Vets Forward
According to their website: “VetsForward (VetsFWD) is an organization driven by veterans dedicated to defending democracy through grassroots advocacy. Leveraging our unique perspective, we advocate for issues that matter to veterans, including common-sense gun safety laws, clean energy, voting rights, equitable care at the VA, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reforms.”
While the group lists several issue areas of interest, they are in fact exclusively funded by large national environmental organizations.
OVERVIEW
VetsFWD is a dark money group, that does not disclose their funders. All information on their funding was gathered from other sources. As reported on their Form 990 filing, the group’s 2023 revenue was $155,426. Below is information on where this revenue came from, nearly all of which is out of state money.
FUNDING
VetsFWD’s Twitter bio reads “Deploying veteran voices. Defending democracy. Operation Desert Rose.” However, the group received almost all of their funding from out of state environmental organizations. Not what one would assume based on how the entity describes itself. While they do advocate on broader issues of democracy, their twitter posts are also heavily weighted toward the leftist environmental agenda.
ADVOCACY
Pro-Clean Energy Subsidies
Pro-Clean Energy Subsidies
Anti-Fossil Fuel
Pro-Solar Subsidies
VetsFWD’s leadership team is made up of left wing elected officials and past and current political candidates. The organization was created by Aaron Marquez, who is also the Arizona State Representative for Legislative District 5. Also among the listed Directors on staff are Tim Stringham, 2024 Democratic nominee for Maricopa County Director, and Joanna Mendoza, declared candidate for Congress in Arizona’s 6th district.