Claim: Gaia Movement USA was given a large start up grant by some Gaia Movement USA's directors who served on the board of the Swiss charity and in return pledged to donate a comparable sum to the Swiss Gaia while funding other environmental projects.
Evidence: The Tribune reports that four of Gaia Movement USA's directors had served on the board of the Swiss charity, which had given Gaia Movement USA a large start-up grant in 1999. In return, Gaia Movement USA pledged to donate a comparable sum to the Swiss Gaia before funding any other environmental projects.