Center For Consumer Freedom - Funding

Funding

Initial funding for the original Guest Choice Network organization came from Philip Morris, with the initial donation of $600,000 followed by a $300,000 donation the following year. Philip Morris attorney Marty Barrington wrote in a 1996 internal company memorandum: "As of this writing, PM USA is still the only contributor, though Berman continues to promise others any day now." By December, 1996, supporters consisted of Alliance Gaming (slot machines), Anheuser-Busch (beer), Bruss Company (steaks and chops), Cargill Processed Meat Products, Davidoff (cigars), Harrah's (casinos), Overhill Farms (frozen foods), Philip Morris, and Standard Meat Company (steaks). The group's advisory panel comprised representatives from most of these companies, plus further representatives from the restaurant industry, including former Senator George McGovern, and Carl Vogt of law firm Fulbright & Jaworski.

Form 990s for the Center for Consumer Freedom are available for years 2002-2010 on the GuideStar website. For the last available year, 2010, revenues were $8.25 million, while expenses reached $8.8 million.

Experts on non-profit law questioned the group's non-profit status in an article that appeared in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Acknowledged corporate donors to the CCF include Coca-Cola, Wendy's, Tyson Foods, Monsanto, and Pilgrim's Pride. As of 2005, the CCF reported more than 1,000 individual donors as well as approximately 100 corporate supporters.