Statesmen Academy is an educational program hosted by the conservative Christian Family Policy Alliance through their sister organization Family Policy Alliance Foundation. 

This Academy is most notable for producing alumni that have gone on to sponsor and cosponsor many state-based anti-trans bills across the United States, including the Arkansas SAFE Act and the North Dakota Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. 

Through our training programs for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C., we train Members and their staff all year on how to be pro-life champions, how to understand the transgender phenomenon and protect children from it.

From the Family Policy Alliance website 

Founding 

Statesmen Academy was founded by the Family Policy Alliance Foundation in 2016 in order to promote Christianity in American political offices. The Academy exists in response to many Christian lawmakers reportedly feeling pressure to “compromise and shed their principles,” allegedly leading many to retire from public office.

Of their stated purpose, Statesmen Academy says the following on its website. “The Statesmen Academy was established in 2016 to advance this vision by seeding the political system with well-trained Christian, pro-family legislators who will lead their states and our nation with integrity. Through the Statesmen Academy, they are united in fellowship with like-minded legislators from across the nation dedicated to fulfilling God’s calling and focused on making an impact for generations to come.” 

Finances 

As Statesmen Academy is a program from the Family Policy Alliance Foundation, it presumably shares finances with the broader organization. The Family Policy Alliance Foundation, also known as the Family Policy Foundation, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and was founded in 2014. 

The Foundation brings in around $2 million a year, which used to be a net loss after expenses until about 2019. Since then, they have retained between $300,000 and $1 million in income after their expenses.

In terms of income, while no key people receive an income directly from this organization and instead from the sister organization Family Policy Alliance, the Foundation reportedly spends over $700,000 in income expenditures for compensation for various employees, with many thousands more spent on benefits. It is unclear who these individuals are and how much each specifically receives.

In terms of how income is received, most of it is reportedly coming through donations, albeit without specific information listed as to the sources of these donations. It is likely many come from their website, which features many options for donating to the Academy and Family Policy Alliance as a whole.

History of Anti-LGBTQ+ Activism 

Statesmen Academy trains politicians on how to oppose transgender rights in the field of public office. According to Type Investigations, at least five alumni from the Academy have sponsored or co-sponsored anti-trans bills after graduation. 

Sponsored legislation includes bills focusing on women’s sports and gender affirming care. Ohio House Bill 6, also known as the Save Women’s Sports Act, was co-sponsored by Representatives Jena Powell and Derek Merrin. Missouri State Representative and Statesmen Academy graduate Sara Walsh voted for a similar bill, HB 1973 - which would have banned transgender girls from participating on girls’ high school sports teams.

The two most notable pieces of legislation created by Statesmen Academy alumni include the North Dakota Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, sponsored by Rep. Ben Koppelman and the Arkansas Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act, sponsored by Rep. Robin Lundstrum. 

Other bills produced by these alumni are the Wisconsin Help Not Harm Act, sponsored by Rep. Scott Allen, which would put a strong ban on transgender youth from accessing transitioning services and Indiana State Bill 354, sponsored by State Senator Jeff Raatz, which would force schools to out transgender children to their parents.

Another alumnus of the Academy is former Indiana state politician Jim Banks, who has shared numerous anti-trans statements on his social media, is the husband of one of the founders of Statesmen, Amanda Banks.

The Academy’s website advertises the following on the topic of its alumni producing anti-trans bills. “Since 2016, the Statesmen Academy has trained Christian state legislators with the knowledge, skills, and temperament for successful policy making. Nearly 150 alumni from 35 states are working in alliance to save lives, stop the transgender lobby, and protect parental rights. Many of these alumni already have championed pro-life legislation, fought to “save girls' sports”, and led the way to prohibit the dangerous “transitioning” of children in their states.”

Further resources:

• Type Investigations
• Website