pope center for higher education policy

September 8, 2015 - An incoming University of North Carolina freshman made headlines for claiming that the school's "Literature of 9/11" course — which he has not taken — sympathizes with terrorists. It turns out the student has connections to a think thank founded and funded by conservative mega-donor Art Pope that has targeted UNC classes emphasizing non-Western and non-white perspectives.

November 21, 2013 - The Civitas Institute, a think tank founded and funded by GOP mega-donor and NC budget director Art Pope, demanded emails and other records from UNC Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity Director Gene Nichol shortly after he published a column blasting the McCrory administration. Is this yet another fishing expedition aimed at harassing an outspoken academic?

February 6, 2013 - Conservative mega-donor Art Pope has helped finance a movement to discredit mainstream climate science. Now North Carolina's budget director, he will help make important fiscal decisions for a state facing serious threats from climate change.

January 30, 2013 - Every December, the family foundation run by GOP mega-donor Art Pope publicizes the money it gives to the arts and community services. But it rarely mentions its grants to conservative groups and causes -- even though they make up 70% of the Pope Foundation's philanthropy.

September 18, 2012 - Conservative donor Art Pope has given millions to North Carolina's public universities, often to have his offers rejected over political controversies. Now he has a seat at the table in deciding the UNC system's future.