Berger Action Fund


The Berger Action Fund is a 501 nonprofit liberal advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. It is associated with the Wyss Foundation, which is the funding vehicle of Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss. The Berger Action Fund has been a major donor to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which is a hub of undisclosed political spending on the American Left. The New York Times wrote that the Berger Action Fund is part of Wyss' "sophisticated political operation to advance progressive policy initiatives and the Democrats who support them." The Berger Action Fund has donated nearly $500 million to left-leaning nonprofits.
The Berger Action Fund shares facilities and staff with the Wyss Foundation. Molly McUsic serves as the president of both the Berger Action Fund and the Wyss Foundation. Because of the way it is registered under the U.S. tax code, the Berger Action Fund is allowed to spend money supporting and opposing political candidates. Berger states that it has policies against such spending for candidates or parties. Wyss's political giving has come under scrutiny since foreign nationals without permanent residency are prohibited from donating directly to federal political candidates or political action committees.

History and activities

The Associated Press wrote that "The Berger Action Fund is a nondescript name for a group with a rather specific purpose: steering the wealth of Hansjörg Wyss, a Swiss billionaire, into the world of American politics and policy." As a foreign national, Wyss is prohibited by U.S. law from donating to candidates or political committees. He is able to donate to "dark money" groups that are not required to disclose the sources of their funding. Wyss' status as a foreign national spending large sums of money to influence U.S. politics has attracted controversy.
The Berger Action Fund donated more than $10.8 million to the Sixteen Thirty Fund in 2016 and 2017. During this time period, the Sixteen Thirty Fund donated to super PACs that promoted Joe Biden and attacked Donald Trump. In 2020, the Berger Action Fund gave $56 million to other groups on the left, including $31 million to the Sixteen Thirty Fund. In 2021, Wyss gave $72 million through the Berger Action Fund, "cementing Wyss' status as a Democratic-aligned megadonor." In 2022, the Berger Action Fund gave $63 million in grants, including $35 million to the Sixteen Thirty Fund.
In 2024, John Podesta, then serving as an environmental advisor to President Joe Biden, met with Berger Action Fund president Molly McUsic at the White House. Podesta has disclosed receiving consulting income from the Wyss Foundation.

Recipients

Groups that have received $1 million or more from the Berger Action Fund include: