The Institute no longer discloses its funding sources, stating that it had ended its practice of donor transparency after experiencing the organized harassment of its donors.
[112] According to its brochures, Heartland receives money from approximately 5,000 individuals and organizations, and no single corporate entity donates more than 5% of the operating budget,
[113] although the figure for individual donors can be much higher, with a single anonymous donor providing $4.6 million in 2008, and $979,000 in 2011, accounting for 20% of Heartland's overall budget, according to reports of a leaked fundraising plan.
[114] Heartland states that it does not accept government funds and does not conduct contract research for special-interest groups.
[115]
Oil and gas companies have contributed to the Institute, including $736,500 from
ExxonMobil between 1998 and 2005.
[82][116] Greenpeace reported that Heartland received almost $800,000 from ExxonMobil.
[53] In 2008, ExxonMobil said that it would stop funding to groups skeptical of climate warming, including Heartland.
[116][117][118][
not in citation given] Joseph Bast, president of the Institute, argued that ExxonMobil was simply distancing itself from Heartland out of concern for its public image.
[116]
The Institute has also received funding and support from tobacco companies
Philip Morris,
[3]:234
Altria and
Reynolds American, and
pharmaceutical industry firms
GlaxoSmithKline,
Pfizer and
Eli Lilly.
[114] State Farm Insurance,
USAA and
Diageo are former supporters.
[119] The Independent reported that Heartland's receipt of donations from Exxon and Philip Morris indicates a "direct link...between anti-global warming sceptics funded by the oil industry and the opponents of the scientific evidence showing that passive smoking can damage people's health."
[58] The Institute opposes legislation on passive smoking as infringing on personal liberty and the rights of owners of bars and other establishments.
[120]