Public records show that millions donated to Barack Obama’s foundation were redirected to the Tides Foundation, a progressive fund linked to groups that backed anti-Israel causes and were accused of organizing campus encampments at Ivy League schools.
According to federal tax filings, the Obama Foundation—originally established to build a 19-acre campus in Chicago featuring a museum, athletic center, and community gardens—sent $2 million to Tides in 2022 and 2023.
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The Obama Foundation directed $2 million to the Tides Foundation, a progressive grant-making network often described as a “dark money group” that has supported nonprofits behind anti-Israel protests.
According to the foundation’s filings, the funds were designated to “support local organizations that are working to reduce violence in communities.” Tides, which also receives funding from Democratic donor George Soros, acts as a fiscal sponsor for groups that are not registered as independent charities with the IRS.
The House Ways and Means Committee is currently scrutinizing Tides for channeling donations to groups such as the Adalah Justice Project, Samidoun, and the People’s Forum—organizations accused of helping organize pro-Palestinian demonstrations and college encampments following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel, which killed 1,200 people.
After the story broke Friday, a spokeswoman for the Obama Foundation said the $2 million was distributed to more than 50 organizations nationwide to curb “surging summer violence” and provide “safe spaces” for young people.
The Tides Foundation has received funding from groups involved in organizing anti-Israel encampments at Ivy League universities, including Columbia.
In response to questions, an Obama Foundation spokeswoman said: “The Tides Center played an administrative role in the program by processing grants while Cities United managed the application process.” She added that the grants, distributed over two summers, ranged from $15,000 to $30,000 each.
Tides has also come under scrutiny for its past work with the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, which sued Tides in California Superior Court last year. The lawsuit accuses Tides of “egregious mismanagement” of more than $33 million in funds—a case that remains ongoing.
Beyond its donations to Tides, the Obama Foundation reported giving over $3 million in 2022 and 2023 to Gofundme.org, describing the money only as support for “grassroots leaders to empower girls through education,” according to tax filings.
Meanwhile, the foundation disclosed that it has already spent more than $615 million on construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, slated to open in spring 2026. Despite receiving just $129,320 in donations in 2022, filings show the nonprofit spent more than $27 million on salaries.
The Obama Foundation has already spent more than $615 million on the Obama Presidential Center, which is slated to open in spring 2026.
The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation is suing the Tides Center, accusing it of “egregious mismanagement” of $33 million in donations.
Tax filings also reveal substantial compensation for top Obama Foundation executives. Valerie Jarrett, former senior adviser to President Obama and now the foundation’s CEO, earned more than $750,000 in 2023. Robbin Cohen, executive vice president of the Obama Presidential Center, received nearly $650,000 that same year.
Cohen previously served as president of the Pritzker Realty Group, founded by philanthropist Penny Pritzker, who also sits on the Obama Foundation’s board of directors. Pritzker—whose brother, JB Pritzker, is Illinois’ governor—does not take a salary for her role.
Billionaire investor George Soros is also a backer of the Tides Foundation.
The Obama Presidential Center, now under construction in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, spans 20 acres and has already exceeded its initial $500 million budget. Work on the privately funded project began in 2021 but has been marred by delays, with the massive concrete structure still looming unfinished.
“It’s a monstrosity … it’s taking way too long to finish and it’s going to drive up prices and bring headaches and problems for everyone who lives here. It feels like a washing away of the neighborhood and culture that used to be here,” said Ken Woodward, a lawyer and father of six who grew up in the area, earlier this year.
Neither the Obama Foundation nor the office of Barack and Michelle Obama responded to requests for comment on Thursday.
