Palmetto Policy Forum

The Palmetto Policy Forum (PPF) is a right-wing advocacy group based in South Carolina. It is a member of the State Policy Network, a web of state pressure groups that denote themselves as "think tanks" and drive a right-wing agenda in statehouses nationwide. It was founded in 2009 as the "Palmetto Fort Foundation" and changed its name in November 2012, according to its IRS filings. However, in February 2013, local and national press proclaimed that a new organization had been launched by former U.S. Senator and Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint. DeMint injected $300,000 of his remaining campaign funds into the group and was thus named its "Founding Chairman." No mention was made of the organization's history as the relatively small "Palmetto Fort Foundation." PPF's own website explains that it was "relaunched" in 2013, "championed and energized by Jim DeMint."

Finances
 2012 
 * Total Revenue: $62,804
 * Total Expenses: $43,535
 * Net Assets: $28,378

 2011 
 * Total Revenue: $7,545
 * Total Expenses: $13,441
 * Net Assets: $9,109

 2010 
 * Total Revenue: $13,110
 * Total Expenses: $13,880
 * Net Assets: $15,005

 2009 
 * Total Revenue: $30,095
 * Total Expenses: $14,320
 * Net Assets: $15,775

Staff
As of November 2013: :


 * Ellen E. Weaver, ​President and CEO​ (former State Director, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint's staff)
 * ​Dr. Oran P. Smith (former President and CEO of the Palmetto Fort Foundation), ﻿Senior Fellow
 * Kate Maroney​ (former Press Secretary, U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ); former Deputy Press Secretary, U.S. Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN)), Executive Assistant to the President & CEO​

Board of Directors
As of November 2013:


 * Ellen C. Weaver, President, CEO, and Director
 * Jim DeMint, Honorary Founding Chairman (former U.S. Senator; President, Heritage Foundation)
 * Stu Rodman, Vice Chairman​ and Founder (former Beaufort County school boardmember)
 * C. Dan Adams​​, Director​ (President and CEO, The Capital Corporation)
 * J. Gresham Barrett, Director﻿ (former U.S. Representative ranked as one of the most conservative members of Congress by the National Journal in 2009)
 * Michael R. Brenan, Director​ (President, BB&T South Carolina)
 * Van Hipp, Director​ (Chairman, American Defense International, Inc.)
 * Phil R. Hughes, Director​ (President, Hughes Investments, Inc.)
 * Michael H. McBride, Director​ (Chairman, HMR Veterans Services, Inc.)
 * Pat McKinney, Director​ (Owner, Kiawah Partners real estate firm)
 * Barry D. Wynn, Director (President, Colonial Group)

Former Boardmembers

 * Dr. Oran Smith, formerly President, CEO, and Director (President, Palmetto Family Council)

Contact Details
Palmetto Policy Forum Physical Address: 1612 Marion Street, Ste. 312 Columbia, SC 29201 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12676 Columbia, SC 29211 Phone: (803) 708-0673 Web: http://www.palmettopolicy.org/