# Nonprofit linked to SpaceXAI lawyer finances federal design staff

_Published Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 7:29 AM EDT · Policy · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Nonprofit linked to SpaceXAI lawyer finances federal design staff — Primary](https://media.wired.com/photos/6abd22d799edf0dddca3a314/191:100/w_1280,c_limit/Politics_Elon%20Musk%E2%80%99s%20Top%20Lawyer%20Is%20Stocking%20the%20Government%20with%20Employees%20from%20a%20Shadowy%20Nonprofit_v2.jpg)

A nonprofit listing SpaceXAI general counsel James Burnham as managing director employs two people assigned to federal government design work, WIRED reported after reviewing documents. The America by Design Foundation loaned Amittai Groot and John Cafazza to the Office of Personnel Management for work with the National Design Studio, which redesigns government websites and services.

The agreements use a law allowing specialists from nonprofits and other institutions to work temporarily in government. OPM agreed to reimburse the foundation $13,691 a month for Groot, whose listed assignment ended September 30, 2026; the foundation covers his remaining salary and benefits. Cafazza's assignment runs through May 7, 2028, with the foundation apparently covering his full employment cost. The foundation's funding sources are unclear.

## Sources

- [WIRED](https://www.wired.com/story/mysterious-nonprofit-spacexai-national-design-studio-elon-musk-doge/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/RfAzcfMu_ebWAN60c2eOn2
Published: 2026-10-07T11:29:07.730Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-07T10:30:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-07T13:56:43.109Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)