JD Vance to Dissolve Ohio Charities Amid Scrutiny and Limited Impact
Republican VP nominee JD Vance plans to close his Ohio-based charities, formed after "Hillbilly Elegy" success. The nonprofits, criticized for minimal achievements, will distribute remaining funds to Appalachian causes.
JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee and U.S. Senator, is set to dissolve the remnants of his charitable initiatives in Ohio, according to the Trump-Vance campaign. These organizations were established following the success of Vance's bestselling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" in 2016.
Vance created two nonprofits with the aim of addressing issues in Ohio and other Rust Belt states, focusing on job opportunities, mental health treatment, and the opioid crisis. However, these organizations faced criticism for their limited accomplishments.
The primary achievement of Vance's charities was funding an addiction specialist's year-long residency in southern Ohio. This effort, however, became controversial due to the specialist's connections to the American Enterprise Institute and Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin.
Financial details of the organizations reveal some discrepancies. Our Ohio Renewal, a 501(c)(4) social welfare group, reported raising $221,000 in 2018, with $80,000 coming from Vance himself. The organization was shut down in 2021. Meanwhile, the Our Ohio Renewal Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable group, reportedly raised and spent about $69,000 between 2017 and 2023, though the exact figures remain unclear.
In April 2024, the foundation filed paperwork to reinstate its corporate status, which had lapsed in 2022. The Trump-Vance campaign clarified that this was a necessary step to close out the foundation's accounts, which still hold approximately $11,000.
Vance has acknowledged that his charitable efforts fell short of his initial aspirations. The campaign spokesperson stated that the remaining funds will be distributed to causes benefiting Appalachia, a region known for its distinct culture and economic challenges.
"I remain proud of her work treating patients in one of Ohio's hardest hit areas."
This statement refers to Dr. Sally Satel's work in Ironton, Ohio, despite the controversy surrounding her ties to Purdue Pharma-funded research.
As Vance prepares for his role as the Republican vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election, the closure of these charities marks the end of a chapter that began with the publication of "Hillbilly Elegy" eight years ago. The limited impact of these organizations serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in addressing systemic issues in regions like the Rust Belt, where industrial decline has left lasting economic and social challenges.
