Leadership Institute vs. transgender people

Groups Reviewed August 28, 2026 2 min read

The Leadership Institute is a conservative American nonprofit that seeks to “increase the number and effectiveness of conservative activists.” Many prominent anti-transgender activists have trained at Leadership Institute or participated in their events, including “Billboard Chris,” Riley Gaines, and Matt Walsh.

Background

The Leadership Institute (LI) was founded in 1979 by conservative activist Morton C. Blackwell. Blackwell built LI as a training ground for young conservatives, teaching the practical mechanics of campaigns, fundraising, grassroots organizing, and media work.

According to LI’s biography of Blackwell, LI has trained over 300,000 students and generated over $416 million in revenue.

In 2009, LI launched the group blog Campus Reform, where student reporters cover higher education from a conservative perspective. The blog publishes consistently anti-transgender content.

In 2023, Leadership Institute launched the Riley Gaines Center to create “courageous leaders to protect women in America.” Anti-trans activist Riley Gaines embarked on a national speaking tour funded by the Leadership Institute. Many of the 13 events were met by protesters. The website was later shut down.

In 2023, LI was listed as a member of the advisory board for Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation-led policy initiative aimed at reshaping the federal government.