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VIEW THE EVIDENCE
AFP Exposed Torch Logo.png

NATIONAL POLITICAL MONEY.
LOCAL SCHOOL DECISIONS.

A closer look at Americans for Prosperity and its campaign against Indiana public school referendums.

EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE
FOLLOW THE MONEY

DARK

MONEY

NATIONAL MONEY. UNDISCLOSED DONORS.

Americans for Prosperity is a national political advocacy organization with longstanding ties to the Koch network.

 

Its nonprofit structure allows it to keep donor identities out of public disclosure while influencing local school funding debates.

SEE THE JOB POSTING

$20

PER HOUR

PAID POLITICS, LOCAL SCHOOLS.

Americans for Prosperity advertises paid canvassing positions starting at $20 an hour, plus mileage.

 

Meanwhile, many local school referendum campaigns rely on parents, teachers, and community volunteers.

SEE THE JOB POSTING

-$744.4

MILLION

THE SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS IS REAL.

Indiana public schools are projected to lose more than $744 million in previously anticipated property tax revenue from 2026 through 2028 due to changes in state law.

​

Across Indiana, school districts face difficult funding decisions as Americans for Prosperity campaigns against local school referendums.

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THE ALBRIGHT–AFP TIMELINE

MAR 2, 2026

AFP ENDORSES JUANITA ALBRIGHT

Americans for Prosperity–Indiana endorses Dr. Juanita Albright for Indiana Senate District 31.

JUN 10, 2026

ALBRIGHT VOTES TO PLACE REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT

Albright votes to put Hamilton Southeastern’s operating referendum on the November ballot.

AUG 21, 2026

AFP URGES NO VOTES

AFP–Indiana launches a campaign against school property-tax referendums, including Hamilton Southeastern’s.

THE VERDICT?

AFP supports the politician. Then campaigns against the school funding she previously supported.
 

In 2023, Juanita Albright publicly supported Hamilton Southeastern's school referendum.
 

In March 2026, Americans for Prosperity endorsed Albright for the Indiana Senate.
 

Just five months later, AFP launched a statewide campaign urging voters to reject school property-tax referendums.
 

When it comes to political endorsements, referendum support apparently isn't a dealbreaker. When it comes to funding local schools, AFP tells voters to say NO

SO WHICH IS IT?
THE RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

THE PAID OPERATION

$20 / HOUR
 

On its own recruitment page, Americans for Prosperity–Indiana advertises part-time Grassroots Associate positions with starting pay of $20 per hour and mileage reimbursement.
 

The responsibilities include:
 

  • Door-to-door canvassing

  • Promoting the organization's policy positions

  • Reporting outreach results

  • Meeting performance goal

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THE VOLUNTEER EFFORT

$0 / HOUR

​

Across Indiana, local school referendum campaigns are powered by parents, teachers, alumni, and community members volunteering their time to inform voters and support their schools.
 

They knock on doors after work. They deliver yard signs. They answer questions, share information, and organize efforts within their own communities.
 

These grassroots efforts are driven by parents, educators, and neighbors. Not taxpayer-funded campaign operations.

​

They're not collecting a paycheck. They value strong public education.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is the chief political advocacy organization within the expansive conservative-libertarian network founded by the Koch family.

 

Since 2004, it has functioned as a nationwide infrastructure designed to mobilize grassroots voters against government spending and social programs, operating as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit with minimal donor disclosure requirements.

"AMERICANS FOR       PROSPERITY"

ENDORSEMENT DATABASE

With deep financial resources and a sophisticated data-voter contact operation, AFP Indiana has historically focused on statewide legislative policy.

​

However, in the 2026 cycle, the organization activated its permanent precinct-level infrastructure to target local school property tax referendums, marking a significant entry into local education funding elections.

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