Bill Gates Allegedly Stops Funding for Progressive Dark Money Group

Gates Foundation Halts Ties with Arabella Advisors

The Gates Foundation has quietly stopped funding a significant dark money network linked to Democrats, according to a report from The New York Times. This decision was announced internally on June 24th. It appears that the foundation has opted to end grants to non-profit funds managed by Arabella Advisors.

Interestingly, the June announcement sent to staff involved in the grant programs didn’t directly mention political motives. Instead, Gates Foundation officials expressed a desire to foster a “deeper” relationship with their partners.

The statement highlighted the importance of working directly with programmatic partners, aiming to build stronger, more enduring relationships while enhancing the legacy they wish to establish.

Arabella Advisors oversees several dark money funds, which have significantly supported various political and advocacy groups. In 2022 alone, Arabella raised over $1 billion, pushing substantial amounts into liberal causes across the country.

In the statement to The New York Times, the Gates Foundation characterized their choice to cut ties with Arabella as a business decision stemming from a routine strategic evaluation of their partnership and operational models.

Furthermore, the foundation stated it would not be making new investments in any Arabella-associated entities, including the consulting firm Redstone Strategy Group. They also indicated plans to not extend ongoing grant periods and aim for an early exit from certain long-term investments.

Founded in 2005 by Eric Kessler, Arabella Advisors has ties to veterans of the Clinton administration and has engaged in various political activities, including funding groups that support Democratic candidates. Notably, they spent over $4 million in 2022 on voter engagement initiatives in key battleground states.

Adding to the discourse, billionaire Elon Musk has contended that both Arabella’s group and ActBlue, a major Democratic funding platform, are part of a broader network of left-leaning NGOs. Reports suggest that some Arabella clients are wary of potential investigations under President Donald Trump and are considering how to navigate this uncertainty.