Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

The Freedom Foundation of Minnesota (FFM) is a state-based think tank and member of the State Policy Network. The Freedom Foundation describes itself as "an independent, non-profit educational and research organization that actively advocates the principles of individual freedom, personal responsibility, economic freedom, and limited government." Annette Meeks, former Deputy Chief of Staff for House Speaker Newt Gingrich, founded FFM in 2006 and currently serves as CEO.

Global Warming
In 2009 the foundation was a co-sponsor of the Heartland Institute's 2009 conference for climate change skeptics.

Ties to Redistricting Efforts
A report from the Alliance for a Better Minnesota cited stories from Minnesota Public Radio and Slate magazine indicating that FFM had ties to Minnesotans for Fair Redistricting. The group is a supposedly independent group working to redistrict Minnesota, but has known Republican bias. Although officially FFM denies any involvement with Minnesotans for Fair Redistricting, board member Chris Georgacas headed the group. Attorney Tony Trimble, another FFM board member, worked with the group's legal team and helped with the redistricting plans.

Ties to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota founded Minnesota Watchdog.

Core Financials
 2010  :  2009  :
 * Total Revenue: $280,704
 * Total Expenses: $468,104
 * Net Assets: $5,932
 * Total Revenue: $549,963
 * Total Expenses: $335,375
 * Net Assets: $193,332

Board of Directors

 * Chris Georgacas
 * Jack Meeks
 * Brian Sullivan
 * Tony Trimble
 * Steve Knuth
 * Dirk Bak
 * Annette Meeks
 * Kristin Ostrander
 * Vin Weber

Staff

 * Annette Meeks, CEO
 * Jonathan Blake, Vice President
 * Tom Steward, Investigative Director

Contact Details
900 2nd Avenue South Suite 570 Minneapolis, MN 55402

Phone: 612-354-2160

Email: Info at freedomfoundationofminnesota.com Website: http://www.freedomfoundationofminnesota.com

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * Climate Change
 * Climate change sceptics
 * Climate change skeptics/common claims and rebuttal
 * International Conference on Climate Change (2008)
 * International Conference on Climate Change (2009)
 * Researching global warming skeptics