John Locke Foundation - 2021 Annual Report

One team. One fight.
One voice for freedom.
2021 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report | 1

One team. One fight.
One voice for freedom.
2021 Annual Report

© 2021 John Locke Foundation
4800 Six Forks Road, Suite 220
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 828-3876 | johnlocke.org
All rights reserved.

Contents
Message From Our CEO.........................................................................................Page 7
Fighting For You at the People’s House............................................................ Page 10
Speaking the Truth Through Fact-Based Research..................................... Page 14
Defining Digits..........................................................................................................Page 16
One Voice For Freedom: The Merger................................................................. Page 19
The Carolina Journal..............................................................................................Page 20
Rooted In Principles and Looking Ahead........................................................ Page 25
Why Locke?................................................................................................................Page 26
2021 Annual Report | 5

If Not Us, Then
Who? If Not Now,
Then When?
Message From Our CEO
Just months into my
tenure as CEO, that was
our thought as COVID-19
measures threatened our
civil liberties; violent protests
threatened public safety; and
unprecedented government
spending, along with massive
labor market issues, threatened
our economic stability.
With freedom threatened on
multiple fronts, there was an
urgency for us to examine how
we deploy our resources. At
the same time, we partnered
with the Civitas Institute on
a judicial issues educational
outreach campaign. Civitas CEO
Donald Bryson and I watched
our organizations work together
successfully for a common
purpose. It occurred to us we
should continue working as a
cohesive unit.
From Think Tank to
Battle Tank
Freedom’s opponents will
always have more resources
because they have government,
big government advocates, and
those who stand to gain from
big government to fund them.
The financial disadvantage
just means we have to be
smarter with our resources
and how we deploy them. With
freedom as a common goal
and the authoritarian Left as
the common opponent, we
could ill afford a Hunger Games
scenario between Civitas and
Locke.
On Jan. 1, 2021, the intellectual
forces that have driven three
decades of freedom-forward
research and policy reforms
in North Carolina merged our
capabilities, ensuring that
North Carolinians’ liberties are
robustly defended and advanced
as we enter this next decade.
By merging our capacities,
we could reallocate resources
from duplicative overhead into
expanding research, grassroots
outreach, government
affairs, social media and
communications, and news
coverage — all of which you’ll
read about in the following
pages.
With this change, we’ve
marshaled the strategic forces
2021 Annual Report | 7

DONOR BASE
DONATIONS
2,000
3,000
1,500
2,500
1,000
2,000
2019 2020 2019 2020
1,505
Donors
2,730
Donations
necessary to continue the battle
for freedom and free markets
in the new decade. For the sake
of today and tomorrow’s North
Carolinians, we moved from
think tank to battle tank.
One Team. One
Fight. One Voice For
Freedom.
Egos are checked at the
door. We all have pet issues
and projects that capture
our attention, but ultimately
freedom is the goal. We envision
a North Carolina where freedom
is so much a part of the fabric
of the state that we aren’t even
needed. Until then, we will be
on the front lines. Depending
on what drives freedom’s
opponents at any given
moment, we can respond. Best
of all, we have the ability to go on
offense.
Based on our investors’
response, they like the
combined forces. We are
grateful to and humbled by all
who invested time, treasure, and
faith in us. We want you to be
proud of your partnership with
us. One team. One fight. One
voice for freedom.
Locke’d and loaded,
Amy Cooke
CEO
CEO Amy Cooke joined Locke in
January 2020.
John Locke Foundation | 8

Locke’s Jon Sanders, senior fellow of regulatory studies and
research editor, digs deep into the data to help lawmakers and
citizens better understand the impact of regulatory burdens on the
lives of North Carolinians.
Locke’s Paige Terryberry assesses state fiscal policies, providing
lawmakers guardrails for funding core services while ensuring North
Carolinians keep more of what they earn.
2021 Annual Report | 9

Fighting For You at the
People’s House
John Locke Foundation | 10

Respected By Our Allies.
Feared By Our Foes.
Reputation Is Earned
Credibility is the currency of
public policy. The Locke team
has it, giving us entree into the
discussions where decisions are
made, and giving us the ear of
the leaders who ultimately make
the calls. Thanks to our expanded
capacities, strategic focus, and
strong relationships, Locke's
influence with lawmakers is
stronger than ever.
As of October 2021, the General
Assembly continues this year's
work, yet freedom has already
notched another winning session.
All indications point to more
successes as the fall plays out and
final decisions are made on state
spending and revenue, as well as
other key areas that have direct
impact on how we live our lives and
the opportunities to come.
These new dividends can be traced
directly to the Locke-influenced
tax and regulatory reforms that
have been implemented each year
since 2013. Taxpayers are being
respected through a reformed
rate structure, the state's savings
accounts are at an all-time high,
debt is being paid down, and
investments are being made in
long-term obligations that were
once ignored.
Signed Into Law
HEALTH CARE: A higher threshold
will be implemented for the medical
equipment covered by the state's
antiquated and anti-competitive
Certificate-of-Need law, which
gives bureaucrats the power to
decide who can and can't expand or
build new facilities or add diagnostic
tools to better serve patients.
ELECTION INTEGRITY:
Redistricting rules will now prohibit
the use of political data when
drawing election maps, quashing
the temptation of bad actors
to unfairly influence election
outcomes.
RECODIFICATION OF THE
CRIMINAL CODE: A working group
will proceed with a sweeping review
and clean-up of the sometimes
hidden regulatory crimes buried in
the rules of various agencies of the
state and local governments.
2021 Annual Report | 11

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS:
Locke’s Government Affairs
team fights hard for North
Carolinians
John Locke Foundation | 12

“Credibility is the currency
of public policy. The Locke
team has it.”
Prospects For
Tomorrow
Our legal experts have helped
put Gov. Roy Cooper on notice
that his long-term, singlehanded
vice grip on emergency
powers will be reined in and
shared by other statewide
elected officials.
North Carolinians lacking a
stable broadband connection
are closer to enjoying a level
playing field for education,
health care, and careers, thanks
to our work on regulatory and
technical issues.
Locke’s Terry Stoops adds his education expertise to Lt. Gov. Mark
Robinson’s F.A.C.T.S. Task Force.
Entrepreneurs and job creators
will have an easier pathway
into the marketplace with new
products and services through
our leadership on, and support
of, innovative oversight for
start-ups.
The most vulnerable Tar Heels
will have greater access to
medical care through our work
to free doctors and nurses from
antiquated and unnecessary
rules that prevent them from
practicing where they're most
needed.
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and
lawmakers have tapped our
team to help educate parents
about the ugly Marxist roots
of Critical Race Theory and
how it is being used to shame
and divide children in North
Carolina classrooms.
2021 Annual Report | 13

Speaking the Truth
Through Fact-Based
Research
John Locke Foundation | 14

Return On Investment
Energy Crossroads ▶
A study released in June, called
“Energy Crossroads,” exposed
the need for nuclear energy
and natural gas as we enter into
this next decade. This authors’
well-researched conclusions
stand in opposition to Gov.
Cooper’s misguided energy
recommendations.
Emergency Powers
No governor, regardless of
party, should have unchecked,
long-term power to mandate
and prohibit the actions of
North Carolinians. Locke
established coalitions and
led the calls for reform to the
Emergency Management Act to
restrain unilateral powers of the
governor’s office.
COVID-19 Clarity
Through data-driven analysis,
Locke has separated itself
from the pack, providing
clear-minded perspective on
the threat of the virus to the
populace and the insidious
consequences of government
lockdowns on our children and
on our economy.
Effective Education
The newly-formed Center for
Effective Education immediately
gained traction. Director Terry
Stoops was appointed by Lt. Gov.
Mark Robinson to the F.A.C.T.S.
Task force, which investigates
political bias in the classroom.
The Center has also published
examples of Critical Race
Theory (CRT) being injected
into the classroom, exposing
as a lie the claim that CRT is
not in schools. The Center’s
push for transparency has
helped showcase the need for
accountability to parents related
to CRT and controversial social
studies standards. Rounding out
the Center’s work is a revamp
and expansion of Locke’s North
Carolina History Project, which
will develop unbiased history
curriculum to counter the
dubious 1619 Project.
Taxpayer Bill of RIghts
Locke’s vocal support for
a Taxpayer Bill of Rights
(TABOR) and the importance of
budgetary restraint prompted
budget writers to be very
mindful of TABOR limits when
crafting their 2021-22 budget
plans, despite the availability of
billions in surplus revenue.
The State Budget
The Senate’s budget plan
included a complete phaseout
of the corporate income
tax, a move Locke has urged
lawmakers to adopt.
Election Integrity
The newly-formed Civitas
Center for Public Integrity
critiqued redistricting
legislation, providing
recommendations for
more effective redistricting
guidelines. In September,
Center Director Andy Jackson
testified before the Joint
Redistricting Committee to
offer recommendations on
redistricting guidelines.
2021 Annual Report | 15

Defining Digits:
Connecting With Carolina
9
PUBLISHED RESEARCH
STUDIES
4,567
MEDIA MENTIONS
5
APPEARANCES
TO TESTIFY BEFORE
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES
5
CIVITAS POLLS
46
SHAFTESBURY
SOCIETY EVENTS
2
APPOINTMENTS TO
KEY COMMISSIONS
1 NEW PRODUCTION STUDIO
John Locke Foundation | 16

Defining Digits:
Connecting With Carolina
Facebook
LOCKE
37,652
FOLLOWERS
+205%
CAROLINA JOURNAL
Locke’s Kitty Hawk Club, hosted by communications associate
Brenee Goforth, features engaging interviews with special guests.
8,448
FOLLOWERS
+5.4%
KITTY HAWK CLUB
Locke’s Private FB GRoup
1,412
MEMBERS
+13.9%
Twitter
LOCKE
11,900
FOLLOWERS
CAROLINA JOURNAL
3,274
FOLLOWERS
Email
Subscribers
91,674
SUBSCRIBERS
+113%
RESEARCH NEWSLETTER
12,124 recipients +371%
CJ DAILY
25,038 recipients +835%
ON LOCKE
7,260 recipients +120%
*All growth numbers are from January 1, 2021 to July 2021
2021 Annual Report | 17

Locke and The Carolina Journal featured in...
And many more...
John Locke Foundation | 18

One Voice For Freedom: The Merger
JLF + CIVITAS = LOCKE. Since merging, Locke’s efficiency and effectiveness have poised us for
great success. The team has worked to merge JLF & Civitas assets, establish sound practices, and
streamline services between both organizations.
Internship Program
The Locke internship program
was created and our first cohort
of college students joined our
team for the summer of 2021.
They worked with multiple
departments across the
organization, wrote several
op-eds, and participated in a
summer-long seminar series on
the principles of free-market,
limited government thought.
Facilities
The new office space buildout
has been completed and
will serve as dedicated space
for Carolina Journal employees
and interns. We completed a
media room expansion, with
equipment upgrades and a
state-of-the-art studio space
for expanded video capabilities.
In addition, we have opened our
Baber Conference Center up
for use to the following partner
organizations: NC Center Right,
the North Carolina Institute of
Political Leadership, and the
Bastiat Society.
EA Morris Fellowship
The E.A. Morris program trains
a new generation of leaders,
developing their skills to bring
together public and private
institutions to solve society’s
problems. The program is well
underway for 2021. Applications
for the 2022 cohort opened
October 2021. We are in the
process of creating an alumni
program for former participants.
The merger of JLF and Civitas has been challenging, but
rewarding, as the newly formed Locke has become a force
for freedom across the state. It is our honor to fight for
North Carolinians.
2021 Annual Report | 19

John Locke Foundation | 20

Shifting the Conversation
This year, The Carolina
Journal has focused efforts
on using our resources and
grassroots supporters to shift
the conversation in North
Carolina toward individual
liberty. We focus on the rights
of North Carolinians to run
their businesses, maintain
autonomy over their medical
decisions, and teach their
children critical thinking skills
in an environment free of
intimidation and uncertainty.
To that end, we have been able
to pivot in a quickly changing
news environment to update our
print product, Carolina Journal,
expand social engagement
with grassroots movements
and lawmakers, and build on
relationships with local news
outlets to share content.
Print Edition
This year, Carolina Journal’s print
product was redesigned to be a
larger paper with fewer pages.
We are using the increased
space to change to a more
readable, slightly larger font, an
updated logo and masthead,
using Carolina Journal, because it
is the original state journal, and
a trusted source of printed news
and analysis. We also added
more regular templated features
like Bills to Watch, a monthly
civics lesson, a visual table of
contents, and a more elaborate
double truck with infographics.
The redesign maintains the
tradition of excellence that CJ
readers have come to expect,
but helps readers better
navigate the print product, know
what to expect, and reduce the
labor hours required to produce
it. The print edition is now
printing seven issues per year,
producing a savings of more
than $62,000. Those savings are
being directed into additional
daily resources to cover news
and issues as they unfold.
Digital
Our goal is to update the
website to put more content on
the home page, expand social
engagement, and improve
Search Engine Optimization
(SEO) with training and tracking.
We will launch the redesign of
the CJ website to include more
stories on the home page and
create more cohesive branding
across the products. We are also
adding more briefs, updates,
photo essays, and videos. We
are improving the daily work
rhythm to include more use of
the breaking news banner and
a higher level of story turnover
throughout the day, and more
stories scheduled to post over
the weekends.
With ongoing work on our
strategic plan, we are developing
a close relationship with
stakeholders inside and outside
of the organization to ensure
that each story works toward
Locke goals over the long term.
$62,000
Amount of money saved by reducing
the frequency of the print edition of
The Carolina Journal
2021 Annual Report | 21

John Locke Foundation | 22

Community
Relationships
We are working to build
communication with local
papers and build partnerships
among college groups to
increase visibility among
younger readers and increase
their exposure to the concepts
of liberty and free markets.
In June we launched the CJ
Newswire, which goes to more
than 130 editors of small papers
across the state. The newswire
is distributed each morning
with top-performing CJ stories,
sometimes breaking ones, and
art whenever possible. Papers
began using them immediately,
with about 75 using at least one
article a week, resulting in an
estimated $10,000 per week in
earned media.
Growth Potential
Among the most valuable
growth areas for CJ is the
increasingly close relationship
with Locke’s government affairs
team. On several occasions
over the past few months, we
have been able to coordinate
coverage on key bills and issues
to multiply our organizational
impact. Examples include the
state budget, energy bill, and
donor privacy.
CJ’s new office build out.
What’s Next?
For fall and beyond, we are
working to grow the video
presence of CJTV with the new
build-out and new equipment.
Plans are being formulated to
make full use of the new video
resources through videos and
news updates from the field,
opinion panels, quick lives from
the legislature, and a TikTok
video series explaining basic
principles of free speech,
capitalism, economics, civics
lessons, and interesting stories
from history.
130
Number of editors of small
papers receiving stories via
CJ Newswire
2021 Annual Report | 23

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:
Locke Summer 2021
Interns: Rachel Hall, Kelly
Fitzgerald, Carter Riley, and
Ewan Hayes.
John Locke Foundation | 24

Rooted In Principles and Looking Ahead
Engaging with supporters
and growing the army of
fighters for freedom isn’t simply
‘checking the box’ for the Locke
team. We savor the opportunity
to reach out. Core to our
mission is to persuade others to
join our coalition.
We hope to talk with you at one
of the many events and forums
we have planned.
Locke History Tour
We cherish the rich history of
our state, and the incredible
stories of those who were
instrumental in our state and
federal constitutions. Watch for
our calendar of events that meld
enjoyment and learning.
Grassroots
Networking
We’re stronger as a cohesive,
well-oiled movement. Watch
for opportunities to join us by
engaging and deploying your
voice on critical issues in your
city or county and building the
freedom coalition neighbor by
neighbor. You are the key to the
future.
New Legislator
Training
When elections are over, our
work begins in earnest. We will
continue to host meetings,
education sessions, and oneon-one
conversations to give
new lawmakers the intellectual
grounding to defend and
advance freedom and free
markets. Our training is a Locke
tradition that has planted the
seeds for policy victories and for
the development of statewide
leaders.
Leadership and
Fellowship Conference
In early 2022, join us in the
capital city. Meet conservative
leaders from across the state,
hear the very latest about the
decisions facing our state and
the choices that will determine
freedom’s fate. Watch for more
information in the fall.
2021 Annual Report | 25

Why Locke?
They say that with age comes wisdom. True
enough. But some things are universal, not tied to
time or circumstance. Freedom is untethered and
open to all who choose to embrace it. It's an aching
in the soul to make our own choices, to help others
in need, to explore new opportunities, and to pass
on this love of life to our kids and grandkids.
That's what we do. Fighting for good policy is how
we love our neighbors. We can't do it alone. We need
you to help us fight for what's right - and to win.
Your tax-deductible donation will be put to use
immediately and with precision to secure wins and
advance the goals presented on these pages. If you
like what you see, you will like what's to come.
Freedom is our mission. Follow us.
Visit johnlocke.org to make your gift today,
or call 919-828-3876.
John Locke Foundation | 26

2021 Annual Report | 27

4800 Six Forks Rd., #220
Raleigh, NC 27609
919-828-3876
johnlocke.org
johnlockefoundation
@johnlockenc
John Locke Foundation
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johnlockefoundation
Freedom is our mission.
Follow us.