{"id":2640776,"date":"2026-08-05T05:10:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T09:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-charity-behind-madison-autonomous-zone-raked-in-tax-dollars\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T05:11:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T09:11:58","slug":"how-charity-behind-madison-autonomous-zone-raked-in-tax-dollars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-charity-behind-madison-autonomous-zone-raked-in-tax-dollars\/","title":{"rendered":"How charity behind Madison &#8216;autonomous zone&#8217; raked in tax dollars"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhow-charity-behind-madison-autonomous-zone-raked-in-tax-dollars%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2640776&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Wisconsin nonprofit group, Freedom Inc., involved in an illegal protest encampment that blocked traffic in Madison, receives notable funding from federal, state, and local sources, totaling over $5 million since 2020. The city of Madison awarded the group at least $149,000 this year for youth programs, despite it&#8217;s activities including hosting protests and occupying streets following a police shooting. While the mayor condemned the protesters and the city eventually cleared the encampment, Freedom Inc. maintained a leadership role, facilitating protests, providing supplies, and demanding police defunding. The group\u2019s mission emphasizes social justice through services and community organizing and has also <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >received significant government grants aimed<\/a> at domestic violence prevention, immigrant and refugee support, and COVID-19 assistance. Despite their nonprofit status, Freedom Inc. actively engaged in political activism, working with families affected by violence and promoting an anti-police narrative, explicitly declaring that their \u201conly enemy is the state.\u201d The agencies funding them have not responded to requests for comment.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wisconsin\/\">Wisconsin<\/a> nonprofit group leading an illegal protest encampment that blocked traffic enjoys lavish federal, state, and local funding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The city of Madison <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofmadison.com\/dpced\/community-development\/documents\/2026_CDD_contracts.pdf\">awarded<\/a> Freedom Inc. at least $149,000 this year for initiatives such as \u201c[Southeast Asian] and Black Youth Programs\u201d after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofmadison.com\/dpced\/community-development\/documents\/2025%20CDD%20contracts.pdf\">years<\/a> of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofmadison.com\/dpced\/community-development\/documents\/2024%20CDD%20contracts%20v2.2.pdf\">similar<\/a> community-focused <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/cG3x5\">grants<\/a>, records show. The city\u2019s awards offer a glimpse of the more than $5 million in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/25115120202.pdf\">government funds<\/a> that flowed to Freedom Inc. since 2020, including from the Department of Justice and state officials.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4673880\/charity-madison-wisconsin-autonomous-zone-taxpayer-money\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>How the charity behind Madison, Wisconsin\u2019s \u2018autonomous zone\u2019 raked in taxpayer money<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4674106\/transgender-prisoners-file-keep-identities-concealed\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Transgender prisoners file to keep identities concealed after female plaintiffs identified inmates as sex offenders<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4672587\/whos-behind-wisconsin-anti-police-zone\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Who\u2019s behind Wisconsin\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whos-behind-wisconsins-anti-police-autonomous-zone\/\" title=\"Who&#039;s behind Wisconsin&#039;s anti-police &#039;autonomous zone&#039;?\">anti-police \u2018autonomous zone\u2019 taking<\/a> over city streets?<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is now condemning protesters reacting to a July <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/police-and-law-enforcement\/\">police<\/a> shooting after they <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4672587\/whos-behind-wisconsin-anti-police-zone\/\">camped out in the street<\/a> for days, forcing shuttered businesses to lose money and emergency vehicles to detour. Online posts from those involved show Freedom Inc. pitching a tent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/ObmKG\">inside<\/a> the so-called \u201cautonomous zone,\u201d handing out supplies to protesters, and forming their \u201cdemands\u201d to the city for policy change, the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The city <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/captimes.com\/news\/government\/willy-street-encampment-is-being-cleared-17-arrested\/article_4c3cb410-4c61-4c1b-a78d-6ad05222041b.html\">cleared<\/a> the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=VStYxUOUMf8\">encampment<\/a> on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofmadison.com\/news\/2026-08-04\/williamson-street-has-reopened\">Tuesday morning<\/a> after Rhodes-Conway spent days pleading with protesters to disperse on their own, according to media reports and Rhodes-Conway\u2019s Tuesday <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofmadison.com\/news\/2026-08-04\/video-message-from-mayor-rhodes-conway\">comments<\/a>. Rioters threw rocks and other debris at city workers during the dispersal, leading to \u201ca small number\u201d of arrests, she said. \u201cAgain, multiple efforts and calls to end the occupation peacefully were made but ultimately ignored,\u201d the mayor said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Freedom Inc. stood firm on Tuesday, posting a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/4DrTk\">joint Instagram post<\/a> with other groups that declared \u201cshame\u201d on the arresting officers. The charity is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/uOHvc\">organizing<\/a> a \u201cMass Mobilization\u201d protest for Tuesday evening at Wisconsin\u2019s state capitol in Madison.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rhodes-Conway\u2019s office and Freedom Inc. did not respond to the <em>Washington Examiner\u2019s<\/em> requests for comment. Madison requires <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofmadison.com\/dpced\/community-development\/contracts-funding\/contract-compliance\">funding recipients<\/a> to sign <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofmadison.com\/dpced\/community-development\/documents\/Sample%20Federal%20Fund%20Contract.pdf\">contracts explaining<\/a> that they will <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofmadison.com\/dpced\/community-development\/documents\/Sample%20City%20GPR%20Fund%20Contract.pdf\">comply with<\/a> all relevant laws, ordinances, and regulations. Freedom Inc. is not currently accused of illegal activity.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Madison protests happened against the backdrop of a competitive <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Francesca_Hong\">Democratic primary election<\/a> for governor on Aug. 11. Socialist candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/francesca-hong\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"23344\">Francesca Hong<\/a>, a state lawmaker who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/jmwuM\">worked with Freedom Inc.<\/a> on an education bill, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DbHXHMBHHvb\/?img_index=3\">told supporters<\/a> in a July 22 statement that the group was \u201con the scene supporting community members\u201d at the Madison demonstration.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-battling-the-state-as-it-helps-pay-their-bills\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Battling \u2018the state\u2019 as it helps pay their bills<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2025\/07\/21\/taxpayer-funded-nonprofit-marxist-queer-resistance-anti-trump-summer-camp\/\">other<\/a> leftist <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2025\/02\/12\/foreign-aid-agencies-awarded-27-million-to-group-helping-leftist-protesters-avoid-jail\/\">tax-exempt charities<\/a>, Freedom Inc. attracts public funds for seemingly charitable programs while directing its overall resources toward political advocacy. The group <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FreedomInc990_2023.pdf\">described its mission<\/a> in IRS filings as \u201cto achieve <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FreedomInc990_2024_4db4d5.pdf\">social justice<\/a> through coupling direct services with leadership development and community organizing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Madison\u2019s stated reasons for bankrolling Freedom Inc. since 2024 included \u201cOlder Adult Services,\u201d \u201cFamily Strengthening\u201d for black and Southeast Asian women, youth, and LGBT people, as well as a \u201cNkauj Hmoob Hmong Girls Group\u201d and a \u201cBlack Girls Matter\u201d program.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rhodes-Conway\u2019s administration also announced $50,000 in 2020 for the nonprofit group to help foreigners overcome \u201cobstacles such as immigration status and lack of documentation that prevent or make it more difficult\u201d to obtain COVID-19 welfare funds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former President Joe Biden\u2019s DOJ also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20260801073202\/https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/ovw\/awards\/fy-2024-ovw-grant-awards-program\">awarded<\/a> Freedom Inc. $475,000 in 2024 \u201cto enhance culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usaspending.gov\/award\/ASST_NON_15JOVW24GG03297CSSP_015\">federal records<\/a> show. Between 2023 and 2026, Wisconsin\u2019s Department of Justice <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisdoj.gov\/Crime%20Victims%20Services\/VAWA_STOP_and_SASP_Subgrantees_2025.pdf\">awarded<\/a> the charity <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisdoj.gov\/Crime%20Victims%20Services\/VOCA_2025.2026_SubgrantAwards.pdf\">hundreds<\/a> of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisdoj.gov\/Crime%20Victims%20Services\/VOCA_ARPA_2023-2024_Subgrant_Awards.pdf\">thousands<\/a> of dollars in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisdoj.gov\/Crime%20Victims%20Services\/VAWA_STOP_Prosecution_Training_Grant_FA2026_Final.pdf\">federal<\/a> DOJ funds related to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisdoj.gov\/Pages\/Grants\/victims-of-crime-act-grant-program.aspx\">crime victim programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Freedom Inc. reported a separate $548,863 from the state\u2019s Department of Children and Families in 2020 for \u201cImmigrant and Refugee\u201d work, \u201cUnder-represented Populations,\u201d \u201cPandemic Shelter,\u201d and other purposes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The DOJ and the two Wisconsin departments did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4672587\/whos-behind-wisconsin-anti-police-zone\/\"><strong>WHO\u2019S BEHIND WISCONSIN\u2019S ANTI-POLICE \u2018AUTONOMOUS ZONE\u2019 TAKING OVER CITY STREETS?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though Rhodes-Conway described the recent encampment as disorganized, Freedom Inc. assumed a leading role by hosting educational sessions, providing \u201cabolish police\u201d signs and other gear, and serving as a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/Pv2Gb\">contact point<\/a> for planning protest \u201cactions,\u201d according to activists\u2019 online posts. Freedom Inc. also worked with the family of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/4662565\/democrats-smear-police-after-shooting-madison-wisconsin\/\">Corey Ruiz<\/a>, who was killed in the July shooting, to write down and distribute demands that Madison defund its police, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOUR ONLY ENEMY IS THE STATE,\u201d Freedom Inc. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/fU4uY\">declared on Saturday<\/a> during the encampment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wisconsin nonprofit funds illegal protest, enjoys extensive government support<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1239,"featured_media":2640777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26204761824266.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[83642,6543,15467,16632,37179],"class_list":["post-2640776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-autonomous-zone","tag-charity","tag-fundraising","tag-madison","tag-tax-dollars"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26204761824266.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1239"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2640776"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640776\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2640780,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640776\/revisions\/2640780"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2640777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2640776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2640776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2640776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}