Where Does Your Teacher's Union Money Really Go?

The National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers' union in the U.S., collects significant funds from teachers' paychecks. But where does this money really go?

Political Spending

A substantial portion of the NEA's funds is directed towards politics. The union spends nearly $1 billion every election cycle, supporting candidates and issues such as charter schools and tax increases. However, the NEA also funds causes that may not be directly related to education.

Notable Contributions

• $300,000 to the Sixteen Thirty Fund in 2024, which supports gun control, climate change action, and racial justice.
• Funding to the Tides Foundation, linked to anti-Israel protests.
• Support for Win Without War, a group advocating to defund ICE, claiming its agents cause violence.

Other Expenditures

The NEA also spends money on various initiatives, including:

• Policy briefings for black pastors.
• Opposing standardized testing in Massachusetts.
• Promoting racial equity training and anti-gerrymandering measures in Ohio.

Questions and Concerns

The NEA's funds come from teachers' dues, which are ultimately paid by taxpayers. This raises questions about how public-sector unions should use their power and money, especially when funding political causes that may not align with the views of all taxpayers.