Bill Gates Cuts Off Dem Dark Money Network That He’s Given Millions To

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has severed its long-standing relationship with Arabella Advisors, a prominent consulting firm known for funneling massive sums to Democratic-aligned and leftist nonprofit groups.

The move, described by the foundation as a “business decision,” marks a significant shift in the philanthropic powerhouse’s grantmaking strategy. A June memo from the Gates Foundation informed internal staff that it would begin working directly with grant recipients rather than operating through third-party intermediaries like Arabella.

“Teams are increasingly working directly with programmatic partners — organizations that are deeply embedded in the communities we serve,” the memo stated. The foundation said this approach is designed to build “deeper, more durable relationships” and better reflect the legacy it hopes to leave behind.

Arabella Advisors has been a central hub in the Democratic funding machine, managing a sprawling web of activist nonprofits and political projects. The Gates Foundation has contributed nearly $500 million to organizations within the Arabella network over the past 16 years.

While the Gates Foundation publicly framed the split as a strategic restructuring, the decision has sparked concern among progressive advocacy groups that have depended on the massive flow of Gates money filtered through Arabella’s network.

Arabella has faced growing scrutiny from conservative watchdogs and lawmakers, who point to its complex structure and lack of transparency. In 2023, Americans for Public Trust filed a formal IRS complaint accusing Arabella-linked nonprofits of misusing funds to benefit Arabella founder Eric Kessler.

The Gates Foundation’s retreat comes amid broader federal pressure on Democrat fundraising infrastructure. The Trump administration has intensified investigations into entities like ActBlue, the Democratic Party’s chief online fundraising arm, as part of a broader crackdown on dark money financing in American politics.

With Gates stepping away, a key pillar of funding for leftist nonprofit infrastructure may be starting to wobble.