Connection research · Research date 2026-09-15
Thiry-O’Leary Foundation funding overlaps with Kent Thiry’s Unite America Institute board role
Recorded status: Verified foundation→Institute grants and board/officer overlap; Idaho earmarking or control not established.
This is a dated research record. Its qualifications and open questions are part of the account. Association alone does not establish wrongdoing or control.
A second recurring funder/governance overlap exists inside Unite America Institute through Kent Thiry. IRS-derived data show the Thiry-O’Leary Foundation (EIN 45-4059068), where Kent J. Thiry is reported as secretary, gave Unite America Institute approximately $1.5 million across six grants from 2020-2024, including about $609,000 in FY2024. Unite America Institute’s official board page lists Kent Thiry as a board member and describes him as heavily involved in the national democracy movement and a leader in statewide ballot initiatives. Thus, as with Quadrivium/Kathryn Murdoch, a recurring private-foundation funder has direct leadership overlap with the Institute. Separately, Thiry has made substantial personal political contributions to election-reform campaigns, including Colorado’s 2024 top-four/RCV effort. Foundation grants, board service and personal political contributions are distinct legal/financial channels. No evidence located here establishes that Thiry-O’Leary Foundation grants were earmarked for Idaho Proposition 1, Reclaim Idaho, or Idaho-specific activity.
Source references
- Thiry-O’Leary Foundation grants — philanthropy.org — Organizations this funder supports
- Thiry-O’Leary Foundation — ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer — Officers / FY2024 filing
- Unite America Institute — About — Our Board — Kent Thiry
- Colorado TRACER — Colorado Voters First contributions — March 2024 contributions