Republican Senator JD Vance, who is running for vice president, is in the process of shutting down a charitable organization in Ohio that he created in connection to his best-selling book “Hillbilly Elegy,” according to his campaign. The foundation was established in 2016 to address issues in Ohio and other Rust Belt states, focusing on creating job opportunities, enhancing mental health care, and fighting the opioid crisis. Despite Vance’s ambitions to find solutions at a national level, the organizations faced criticism for achieving very little, with their main notable action being funding an addiction specialist in Ohio for a year.

One of the nonprofits, a foundation, recently filed paperwork to revive its corporate status as it still has funds in its account. However, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign mentioned that this filing doesn’t indicate a revival of the foundation’s activities. Instead, Vance plans to close the accounts and donate the remaining balance to support causes in Appalachia. Records show that the foundation has around $11,000 left in its account, with financial reports from 2017 to 2023 showing that it raised and spent roughly $69,000.

Vance’s initial nonprofit, Our Ohio Renewal, which was created after the release of “Hillbilly Elegy,” was aimed at raising $500,000 annually to support its work. Another organization, the Our Ohio Renewal Foundation, was established later as a charitable group allowing tax-deductible donations. Despite these efforts, the groups struggled to gain traction, partially due to a key organizer battling cancer. The foundation reported raising $221,000 in 2018, with minimal contributions in the following years before ceasing operations in 2021.

During his Senate campaign, Vance faced scrutiny over the residency of addiction specialist Dr. Sally Satel, which was funded by Our Ohio Renewal. Satel’s ties to Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, and the American Enterprise Institute raised concerns. Vance’s team clarified that he was unaware of Satel’s connections to Purdue Pharma when she was selected for the residency in 2018. Satel maintained that her research was independent, and the American Enterprise Institute confirmed a separation between scholars and donors.