David Horowitz Freedom Center
Network Map
Organizational hierarchy & network connections
Connected Organizations
OVERVIEW
The David Horowitz Freedom Center (DHFC), formerly the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, is a conservative foundation founded in 1988 by David Horowitz and Peter Collier. The SPLC has designated DHFC as an anti-Muslim hate group and calls Horowitz "the godfather of the modern anti-Muslim movement." DHFC is the central hub of a network that includes FrontPage Magazine and Jihad Watch. Total revenue from 2017-2021 was approximately $36 million.
KEY FIGURES
David Horowitz (Founder/CEO) — Compensation approximately $570,000 (2016). Former leftist radical turned conservative activist. Described by SPLC as a "driving force of the anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-black movements."
Daniel Greenfield — Became CEO in 2025. Shillman Journalism Fellow; writes "The Point" column and the Sultan Knish blog.
Robert Spencer — Shillman Fellow and director of Jihad Watch, a DHFC program.
FUNDING & FINANCES
- Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation: Nearly $9 million documented
- John M. Olin Foundation: Founding funder
- Scaife Foundations (Carthage Foundation): Founding and ongoing funder
- Robert Shillman (CEO, Cognex Corporation): Endows "Shillman Journalism Fellowships" for DHFC writers
- 2008 revenue: $5.47 million; total 2017-2021 revenue: ~$36 million
KEY PROGRAMS
FrontPage Magazine: Online publication advancing counter-jihad narratives. Key writers include Daniel Greenfield, Robert Spencer, and Jamie Glazov.
Jihad Watch: Blog directed by Robert Spencer, who was banned from the UK in 2013 by Home Secretary Theresa May. Spencer was cited 64 times in Anders Breivik's manifesto.
"Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week": Campus campaigns promoting anti-Muslim narratives at universities.
Restoration Weekend: Annual conference bringing together conservative leaders and donors.
NETWORK CONNECTIONS
- Jihad Watch / Robert Spencer — Housed and funded by DHFC
- FrontPage Magazine — Publication of DHFC
- Pamela Geller / AFDI — Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America with Geller
- Bradley Foundation, Scaife Foundations, Donors Capital Fund — Shared with the broader anti-Muslim funding network
DESIGNATIONS
- SPLC: Designated as an anti-Muslim hate group; Horowitz called "the godfather of the modern anti-Muslim movement"
Linked Profiles
Individuals documented in connection with David Horowitz Freedom Center
