone of Washington for years, just more formalized this time around.
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What This Means for Consumers
If you’re trying to vote with your wallet, it’s a minefield. Many of these companies operate through subsidiaries or trade groups. You might buy a product from a brand that seems totally neutral, not knowing their parent company’s foundation is cutting checks to the Leadership Institute (another major Project 2025 partner).
Honestly, the most direct corporate support isn't coming from consumer brands like Nike or Apple—they're too worried about Gen Z boycotts. It's coming from "unsexy" industries:
- Industrial manufacturing
- Private equity firms
- Large-scale agribusiness
- Specialized defense contractors
How to Track Corporate Involvement Moving Forward
If you want to stay informed about which companies that support Project 2025 are actually influencing policy, you need to look past the branding.
Check the OpenSecrets database for trade association donations. When the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)—a project partner—receives funding from a major telecom or pharma company, that’s a direct link to the policy pipeline. Also, keep an eye on the "Personnel Database." Project 2025 isn't just a book; it’s a LinkedIn-style database of 10,000 people ready to take over government jobs. See where those people are coming from. Many are jumping straight from C-suite roles in private companies into these policy-writing positions.
The reality is that corporate support for Project 2025 is often systemic rather than explicit. It's built into the way these companies lobby for lower taxes, fewer environmental rules, and a weaker federal workforce.
To take action or research further:
- Monitor Trade Association Memberships: Use tools like the revolving door tracker to see which companies are paying the groups that drafted the Mandate.
- Scrutinize PAC Contributions: Corporate PACs often give to the individual politicians who have endorsed the project’s goals, even if the company stays quiet about the project itself.
- Review ESG Disclosures: Many publicly traded companies are now required to disclose their political spending. Read the fine print in their annual reports to see where their "charitable" arms are sending money.