Newton D. & Rochelle F. Becker Foundations and Charitable Trust

The Newton D. & Rochelle F. Becker Foundation’s tax filings describe its mission statement as conducting philanthropy “directed to the Jewish community, particularly Jewish organizations and programs that combat media bias against Israel and the Jewish people, Israel advocacy, and democracy defense.”

Newton Becker served as president of the foundation prior to his passing in 2012. Some of the foundation’s board members include Marvin Schotland, president of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles; Allan Cutrow, former president of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles; and Mark Karlan, a board member for StandWithUs, a pro-Israel advocacy group.

The Newton D. & Rochelle F. Becker Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to a numerous neoconservative pro-Israel groups with deep roots and connections to the Islamophobia network, including the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, or JINSA; Middle East Media Research Institute, or MEMRI; and the Zionist Organization of America, or ZOA. It has also contributed millions of dollars to anti-Islam organizations such as the Middle East Forum, Center for Security Policy, David Horowitz Freedom Center, Clarion Project, and Act! For America. 

The Becker Foundation, Becker Family Foundation, and Charitable Trust have contributed $1,411,000 between 2001 and 2012 to anti-Islam organizations such as the Middle East Forum ($464,000), Center for Security Policy ($405,000), David Horowitz Freedom Center ($87,000), Clarion Project ($80,000), and Act! For America Education ($75,000).

 

Source: Center for American Progress research is based on 990s filed with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.