Overview: Backed by the wealth of the Simon family, Cindy Simon and Paul Skjodt have been expanding their donor profile in the last few years. Cindy and her sister in particular have been mobilized to oppose the Trump administration and the Skjodts have written large checks to Democratic Party campaign funds like the Senate Majority PAC.
Location: Carmel, IN
Total Donated (2016-2020): $9,311,000
Top Recipients: Senate Majority PAC, American Bridge 21st Century
Key Issues: Democratic Party power, Anti-Poverty
Largest Donation to Date: $1 million to Senate Majority PAC
Profile: Cindy Simon Skjodt is the daughter of shopping mall magnate Melvin Simon, who at the time of his passing was the largest mall operator in the country and owner of the Indiana Pacers basketball team. Since her father’s death in 2009, Simon Skjodt has emerged as a key philanthropist and political donor in the Midwest. Her husband, Paul Skjodt, is a former NHL hockey player who now heads Bulle Investments. The couple founded the Samerian Foundation in 2003 to fund anti-poverty initiatives and general social welfare programs—the foundation is a family organization, named after the Skjodt’s three children, who also serve on the board. Most of their philanthropic work is focused in their home state of Indiana, and Simon Skjodt has worked for a variety of organizations nearby, including the Indiana Pacers Foundation, American Cancer Society Guild, and the Central Indiana Community Foundation.
Often working in tandem with her sister, Deborah Simon, Simon Skjodt has established herself as a key player in Democratic Party politics. Inspired to oppose former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence for his repressive positions on abortion and religious freedom, Simon Skjodt and her sister each gave $1 million to the Democrat’s Senate Majority PAC shortly after Pence won the vice presidency in 2016. The sisters gave significantly to SMP and the House Majority PAC ahead of the midterms, helping Democrats recapture the House. Cindy and her husband also have given to a variety of state-level Democratic Party funds around the country, and backed a handful of Democrats in Congressional races. In the 2020 election cycle, Simon Skjodt’s largest checks have come through her foundation, with $1.75 million going to the anti-Trump American Bridge 21st Century PAC, $750,000 to Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund, and $125,000 Indiana Democratic Congressional Victory.
Ideological Vibe: Solidly liberal. Inspired by the call to resist Republicans and the Trump Administration, the Skjodts cut their biggest checks out to the Democratic Party and its supporting PACs. Most of their non-political philanthropy goes to general anti-poverty and social welfare initiatives in line with the party’s priorities.
Hits and Misses: Somewhat new to the political giving scene, the Skjodts’ large investment in the Senate Majority PAC fell flat when Democrats failed to win a majority in 2018. Still, the couple also gave $1 million to the House Majority PAC ahead of the midterms and have consistently given to Indiana Democrats as they try to flip the stubbornly red state legislature.
Looking Forward: Expect the Skjodts to continue funding Democrats at the national level and at home in Indiana. They make few press statements, but their giving indicates they’re invested in getting as many Democrats elected as possible.
Relationships: Samerian Foundation—Cindy Skjodt, Chair—Paul Skjodt, President; Bulle Investments—Paul Skjodt—President
Contact Information: N/A