The New Pluralists and the Reshaping of American Democracy
In the labyrinthine world of American philanthropy and political influence, few figures loom as large as Stephen Heintz, the president of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. His role in the “New Pluralists” initiative, a coalition of billionaires and foundations aiming to ‘redefine democracy’, has recently come under scrutiny, particularly in light of its connections to domestic unrest and international diplomacy.
As of November 10, 2025, the implications of Heintz’s vision are more relevant than ever, especially following the investigation into Armed Queers SLC and its leader, Ermiya Fanaeian, for potential foreknowledge of the assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk.
The Architect of Change
Stephen Heintz, a seasoned diplomat and philanthropist, has dedicated his career to strengthening democratic institutions. As the president of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, he oversees an endowment of approximately $1.2 billion, which he leverages to advance social change on a global scale. Heintz’s approach, termed “acupuncture philanthropy,” focuses on triggering systemic change through modest financial investments, a strategy that has positioned the Fund as a leader in movements like Divest-Invest from fossil fuels.
His influence extends beyond philanthropy. Heintz chairs the board of the Quincy Institute and serves on the boards of the International Crisis Group and the Rockefeller Archive Center, indicating a deep entanglement with both domestic and international policy arenas. His background in public service for the state of Connecticut and consultancy roles with the United Nations Development Programme and the Carnegie Council further underscore his commitment to a globalist vision of governance.
The New Pluralists: A Coalition of Influence
The “New Pluralists” emerged from a 2017 meeting at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s Pocantico Conference Center, bringing together representatives from the Soros, Koch, Rockefeller, and Ford foundations. This coalition, aimed at rethinking how philanthropy influences politics, has since shaped significant policy initiatives, including the Biden administration’s “United We Stand” summit in 2022. The summit, which committed $1 billion to combat extremism, was partly bankrolled by the New Pluralists, with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) playing a pivotal role in its organization.The New Pluralists’ strategy is not merely financial but ideological.
They seek to “bridge divides” by flooding the nation with NGOs that promote a progressive agenda, often targeting conservative groups like Turning Point USA as obstacles. This approach was evident in the ADL’s decision to list Turning Point USA in its Extremism database, a move that coincided with a Department of Justice subpoena related to the Arctic Frost investigation.
The More Perfect Initiative: Five Goals for Democratic Renewal
Central to Heintz’s vision is the “More Perfect” initiative, which outlines five sustainable democracy goals: civic learning, national service, bridging divides, elections and governance, and access to trusted information. These goals, informed by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences’ “Our Common Purpose” report, aim to reinvent American democracy for the 21st century.
- Civic Learning: This goal emphasizes educating Americans on democratic values and institutions, often framed as a means to combat disinformation. Critics argue it serves as a vehicle for ideological indoctrination, promoting a narrative that aligns with the New Pluralists’ vision.
- National Service: Proposing a new “American rite of passage,” this goal advocates for mandatory service that compels young people to engage with diverse communities. While framed as a civic duty, it raises concerns about coerced labor and the politicization of youth.
- Bridging Divides: This initiative seeks to bring together disparate groups through community projects, but its underlying aim appears to be the co-optation of local activism into a broader progressive framework. The targeting of Turning Point USA as an obstacle highlights the divisive nature of this goal.
- Elections and Governance: The push for ranked-choice voting and court packing, coupled with a mandate for officials to “serve the public trust,” suggests a restructuring of American governance to favor progressive policies. This goal also aims to eliminate criticism of the electoral system, potentially stifling dissent.
- Trusted Information: Perhaps the most contentious, this goal seeks to combat disinformation by aligning media and public discourse with a predefined set of “shared truths.” The involvement of public media outlets like PBS and NPR, along with figures like Ken Burns, indicates a concerted effort to control the narrative.
I encourage you to watch this video to the end to understand just what a massive effort this is. This is the master plan being laid out — reinventing US governance from the bottom up.
— DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) November 9, 2025
The man speaking in this video, Stephen Heintz, is the architect and is the president of the… pic.twitter.com/nmsRe8YHkf
Connections to Recent Events
The investigation into Armed Queers SLC, a group under scrutiny for possible foreknowledge of the Charlie Kirk assassination, has brought the New Pluralists’ influence into sharp relief. Ermiya Fanaeian, the group’s leader, was recognized by Utah Global Diplomacy, a State Department-affiliated NGO, for her work advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This recognition, now scrubbed from the NGO’s website, underscores the deep ties between these initiatives and government entities.Fanaeian’s involvement in the Dignity Index, a project linked to the “United We Stand” summit, further illustrates the New Pluralists’ reach. The Dignity Index, aimed at promoting civil discourse, was part of a broader effort to reshape civic culture, yet its association with a group advocating armed resistance against capitalism raises questions about the initiative’s true intentions.
A Long-Term Strategy
The New Pluralists’ efforts are not confined to recent events but are part of a long-term strategy culminating in 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. With 33 billion dollars annually and over 215,000 employees committed to these goals, the scale of their ambition is staggering. The involvement of the State Department and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), through figures like Rachel Kleinfeld, indicates a coordinated effort to infiltrate and transform American governance from the bottom up.ConclusionStephen Heintz’s vision, as articulated through the New Pluralists and the More Perfect initiative, represents a profound challenge to traditional American democracy. By leveraging vast financial resources and strategic partnerships, this coalition seeks to redefine civic culture, electoral processes, and information dissemination. The recent investigation into Armed Queers SLC serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of such ambitions, highlighting the need for vigilance in the face of efforts to reshape the nation’s democratic foundation.As America approaches this critical juncture, the question remains: will the New Pluralists succeed in their coup, or will the resilience of democratic principles prevail? The answer may well determine the future of the United States for generations to come.