Shell Donated to Anti-Climate Groups

A foundation linked to Shell Oil has reportedly donated substantial sums to various conservative and religious organizations, many of which reject the notion of climate change as a pressing issue. Tax records indicate that among the recipients are groups like the American Family Association, which has labeled climate change initiatives as an "attack on God’s creation," and the Heritage Foundation, a key player in the controversial Project 2025 initiative. A spokesperson for Shell USA clarified that the donations stem from employee contributions, which the company matches up to $7,500. However, the foundation itself does not endorse any specific organizations, emphasizing that the decision to donate is personal and not directed by the company. Despite this, the majority of the non-profits receiving funds do not have overt political agendas. Since 2013, the Shell foundation has allocated over $59,000 to the American Family Association, which has been classified as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center due to its anti-LGBTQ+ stance. Other notable donations include $23,321 to the Heritage Foundation and $58,002 to Alliance Defending Freedom, both of which are associated with Project 2025. Additionally, the foundation contributed $105,748 to Hillsdale College, a conservative institution known for hosting climate skeptics. Other recipients of Shell's donations include various organizations linked to Project 2025, as well as religious right groups like Focus on the Family, which has dismissed climate change as an "unproven theory." Requests for comments from the organizations involved have gone unanswered.