Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation

Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation is a private, independent foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, founded in 1942 by Lynde Bradley and Harry Bradley, two brothers who made their fortune in the Allen-Bradley company. The foundation's initial focus was on supporting local Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and other Wisconsin-based organizations, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Marquette University. Over time, the foundation's scope expanded to include national and international initiatives, often in collaboration with other prominent foundations, such as the John M. Olin Foundation, Scaife Foundations, and Heritage Foundation. The foundation's work has been influenced by notable thinkers, including Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Leo Strauss.

● History

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation was established in 1942, with an initial endowment from the Allen-Bradley company, which was founded by Lynde Bradley and Harry Bradley in 1903. The foundation's early years were marked by support for local Milwaukee institutions, including the Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee Public Museum, and Pabst Mansion. As the foundation grew, it began to support national organizations, such as the American Enterprise Institute, Cato Institute, and Federalist Society, which were influenced by the ideas of Ayn Rand, William F. Buckley Jr., and Barry Goldwater. The foundation also supported international initiatives, including the National Endowment for Democracy, International Republican Institute, and Center for Strategic and International Studies, which have worked with notable figures, such as Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Brent Scowcroft.

● Mission and Activities

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation's mission is to support projects and organizations that promote conservatism, classical liberalism, and free market principles, often in collaboration with other prominent foundations, such as the Koch Family Foundations, Walton Family Foundation, and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The foundation's activities include providing grants to support research, education, and advocacy initiatives, as well as hosting conferences and events, such as the Bradley Symposium, which has featured speakers, including Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney, and Paul Ryan. The foundation has also supported the work of notable scholars, including Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson, and Charles Krauthammer, who have written for publications, such as The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and The Weekly Standard.

● Grants and Initiatives

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation has provided grants to a wide range of organizations, including think tanks, research centers, and advocacy groups, such as the Manhattan Institute, Heartland Institute, and Americans for Prosperity. The foundation has also supported initiatives focused on education reform, tax policy, and national security, often in collaboration with other prominent organizations, such as the Brookings Institution, American Legislative Exchange Council, and Council on Foreign Relations. Notable grantees have included the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and Stanford University, which have been influenced by the ideas of Milton Friedman, Gary Becker, and Thomas Schelling. The foundation has also supported the work of notable journalists, including George Will, Charles Krauthammer, and Peggy Noonan, who have written for publications, such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Forbes.

● Criticisms and Controversies

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation has faced criticism and controversy over the years, particularly with regard to its support for conservative and libertarian causes, which have been influenced by the ideas of Ayn Rand, William F. Buckley Jr., and Barry Goldwater. Some have accused the foundation of promoting a partisan agenda, while others have criticized its support for organizations that have been involved in climate change denial and voter suppression efforts, such as the Heartland Institute and American Legislative Exchange Council. The foundation has also faced criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability, particularly with regard to its grant-making processes, which have been influenced by the ideas of Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek. Notable critics have included Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky, and Ralph Nader, who have written for publications, such as The Nation, The Guardian, and Mother Jones.

● Notable Grantees and Partnerships

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation has provided grants to a wide range of notable organizations and individuals, including the Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, and Federalist Society, which have been influenced by the ideas of Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Leo Strauss. The foundation has also partnered with other prominent foundations, such as the John M. Olin Foundation, Scaife Foundations, and Koch Family Foundations, to support initiatives focused on education reform, tax policy, and national security. Notable grantees have included the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and Stanford University, which have been influenced by the ideas of Gary Becker, Thomas Schelling, and Robert Barro. The foundation has also supported the work of notable scholars, including Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson, and Charles Krauthammer, who have written for publications, such as The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and The Weekly Standard.