News Release

Austin, TX: Texans for Public Justice (TPJ) announced today that its research foundation received a $55,000 grant from the Deer Creek Foundation to continue tracking how private money influences Texas judicial elections. TPJ’s foundation has received more than $300,000 in grant money over the past 18 months.

“It is rewarding to know that respected philanthropic institutions such as Deer Creek are investing in TPJ’s work to fundamentally reform democracy,” said Craig McDonald, director of the non-partisan, non-profit research and advocacy organization.

The St. Louis-based Deer Creek Foundation is a private philanthropy that supports majority rule of society within the context of basic Constitutional rights.

TPJ relies upon foundation grants for most of its funding.  In the current fiscal year, the group expects to raise approximately $275,000 from foundation grants. This amount covers 85 percent of its $325,000 operating budget. TPJ receives no corporate or government funding.  TPJ also receives financial support from approximately 1,000 individual Texas donors.

These foundations have supported Texans for Public Justice projects in 1999 and 2000:

The Alliance For Better Campaigns, Washington, DC  (The Alliance is supported by grants from the Pew Charitable Trusts.)

The Arca Foundation, Washington, D.C

Deer Creek Foundation, St. Louis, MO

The Magnolia Charitable Trust, Houston, TX

The National Association for Public Interest Law (NAPIL), Washington, D.C

The Proteus Fund, Amherst, MA

The Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, Los Angeles, CA

The Margaret Cullinan Wray Charitable Trust, Houston, TX

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