The Obama Foundation has funneled millions into a progressive group accused of backing anti-Israel causes.
Federal filings show the foundation sent $2 million to the Tides Foundation in 2022 and 2023.
The donations were officially earmarked to “support local organizations that are working to reduce violence in communities,” the filings state.
Tides Foundation, funded by Democratic mega-donor George Soros, acts as a fiscal sponsor for groups not registered as charities.
House Ways and Means Committee scrutiny is now focused on Tides.
The group has handled donations for anti-Israel organizations like the Adalah Justice Project, Samidoun, and the People’s Forum.
These organizations helped set up pro-Palestinian demonstrations and college encampments after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. The attacks left 1,200 Israelis dead.
Tides has also been linked to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, the New York Post reported.
That group sued Tides in California Superior Court last year, alleging “egregious mismanagement” of over $33 million in funds. The lawsuit is ongoing.
In addition to Tides, the Obama Foundation sent more than $3 million in grants to GoFundMe.org in 2022 and 2023.
These funds were for undisclosed “grassroots leaders to empower girls through education,” the filings show.
Meanwhile, the foundation admits it has spent over $615 million building the Obama Presidential Center. The center is set to open in spring 2026.
The center sits on 19 acres in Chicago, including a museum, athletic facility, and fruit and vegetable gardens. Locals have criticized its construction.
Ken Woodward, a lawyer and father of six who grew up in the area, said, “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.”
The center received $129,320 in donations in 2022 but spent more than $27 million on salaries.
Top-paid board members include Valerie Jarrett, who made over $750,000 in 2023. Robbin Cohen, executive vice president of the center, earned nearly $650,000 the same year.
Cohen previously led the Pritzker Realty Group. Penny Pritzker, a philanthropist and Obama Foundation board member, is related to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. She does not take a salary.
The center, located in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, is still under construction.
The privately funded project began in 2021 but exceeded its $500 million budget.
Obama and Soros are facing backlash for this wide-scale controversial move.
“The Obama Foundation is sending a $15 million grant to the Soros connected Tides Foundation. The Tides Foundation will funnel it to BLM. Then BLM will do this to America like they did with our USAID money Soros sent in 2020. Obama & Soros want violence,” an X user wrote.
