William A. Dunn
Credentials
- Doctor of Philosophy, theoretical physics, Northwestern University (1966). [1]
- Bachelor of Science in engineering physics, University of Kansas (1960). [1]
Background
William A. Dunn is the founder of DUNN Capital Management, Inc., based in Stuart, Florida, which according to the company manages over $1 billion in investments. [2]
Before founding DUNN Capital Management in 1974, Dunn conducted research and system analysis studies for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Department of Defense. He also held research and faculty positions at the University of California and Pomona College in 1965 and 1966 according to his profile at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI). His company was one of the first to apply “strictly data-driven” computer analysis to investment, a technique “eliminating all subjectivity and emotion,” according to the fund’s website. [1], [2]
William Dunn and his wife, Rebecca, support a wide range of primarily libertarian organizations. Dunn has distributed millions of dollars to a range of free market think tanks and conservative organizations such as the Reason Foundation, Cato Institute, Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), Heartland Institute, American Enterprise Institute, Mackinac Center, and many others through Dunn’s Foundation for the Advancement of Right Thinking. Dunn has also served on the boards of many of those same organizations including the Reason Foundation, CEI, and the Cato Institute, often alongside representatives from Koch Industries or the Koch brothers themselves. [3]
In 2007, Dunn was listed as the single largest shareholder of Steven J. Milloy’s Free Enterprise Action Fund (FEAFund),” a mutual fund the New York Times wrote was set up to “lobby the companies in the portfolio whenever they think shareholders’ money is being wasted on social causes.” For example, in 2006 FEAFund pushed for General Electric to stop advocating for global warming regulations. The fund has since dissolved. [4], [5]
According to his profile at The Dunn Foundation, “As a classical liberal, Bill has dedicated his life to advancing his core belief in the principles of individual liberty, free enterprise, and limited government. ‘The need to limit government growth has never been more urgent,’ said Bill. ‘Until the government abides by the Constitution, our liberty will be at the mercy of politicians and government officials who have proven themselves unable or unwilling to restrain themselves.’” [6]
Stance on Climate Change
While Dunn himself does not appear to have an official statement on climate change, his foundation has consistently funded groups who denied the existence of man-made climate change. For example, The Heartland Institute, one of the most notorious deniers of climate change, has received at least $1,330,000 from the Dunn Foundation. Many other notable groups have received Dunn dollars, including the Reason Foundation, Cato Institute, Property and Environment Research Center and the National Center for Policy Analysis (see full funding list below). [7]
Key Quotes
June 12, 2004
Dunn described himself as a “classical liberal or libertarian” at the Free State Project: [8]
“Over 40 years ago I became interested in learning about liberty, freedom, limited government and advancing a more civil (vs. political) society. About 20 years ago I figured out that I was pretty much a classical liberal or libertarian and began supporting and working with various organizations that shared my views and objectives.”[8]
Political Contributions
In addition to his contributions through the Dunn Foundation, William A. Dunn has also contributed at least $234,600 of his own money to political groups according to data retrieved from the Federal Election Commission (FEC): [9]
| Committee Name | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2003 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | Grand Total |
| CLUB FOR GROWTH ACTION | $50,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| LIBERTARIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE INC | $3,000 | $13,000 | $1,000 | $20,000 | $37,000 | |||||||||||||
| LNC–NONFEDERAL | $25,000 | $25,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| TERM LIMITS AMERICA | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $15,000 | ||||||||||||||
| NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND | $1,000 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $3,200 | $500 | $8,200 | ||||||||||||
| RON PAUL 2012 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE INC. | $6,000 | $6,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| FRIENDS OF SHARRON ANGLE | $5,800 | $5,800 | ||||||||||||||||
| NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE | $5,500 | $5,500 | ||||||||||||||||
| CITIZENS CLUB FOR GROWTH INC | $5,000 | $5,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| CLUB FOR GROWTH INC PAC | $5,000 | $5,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| HOOSIERS FOR RICHARD MOURDOCK INC | $5,000 | $5,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| LIBERTY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE | $5,000 | $5,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| COBURN FOR SENATE COMMITTEE | $4,000 | $4,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| ALLEN WEST FOR CONGRESS | $4,000 | $4,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEMINT FOR SENATE COMMITTEE INC | $4,000 | $4,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEVINE FOR CONGRESS INC | $3,000 | $3,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| HARRY BROWNE FOR PRESIDENT INC | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $3,000 | ||||||||||||||
| RUBIO VICTORY COMMITTEE | $2,700 | $2,700 | ||||||||||||||||
| GARY JOHNSON 2012 INC | $2,500 | $2,500 | ||||||||||||||||
| CAMPBELL FOR US SENATE | $2,400 | $2,400 | ||||||||||||||||
| CHUCK KOZAK FOR U. S. SENATE | $2,400 | $2,400 | ||||||||||||||||
| WOHLGEMUTH FOR CONGRESS | $2,000 | $2,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| RICO OLLER FOR CONGRESS | $2,000 | $2,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| GREG RUEHLE FOR CONGRESS | $2,000 | $2,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| FRIENDS OF CLAY SHAW | $2,000 | $2,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR GUN RIGHTS INC PAC | $2,000 | $2,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| ALLEN WEST GUARDIAN FUND | $1,000 | $800 | $1,800 | |||||||||||||||
| RECLAIM AMERICA PAC | $1,620 | $1,620 | ||||||||||||||||
| NRA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 | |||||||||||||||
| TED CRUZ FOR SENATE | $1,250 | $1,250 | ||||||||||||||||
| FREEDOM‘S DEFENSE FUND | $800 | $400 | $1,200 | |||||||||||||||
| LAWSON FOR CONGRESS | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| SAM BROWNBACK FOR U S SENATE | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| THE CONSERVATIVE STRIKEFORCE | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| D’AMBOISE FOR SENATE | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| GRAF FOR CONGRESS | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| SABRIN FOR US SENATE | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| RAND PAUL FOR US SENATE | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| SCHIFF FOR SENATE | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| RANDY HOFFMAN FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| BENTON FOR CONGRESS | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| MARTINEZ FOR SENATE | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| CAMPBELL FOR SENATE | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| LIBERTY PAC | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| NATIONAL REPUBLICAN VICTORY FUND PAC | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| WILSON FOR SENATE | $750 | $750 | ||||||||||||||||
| ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT INC. | $500 | $500 | ||||||||||||||||
| REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA | $500 | $500 | ||||||||||||||||
| SENATE CONSERVATIVES FUND | $500 | $500 | ||||||||||||||||
| LARRY GROOMS FOR CONGRESS | $300 | $300 | ||||||||||||||||
| MARCO RUBIO FOR US SENATE | $80 | $100 | $180 | |||||||||||||||
| Grand Total | $3,000 | $4,000 | $40,000 | $7,500 | $12,000 | $20,000 | $7,000 | $5,500 | $26,000 | $3,000 | $1,000 | $4,400 | $10,200 | $13,000 | $67,700 | $9,000 | $1,300 | $234,600 |
Key Deeds
November 29, 2017
ThinkProgress reported that William Dunn’s foundation was the second-largest funder of Project Veritas, a group that has received criticism for its “sting” operations. In November 2017, The Washington Post alleged that a woman working with Project Veritas had come to their offices claiming to have been the victim of statutory rape, and giving her stories to the paper. [10], [11]
“The Post did not publish an article based on her unsubstantiated account. When Post reporters confronted her with inconsistencies in her story and an Internet posting that raised doubts about her motivations, she insisted that she was not working with any organization that targets journalists,” The Washington Post wrote, also noting that Post reporters had seen her walking into the offices of Project Veritas. [11]
Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe was convicted of a misdemeanor in 2010 for using a false identity to gain access to a federal building during another such operation. [11]
“I am not doing an interview right now, so I’m not going to say a word,” O’Keefe said. [11]
Affiliations
- Property and Environment Research Center (PERC)1 — Former Board Member. [12]
- Reason Foundation2— Chairman Emeritus. [13]
- Foundation for Economic Education (FEE)3 — Past Trustee (2009 – 2012). [14]
- Foundation of Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) — Previously listed on Board of Advisors. [15]
- Prometheus Institute4 — Former Board Member. [12]
- Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI)5 — Board Member. [1]
- Cato Institute — Former Board Member. [16]
- Free Enterprise Action Fund (FEAFund) — Largest shareholder (as of 2007). The fund shut down in 2009. [4]
- James Madison Institute — Listed on the Palm Beach Team. Rebecca Dunn has also been listed on the Board of Directors. [17], [18]
- Institute for Justice — Board Member as recently as 2011. [19]
1. Dunn’s foundation also gave over $4 million to PERC, according to data from publicly available 990 forms. [20]
2. Received over $10 million from Dunn’s foundation. [20]
3. Received over $500,000 from Dunn’s foundation. [20]
5. Received at least $270,000 from Dunn’s foundation. [20]
5. Received at least $6,617,000 from Dunn’s foundation. [20]
Social Media
Resources
- “William Dunn,” Competitive Enterprise Institute. Archived December 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/PtLAU
- “About Dunn,” Dunn Capital Management, LLC. Archived December 8, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/6x1HN
- “Dunn’s Foundation for the Advancement of Right Thinking,” Conservative Transparency. Data retrieved December 7, 2017.
- “Coventry Funds Trust, et al. – ‘485BPOS’ on 4/26/07,” SECinfo.com, May 1, 2007. Archived December 9, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/XvRqY
- “GE Loses Bid to Block Global Warming Shareholder Proposal; Free Enterprise Action Fund (Ticker: FEAOX) Calls On GE to Justify Lobbying for Global Warming Regulation,” Free Enterprise Action Fund, February 12, 2007. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/UT18j
- “Bill Dunn: A Life of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Service,” The Dunn Foundation. Archived December 13, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/SHsrD
- “Heartland Institute compares belief in global warming to mass murder,” The Guardian, May 4, 2012.
- “William A. Dunn Is an FSP Signer and Encourages All Freedom-Lovers to Join,” Free State Project, June 12, 2004. Archived December 8, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tjRvc
- “Individual Contributions,” Federal Election Commission. Data retrieved December 12, 2017.
- Josh Israel and Joshua Eaton. “Meet the people bankrolling James O’Keefe’s group,” ThinkProgress, November 29, 2017. Archived December 13, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/rvtI6
- Shawn Boburg, Aaron C. Davis, and Alice Crites. “A woman approached The Post with dramatic — and false — tale about Roy Moore. She appears to be part of undercover sting operation,” The Washington Post, November 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Fw3dc
- “PERC Board,” Property and Environment Research Center. Archived November 4, 2013. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/uxAvB
- “Reason Trustees and Officers,” Reason Foundation. Archived December 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/hG9PP
- “FEE Past Trustees,” Foundation for Economic Education. Archived December 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/GRvT6
- “Dear Chancellor Thorp:” (PDF), FIRE, September 16, 2011.
- Cato Institute 2011 Annual Report (PDF). Retrieved from cato.org.
- “Palm Beach,” James Madison Institute. Archived December 11, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/rO89I
- “Board of Directors,” The James Madison Institute. Archived March 20, 2013. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/M9lIF
- “Bill Dunn: A Life of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Service,” The Dunn Foundation. Archived December 13, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/SHsrD
- “Dunn’s Foundation for the Advancement of Right Thinking,” Conservative Transparency. Data retrieved December 7, 2017.
Other Resources
- “William A. Dunn,” Sourcewatch.
- “William A. Dunn,” LittleSis profile.
- “Lawmaking Under the Influence of Very Special Interests” (PDF), Progress Florida.
