Black Lives Matter cashes in with $100 million from …
For all its talk of being a street uprising, Black Lives Matter is increasingly awash in cash, raking in pledges of more than $100 million from liberal foundations and others eager to contribute to what has become the grant-making cause du jour.
The Ford Foundation and Borealis Philanthropy recently announced the formation of the Black-Led Movement Fund [BLMF], a six-year pooled donor campaign aimed at raising $100 million for the Movement for Black Lives coalition.
That funding comes in addition to more than $33 million in grants to the Black Lives Matter movement from top Democratic Party donor George Soros through his Open Society Foundations, as well as grant-making from the Center for American Progress.
The BLMF provides grants, movement building resources, and technical assistance to organizations working advance the leadership and vision of young, Black, queer, feminists and immigrant leaders who are shaping and leading a national conversation about criminalization, policing and race in America, said the Borealis announcement.
In doing so, however, the foundations have aligned themselves with the staunch left-wing platform of the Movement for Black Lives, which unveiled a policy agenda shortly after the fund was announced accusing Israel of being an apartheid state guilty of genocide.
Released Aug. 1, the platform also calls for defunding police departments, race-based reparations, breaking, voting rights for illegal immigrants, fossil-fuel divestment, an end to private education and charter schools, a universal basic income, and free college for blacks.
PHOTOS: Top .45-caliber handguns for home defense
As far as critics are concerned, the grab-bag platform combined with the staggering underwriting commitment offer more evidence that Black Lives Matter is being used as a conduit for left-wing politics as usual.
Its about time people woke up to the fact that big money is using people as pawns to stoke racial hatred and further their global agenda, said the Federalist Papers Projects C.E. Dyer.
Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, said corporations and others may want to think twice about partnering with the Ford Foundation, the fifth-largest U.S. philanthropy with $12.4 billion in assets.
The Ford Foundation has traditionally been leftist, at least since the 1970s, on law-enforcement matters. So its not a huge surprise, but its certainly disappointing, said Mr. Johnson. I guess potential donors may want to look at the [Black Lives Matter] movement and see the damage, destruction and murders that theyve left in their wake.
For Black Lives Matter, the grant-making partnership isnt risk free, lending legitimacy to the movement but also credence to those who say it has strayed from the concerns of black Americans calling for equal treatment at the hands of police.
I think whoevers in charge of vetting a grant like that didnt do their homework, said Mr. Johnson. Or maybe this was already in the works before they realized what exactly they were dealing with before this platform came outbefore it became more apparent that its become todays Velcro for what the leftist-fringe movement desires.
And thats a shame, he said, because instead of having a serious movement that might have been a basis for dialogue and improving relations in communities, especially communities of color, its kind of become in some ways a very violent movement, in some ways a very, very far-left [movement] with an almost statist agenda.
Borealis and Ford did not return requests Wednesday asking for comment, but one of the newly launched funds partners, the Movement Strategy Center in Oakland, California, praised the foundations for bringing resources to this transformative movement.
Ensuring that all Black Lives Matter, in this land and around the world, will require an infusion of assets into Black communities, said the center in an Aug. 8 statement.
In their July 19 announcement, Ford Foundation program officers Brook Kelly-Green and Luna Yasui said that, Now is the time to call for an end to state violence directed at communities of color.
And now is the time to advocate for investment in public servicesincluding but not limited to police reformtogether with education, health, and employment in communities for people that have historically had less opportunity and access to all those things, they said. These are the reasons we support the Movement for Black Lives.
Ford and Borealis are hardly alone: They said the fund will complement the important work of charities including the Hill-Snowden Foundation, Solidaire, the NoVo Foundation, the Association of Black Foundation Executives, the Neighborhood Funders Group, anonymous donors, and others.
In addition to raising $100 million for the Movement for Black Lives, the Black-Led Movement Fund will collaborate with Benedict Consulting on the organizational capacity building needs of a rapidly growing movement.
Ford has locked horns over Israel before: In 2003, the foundation announced after years of criticism that it would not renew its funding for leftist causes through the New Israel Fund, according to Forward.
The Black Lives Matter movement exploded in August 2014 after an officer shot dead unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Since then, police shootings of black men have prompted rioting and protests in dozens of U.S. cities, as well as the deaths of eight officers in separate incidents this year at demonstrations in Baton Rouge and Dallas.
Mr. Johnson confirmed that his organization, an advocacy group for police, has no grant-making alliance with Ford.
We dont receive any funding from Ford. But yeah, thanks very much, he said with a laugh.
Not that he wouldnt take it. Of course it would come in handy look at whats going on across this country with the attacks on police, Mr. Johnson said. Were not looking for a handout from Ford, but it would be nice to see groups like that or George Soros try to give some nuts-and-bolts help for people who are hurting, instead of throwing money around on grand schemes.
Go here to read the rest:
Black Lives Matter cashes in with $100 million from ...
- Inside the Big Issue: The rise and fall of Black Lives Matter - Big Issue - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Five Years After the Murder of George Floyd, New Survey Measures Views on Race, Policing and Black Lives Matter - Good Faith Media - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd TV review tracing the transatlantic spread of Black Lives Matter - Financial Times - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Minneapolis still broken, divided and suffering 5 years after George Floyd death: Black Lives Matter was never here - New York Post - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Black Lives Matter: Will Donald Trump pardon Derek Chauvin, convicted of killing George Floyd? What we kn - Times of India - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- BC teacher who referred to Black Lives Matter protesters as 'animals' gets reprimanded - Infotel.ca - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Teachers Are Building the Future. Trump Is Tearing It Down. - Black Lives Matter - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Megyn Kelly criticizes Met Gala's Tailoring Black Style theme: "It was basically Black Lives Matter at the Met" - Media Matters - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Black Lives Matter Plaza's end like its beginning is a barometer of the times - Roanoke Times - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Seattle Parks working on plan for new memorial in Cal Anderson marking CHOP and the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests UPDATE - CHS Capitol Hill... - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Black Lives Matter Plaza's end like its beginning is a barometer of the times - Ottumwa Courier - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Black Lives Matter Plaza's end like its beginning is a barometer of the times - southernminn.com - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Black Lives Matter Plaza's end like its beginning is a barometer of the times - thederrick.com - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- D.C.'s Black Lives Matter mural will be erased. Look back at the iconic street painting - NPR - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- D.C. Mayor Orders Removal of Black Lives Matter Mural She Commissioned After House GOP Threatens to Do It for Her - PEOPLE - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Reconstruction of D.C.s Black Lives Matter Plaza to begin next week - Washington Times - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Washington, DC, to remove 'Black Lives Matter' painting from street near White House, mayor says - The Associated Press - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Bigger fish to fry: Why DC is making changes to Black Lives Matter Plaza painting - WTOP - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Washington mayor says Black Lives Matter Plaza near White House to be redesigned - Reuters - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Black Lives Matter Plaza to be redesigned as part of new DC mural project - FOX 5 DC - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia leads attack on Black Lives Matter Plaza. What we know - Online Athens - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Suggests Black Lives Matter Plaza Will Be Painted Over - The New York Times - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC mayor to remove Black Lives Matter Plaza amid pressure from White House - NBC Washington - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Once declared 'permanent,' Washington, D.C.'s Black Lives Matter Plaza will soon be painted over - Fast Company - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Opinion | D.C. can respect Black Lives Matter without street art - The Washington Post - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC Mayor suggests city will paint over Black Lives Matter Plaza near White House - The Hill - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- D.C. mayor to ditch Black Lives Matter mural, street name to avoid scrum with GOP on Capitol Hill - Washington Times - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Black Lives Matter Mural near White House will be replaced with a new mural as part of DCs America 250 mural project - PoPville - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - KCBY.com 11 - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - WGME - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - NTV - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - KRCR - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - WRGB - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - WPEC - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - WEAR - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - FoxReno.com - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - krcgtv.com - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - Dayton 24/7 Now - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DC crews to begin 'reconstruction' of Black Lives Matter Plaza - ktvo.com - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Federal judge inclined to side with USPS over seized Black Lives Matter merch - Courthouse News Service - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Analysis: Whatever happened to Black Lives Matter? - Church Times - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- How old was Trayvon Martin when he died? A look back at the teen's death that sparked Black Lives Matter Movement - Soap Central - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- On Trayvon Martins 30th Birthday, Black Lives Still Matter - Word In Black - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action in Olympia School District from Feb. 3-7 - The Jolt News - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Trump could undo everything the UK learnt from Black Lives Matter - inews - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Posters with Black Lives Matter term to be voted on by Lakeville school board - CBS News - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Lakeville school board to vote Tuesday on use of "Black Lives Matter" posters - CBS News - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Art by African Americans: From the Protest of the 60's to the Age of Black Lives Matter - TAPinto.net - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Community continues to demand answers concerning Rayvon Shahid during Black Lives Matter protests - Flint Courier News - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Black Lives Matter protests police shooting of 17-year-old in Flint - WJRT - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Black Lives Matter Flint hosts three-day protest for death of 17-year-old Rayvon Shahid - WEYI - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Davis, Black Lives Matter say police discipline bill is being rushed - WVPE Public Media - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Revealed: Starmer called for an export ban on police gear to Trump during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2 - Daily Mail - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Black Lives Matter activist to vote for Donald Trump: 'I definitely would not be supporting Kamala Harris' - Fox News - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Black Lives Matter activist to vote for Donald Trump: 'I definitely would not be supporting Kamala Harris' - MSN - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Black Lives Matter activist to vote for Donald Trump: 'I definitely would not be supporting Kamala Harris' - AOL - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Lake County Black Lives Matter co-founder going to jail on contempt charge: They said I was trying to incite a riot - Chicago Tribune - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Portland Book Festival: Robert Samuels, author of His Name Is George Floyd, reflects on the police killing that ignited Black Lives Matter - Oregon... - October 31st, 2024 [October 31st, 2024]
- Jury awards $6M to family members of Black Lives Matter protester killed by a car on Seattle freeway - Yahoo! Voices - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Jury awards $6M to family members of Black Lives Matter protester killed by a car on Seattle freeway - The Associated Press - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- City of Ft. Lauderdale could stand trial following class action lawsuit after judge rules police have immunity in Black Lives Matter protester case -... - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Participating in Black Lives Matter Protest Isn't Protected by Federal Labor Law - Reason - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- NYPD texted one another to Kick their a before mass arrests at Black Lives Matter protest - Gothamist - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- One decade later: How Ferguson boosted the Black Lives Matter movement - The Alestle - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- NYPD texted one another to Kick their a before mass arrests at Black Lives Matter protest - R Street - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- From Ferguson to Minneapolis, AP reporters recall flashpoints of the Black Lives Matter movement - Toronto Star - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- J.D. Vances 2020 Black Lives Matter Lie Shows the Threat He Really Is - The New Republic - August 18th, 2024 [August 18th, 2024]
- How Do I Put This? J.D. Vance Thinks Amazon Funded the Black Lives Matter Movement. - Esquire - August 18th, 2024 [August 18th, 2024]
- Black Lives Matter Attacks Democratic Party for Anointing Kamala Harris without Primary Votes - National Review - July 24th, 2024 [July 24th, 2024]
- Black Lives Matter slams Democrats for 'anointing' Kamala Harris without primary vote - The National Desk - July 24th, 2024 [July 24th, 2024]
- California teachers were right to severely punish girl, 7, for writing these words under Black Lives Matter dr - Daily Mail - July 24th, 2024 [July 24th, 2024]
- A 2020 Black Lives Matter protest is revived as a neighborhood celebration in Mantua - WHYY - July 14th, 2024 [July 14th, 2024]
- Plymouth man accused of causing tens of thousands in damage to church, Pride and Black Lives Matter flags - Fall River Reporter - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Florida Republicans terrorized a teacher for her Black Lives Matter flag but now she's prevailed - Salon - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- Black Lives Matter sign to return. Sacramento's Oak Park monument will receive updates - ABC10.com KXTV - May 7th, 2024 [May 7th, 2024]
- Cincinnati Artist Collective Creates Sculptural Series that Spells Out Black Lives Matter - Cincinnati CityBeat - May 7th, 2024 [May 7th, 2024]
- Viral SF Karen who went on rant against Fil Am man speaks out AsAmNews - AsAmNews - May 7th, 2024 [May 7th, 2024]
- Black History Matters; MET Gala Attendee Lewis Hamilton Is Taking On The World With One Outfit at a Time - EssentiallySports - May 7th, 2024 [May 7th, 2024]
- Court revives fired Whole Foods worker's lawsuit over Black Lives Matter masks - New York Post - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- BLM Protests: Black Women Police Chiefs Led To More Peace - NewsOne - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]