The Big Campaign: Prop 47 is part of larger push

By Len De Groot and Paige St. John
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In 2011, a core group of five foundations set out to use California’s prison crowding crisis as a springboard for broad changes in criminal justice policy. They used partnerships and grants of at least $14 million to build a statewide network that now plays a key role in the Proposition 47 ballot drive to reduce criminal penalties for drug use and petty theft. Funding for most of that advocacy work – over and above a $9-million political campaign – did not have to be disclosed on campaign contribution reports.

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Grant descriptions taken from tax filings and foundation records.

Sources: Federal 990 non-profit tax filings, California campaign finance reports, foundation records.