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Christopher Rufo
American conservative activist
Christopher Rufo is a conservative activist and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.45 Here are some key details about his background and career:
Professional Roles
- Former Executive Director of the Documentary Foundation, where he directed four documentaries for PBS, Netflix, and international television13
- Senior Fellow and Director of the Initiative on Critical Race Theory at the Manhattan Institute4
- Contributing Editor at City Journal14
- Former Director of the Center on Wealth & Poverty at the Discovery Institute1
Education and Fellowships
- Bachelor's degree from Georgetown University (magna cum laude graduate)1
- Master's degree from Harvard Extension School4
- Former Lincoln Fellow at the Claremont Institute1
- Former Visiting Fellow at The Heritage Foundation3
Activism and Influence
Christopher Rufo has become known for his opposition to critical race theory and his efforts to restrict its teaching in schools and government institutions.5 He has described his strategy as using the term "critical race theory" to encompass various cultural issues he opposes.5 His appearances on Fox News reportedly influenced President Trump to issue an executive order in 2020 banning certain topics from diversity training for government and contractors, though this order was later rescinded by President Biden.5
Documentary Work
Rufo has directed several documentaries, including "America Lost," which explores poverty and social issues in three American cities.13 His documentary work appears to have influenced his views on poverty and social policy, leading him to adopt more conservative positions on these issues.5
Funding and Finances
The Documentary Foundation, which Rufo led, saw a significant increase in funding in 2021, with revenue rising from $155,353 in 2020 to $1,991,274 in 2021.2 A substantial portion of this funding came from donor-advised funds, which can make it difficult to trace the original sources of donations.2
It's worth noting that Rufo has stated he "wound down operations for the Documentary Foundation last year" and has since founded a new nonprofit corporation in Washington State.26
