Neil Corkery

Credentials

• MBA, Columbia University (1982).¹“Team,” Wedgwood Circle. Archived April 25, 2019. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/wip/yqW1v

Background

Neil Corkery and his wife, Ann Corkery, played a key role in launching the Judicial Crisis Network (JCN), now The Concord Fund, a group dedicated to reforming the US Supreme Court with conservative judges and policy positions, including Justice Brett Kavanaugh.²Viveca Novak and Peter Stone. “The JCN Story: Building a Secretive GOP Judicial Machine,” OpenSecrets.org, March 23, 2015. Archived September 19, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/BXRuB

The Wellspring Committee, the primary funding source for JCN, was headed by Neil’s wife in 2008. OpenSecrets has noted Neil and his wife Ann sit “at the helm of a network of conservative ‘dark money’ groups organized to influence public policy and has become a key player promoting Trump’s agenda.”³“Tax returns reveal one six-figure donor accounts for entirety of ‘dark money’ funding Whitaker’s nonprofit,” OpenSecrets.org, November 21, 2018. Archived June 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iKekJ

He headed the Wellspring Committee as president after his wife left the position in 2016, according to public tax forms. The Wellspring Committee shut down in December 2018;⁴Anna Massoglia. “An influential ‘dark money’ group turns off the lights for the last time,” OpenSecrets, May 23, 2019. Archived January 16, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/fD6KT however, it was only one of a range of other groups.⁵Anna Massoglia. “Tax returns reveal one six-figure donor accounts for entirety of ‘dark money’ funding Whitaker’s nonprofit,” OpenSecrets.org, November 21, 2018. Archived June 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iKekJ in Corkery’s network. “Wearing multiple hats for various groups in the network, Neil Corkery worked impossibly hard. At one point, tax returns showed him working a combined 100 hours a week between his various nonprofits,” OpenSecrets reported in 2019.⁶Anna Massoglia. “New clues link $1 million Trump inauguration mystery money to secretive ‘dark money’ network,” OpenSecrets , November 28, 2018. Archived January 17, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/wip/3D31B

Salon described Neil and Ann Corkery as “a pair of veteran Republican operatives who have cultivated a robust network of conservative and Catholic-affiliated nonprofits, charities and funds notable for their near-total opacity.”⁷Jon Skolnik. “Behind the dark-money web that put Barrett (and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) on the Supreme Court,” Salon, March 30, 2021. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/amCnu

“For more than a decade, the Corkerys have leveraged this network to prop up conservative judicial nominees, most of whom have been devout Catholics,” Salon noted. “Robert Maguire, research director at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), told Salon that ‘while most Americans wouldn’t recognize their names,’ the Corkerys ‘have been the overseers of massive amounts of money that have gone into federal judicial races.'”

“‘They have the discipline to not talk,’ Maguire explained, acknowledging the dearth of reporting on the duo. ‘They don’t have social media accounts. They don’t give public speeches. They’ve done a really good job of limiting the amount of public information on them.'”⁸Jon Skolnik. “Behind the dark-money web that put Barrett (and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) on the Supreme Court,” Salon, March 30, 2021. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/amCnu

Neil Corkery held key roles at other nonprofits, including the Catholic Association/Catholic Association Foundation and the Annual Fund, among others, according to 990s reviewed by DeSmog. He was treasurer on the founding board of directors for the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), a group created to oppose gay marriage⁹Stephanie Mencimer. “Gay Marriage Foes: ‘Til Disclosure Do Us Part?” Mother Jones, July 1, 2010. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: http://archive.today/FapZP that has opposed gay adoption,¹⁰“URGENT ALERT: Tell Gov. McDonnell to Oppose Same-Sex Adoption Regs,” NOM Blog, April 6, 2011. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cQjqn same sex civil unions,¹¹“Rhode Island takes major step toward approving civil unions,” Reuters, June 29, 2011. Archived July 3, 2011. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/oMyS5 and transgender rights.¹²Maura Dolan. “Prop. 8 backers behind effort to repeal transgender law,” Los Angeles Times, September 20, 2013. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GRIxz

He was previously CFO of Wedgwood Circle, a group co-founded by conservative billionaire Philip Anschutz.¹³“Team,” Wedgwood Circle. Archived April 25, 2019. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/wip/yqW1v Corkery also had his name and address as the principal officer on the group’s tax filings, as reported at HuffPost.¹⁴Jessica Adair. “Don’t Be Fooled, Gorsuch Is a Gift to the Radical Right — And Must Be Stopped,” HuffPost, March 20, 2017. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CKfS8

Neil has also been executive director of the Bishop Gassis Sudan Relief Fund, which reports to bring “the gospel of Christ, and providing food, shelter and medical care to the men, women, and children of South Sudan.”¹⁵Viveca Novak, Robert Maguire, and Peter Overby. “Wellspring’s Flow: Dark Money Outfit Helped Fuel Groups on Political Front Lines,” Center for Responsive Politics, November 5, 2013. Archived June 9, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DP6ia

Stance on Climate Change

While Corkery doesn’t appear to have made public statements on climate change, the Wellspring Committee has funded several groups known to cast doubt on climate change science or actively worked to oppose climate change mitigation policies, such as the American Energy Alliance, Americans for Prosperity, and the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity, among others. 

Key Quotes

As noted by Robert Maguire, research director at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), the Corkerys “have the discipline to not talk. They don’t have social media accounts. They don’t give public speeches.”¹⁶Jon Skolnik. “Behind the dark-money web that put Barrett (and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) on the Supreme Court,” Salon, March 30, 2021. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/amCnu

“I’m very much concerned about my privacy,” Neil Corkery told NPR and the Center for Responsive Politics when they requested him for an interview.¹⁷Viveca Novak, Robert Maguire, and Peter Overby. “Wellspring’s Flow: Dark Money Outfit Helped Fuel Groups on Political Front Lines,” Center for Responsive Politics, November 5, 2013. Archived June 9, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DP6ia

Neil Corkery appears to have made some public appearances relating to his work with the Sudan Relief Fund.

Key Actions

Ann and Neil Corkery have been secretive in their operations. You can learn more about these actions by visiting the respective DeSmog pages of key organizations, such as the Judicial Education Project and the Wellspring Committee.

Affiliations

• The Wellspring Committee — According to public 990 forms, Neil served as president from 2016 until the group ceased operations in late 2018. Before 2016, his wife Ann served as president. 
• The 85 Fund (formerly Judicial Education Project) — Former treasurer (2014).¹⁸“The 85 Fund: Form 990 for period ending December 2014,” ProPublica. Arhived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Still listed as in possession of the group’s books in 2023.¹⁹“The 85 Fund: Full text of ‘Full Filing’ for fiscal year ending Dec. 2023,” ProPublica. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• The Concord Fund (formerly Judicial Crisis Network)— Former treasurer (as recently as 2014/2015, according to public 990 records).²⁰“The Concord Fund: Form 990-O for period ending June 2015,” ProPublica. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• Wedgwood Circle — Chief financial officer (as of 2012).²¹“Team,” Wedgwood Circle. Archived April 25, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/yqW1v
• The Catholic Association — Former principal officer, director, and treasurer (as of tax year beginning 2014).²²”The Catholic Association, Inc. 2014 990,” ProPublica. Archived September 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• The Catholic Association Foundation — President (2013). Note Leonard Leo was also a director in this year.²³”The Catholic Association Foundation 2013 990,” ProPublica. Archived September 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• Catholic Voices — Director and treasurer as of 2014. Ann Corkery was also listed as a director.²⁴”Catholic Voices, Inc. 2014 990,” ProPublica. Archived September 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• The Annual Fund — Listed as in possession of the books and records of the organization (2011).²⁵2011 Form 990 for “The Annual Fund Inc.” Retrieved from ProPublica. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• National Organization for Marriage — Former secretary.²⁶“About NOM,” National Organization for Marriage. Archived December 17, 2007. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GjvOV

Social Media

Neither Neil nor his wife has social media accounts.²⁷Jon Skolnik. “Behind the dark-money web that put Barrett (and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) on the Supreme Court,” Salon, March 30, 2021. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/amCnu

Publications

No publications by Neil Corkery.

Resources

• 1
  “Team,” Wedgwood Circle. Archived April 25, 2019. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/wip/yqW1v
• 2
  Viveca Novak and Peter Stone. “The JCN Story: Building a Secretive GOP Judicial Machine,” OpenSecrets.org, March 23, 2015. Archived September 19, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/BXRuB
• 3
  “Tax returns reveal one six-figure donor accounts for entirety of ‘dark money’ funding Whitaker’s nonprofit,” OpenSecrets.org, November 21, 2018. Archived June 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iKekJ
• 4
  Anna Massoglia. “An influential ‘dark money’ group turns off the lights for the last time,” OpenSecrets, May 23, 2019. Archived January 16, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/fD6KT
• 5
  Anna Massoglia. “Tax returns reveal one six-figure donor accounts for entirety of ‘dark money’ funding Whitaker’s nonprofit,” OpenSecrets.org, November 21, 2018. Archived June 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iKekJ
• 6
  Anna Massoglia. “New clues link $1 million Trump inauguration mystery money to secretive ‘dark money’ network,” OpenSecrets , November 28, 2018. Archived January 17, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/wip/3D31B
• 7
  Jon Skolnik. “Behind the dark-money web that put Barrett (and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) on the Supreme Court,” Salon, March 30, 2021. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/amCnu
• 8
  Jon Skolnik. “Behind the dark-money web that put Barrett (and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) on the Supreme Court,” Salon, March 30, 2021. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/amCnu
• 9
  Stephanie Mencimer. “Gay Marriage Foes: ‘Til Disclosure Do Us Part?” Mother Jones, July 1, 2010. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: http://archive.today/FapZP
• 10
  “URGENT ALERT: Tell Gov. McDonnell to Oppose Same-Sex Adoption Regs,” NOM Blog, April 6, 2011. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cQjqn
• 11
  “Rhode Island takes major step toward approving civil unions,” Reuters, June 29, 2011. Archived July 3, 2011. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/oMyS5
• 12
  Maura Dolan. “Prop. 8 backers behind effort to repeal transgender law,” Los Angeles Times, September 20, 2013. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GRIxz
• 13
  “Team,” Wedgwood Circle. Archived April 25, 2019. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/wip/yqW1v
• 14
  Jessica Adair. “Don’t Be Fooled, Gorsuch Is a Gift to the Radical Right — And Must Be Stopped,” HuffPost, March 20, 2017. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CKfS8
• 15
  Viveca Novak, Robert Maguire, and Peter Overby. “Wellspring’s Flow: Dark Money Outfit Helped Fuel Groups on Political Front Lines,” Center for Responsive Politics, November 5, 2013. Archived June 9, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DP6ia
• 16
  Jon Skolnik. “Behind the dark-money web that put Barrett (and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) on the Supreme Court,” Salon, March 30, 2021. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/amCnu
• 17
  Viveca Novak, Robert Maguire, and Peter Overby. “Wellspring’s Flow: Dark Money Outfit Helped Fuel Groups on Political Front Lines,” Center for Responsive Politics, November 5, 2013. Archived June 9, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DP6ia
• 18
  “The 85 Fund: Form 990 for period ending December 2014,” ProPublica. Arhived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 19
  “The 85 Fund: Full text of ‘Full Filing’ for fiscal year ending Dec. 2023,” ProPublica. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 20
  “The Concord Fund: Form 990-O for period ending June 2015,” ProPublica. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 21
  “Team,” Wedgwood Circle. Archived April 25, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/yqW1v
• 22
  ”The Catholic Association, Inc. 2014 990,” ProPublica. Archived September 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• 23
  ”The Catholic Association Foundation 2013 990,” ProPublica. Archived September 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• 24
  ”Catholic Voices, Inc. 2014 990,” ProPublica. Archived September 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• 25
  2011 Form 990 for “The Annual Fund Inc.” Retrieved from ProPublica. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 26
  “About NOM,” National Organization for Marriage. Archived December 17, 2007. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GjvOV
• 27
  Jon Skolnik. “Behind the dark-money web that put Barrett (and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) on the Supreme Court,” Salon, March 30, 2021. Archived June 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/amCnu