In Florida, Extremist Networks Are Hiding Behind Nonprofits

City Journal ^ | May 21. 2026 | Jay Collins, Joel Finkelstein, Colin Wright

[chickenlips]

Progressive nonprofits are having a rough time lately. In April, the Department of Justice alleged that the Southern Poverty Law Center secretly paid leaders of the Ku Klux Klan and Aryan Nations—not to dismantle these extremist groups, but, as prosecutors put it, to manufacture “the extremism it purports to oppose.” And a recent City Journal investigation by Ryan Thorpe and Christopher F. Rufo, based on a previous report from the Network Contagion Research Institute and the Intelligent Advocacy Network, as well as their congressional testimony, revealed that the California branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has received more than $40 million in public funds, despite longstanding scrutiny over connections to Hamas-linked networks.

These are not isolated incidents. They’re part of a pattern of extremists abusing the American nonprofit system for their own ends. Just look at Florida—where one of us serves as Lieutenant Governor—to see how deep the problem runs.

A new report from the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) documents networks across Florida with overlapping leadership, shared funding streams, and repeated ties to individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses or sanctioned for connections to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and Iran-aligned influence operations. These networks operate through America’s civil society framework—using 501(c)(3) status, nonprofit governance structures, and the constitutional protections afforded to religious institutions as both cover and support.

SNIP>>>>>>>>>>>

The Islamic Community of Tampa’s 501(c)(3) board of trustees included Ramadan Abdullah Shallah. While Shallah held formal directorship of an American nonprofit, documented in the organization’s own Florida nonprofit filings, he was simultaneously serving as secretary-general of PIJ, which he led for more than two decades. He appeared on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and was classified by the U.S. Treasury as a Specially Designated Terrorist.

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TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: domesticenemies; extremists; florida; islam; moneylaundering; ngos; nonprofits; spl; splc; terrorism

[chickenlips]

Who would have thought non-profits could be corrupt or terror supporters? I'm shocked, shocked I say.

[Rockingham]

The problem is well-known in intelligence circles but is always sensitive and is politically off limits in some administrations. Worse than that, Muslim immigration and visas continually expand the problem.

[jagusafr]

the Southern Poverty Law Center secretly paid leaders of the Ku Klux Klan and Aryan Nations—not to dismantle these extremist groups, but, as prosecutors put it, to manufacture “the extremism it purports to oppose.”

That is as evil and morally bankrupt as it gets.

[Rockingham]

Yup.

[Machavelli]

All non-profits should be reevaluated or eliminated. They have been an opportunity to scam the American people for a long time.

[pepperdog]

I am sick of “non-profits” and “NGO’s”, why do government monies (tax money) go to such things? Government money sould go to running the government, not to these scams.

[bigfootbob]

I agree with everything you said. I would add, this is not just a problem in Florida.

I say that as an employee of a nonprofit. We’re not political however, 1/2 of our board members are leftists and both sides check their ideology at the door, otherwise, I’d be gone leaving an IED behind as a parting gift.

I see the problem as many nonprofits are nothing more than money laundering instruments for radicals. They either ignore or pretend to have a mission. Better oversight is sorely needed.

[subterfuge]

Iceberg tip...

[Freee-dame]

100% agree. If there were no tax benefits from having a nonprofit, people would still donate to charities that do good work that the donor supports. There should simply be nothing related to taxpayers, however

[sten]

Why do they think it’s only in Florida ??