A taxpayer watchdog group is raising concerns about $3.85 million in public funding connected to the Southern Poverty Law Center, including a federal grant that integrated the organization's educational curriculum into Michigan middle school classrooms.
OpenTheBooks released findings Friday showing at least $1.35 million was paid directly to SPLC by schools, cities, counties, universities and other public entities since fiscal year 2016. The group also identified an active National Institutes of Health-backed University of Michigan project grant worth $2.5 million that incorporated SPLC's Learning for Justice curriculum into programming for middle school students in Genesee County.
The original grant application, obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, described researchers integrating the Teaching Tolerance curriculum from SPLC into an existing middle school program across six schools. The Department of Health and Human Services told Fox News Digital the program is no longer being funded and has been redesigned to focus on reducing teen and family violence.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers have escalated criticism of SPLC's educational materials following the OpenTheBooks report.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., said in a statement that utilizing taxpayer resources to promote what he called leftwing rhetoric in education systems is inappropriate. He added that he supports efforts by the House Judiciary Committee to examine what he described as SPLC's agenda, funding and tactics.
Tyler O'Neil, author of 'Making Hate Pay: The Corruption of the Southern Poverty Law Center' and Daily Signal senior reporter who testified at this week's hearing, said the NIH needs to address parents' concerns about the grant. He argued that federal tax dollars should not promote what he called a divisive program in schools.
What the Left Is Saying
Supporters of SPLC's educational programming argue that Learning for Justice materials promote tolerance, anti-bullying education and historical awareness. The organization, founded in 1971, has long positioned itself as a civil rights advocate tracking extremist groups.
Proponents note that HHS's decision to discontinue funding demonstrates appropriate oversight rather than confirmation of wrongdoing. They contend that curriculum decisions should be made by educators and local school boards rather than through political investigations.
What the Numbers Show
OpenTheBooks identified $1,352,655.07 paid directly to SPLC from public entities since fiscal year 2016.
The University of Michigan received $2.5 million through an active NIH grant for programming that integrated SPLC's Learning for Justice curriculum into middle schools in Genesee County, Michigan.
HHS stated the program is no longer being funded and has been redesigned to focus on teen and family violence prevention.
The Bottom Line
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the appropriate use of federal education funding and parental oversight of school curricula. The House Judiciary Committee hearing titled 'The Southern Poverty Law Center: Manufacturing Hate' signals continued Republican scrutiny of organizations receiving public funds for educational programming.
University of Michigan's current project page still references SPLC as a partner, though HHS says federal funding has ended. Parents and taxpayers should monitor whether the redesigned program maintains any connection to SPLC materials.