The Sixteen Thirty Fund (sometimes styled “1630 Fund”) is a left-of-center lobbying and advocacy organization founded in 2008.[1] Sixteen Thirty Fund often operates alongside its charitable “sister” nonprofit New Venture Fund, which provides similar funding and fiscal sponsorship services to center-left organizations. Both groups, along with the Hopewell Fund and Windward Fund, are administered by Arabella Advisors, a Washington, D.C.-based philanthropy consulting firm that caters to left-leaning clients.
According to its founding documents, the Sixteen Thirty Fund was created with seed funding from Americans United for Change (AUFC), ACORN, USAction, the Sierra Club, and Working America. [2]
Both Sixteen Thirty Fund and New Venture Fund have been criticized as “dark money” organizations, serving as a way for left-leaning groups to anonymously funnel money toward various advocacy issues, such as attacking vulnerable Republicans or pushing state-level environmental restrictions. [3] [4] The left-leaning Politico has called the Sixteen Thirty Fund a “massive ‘dark money’ network” responsible for “boost[ing] Democrats” in the 2018 midterm elections, a “liberal dark-money behemoth,” a “secretly funded nonprofit,” and “one of the Left’s financial hubs” responsible for “attacking Republican senators” in 2019. [5] [6] [7] The Sixteen Thirty Fund has also been characterized as one of the “key groups founded to resist Trump” by the left-leaning Atlantic. [8]
In its 2018 Form 990, New Venture Fund shows a $26.7 million grant to the Sixteen Thirty Fund for “capacity building.” [9] Sixteen Thirty Fund’s Form 990 of the same year, also shows zero employees, and notes in Schedule O that “New Venture Fund (NVF) is the paymaster for Sixteen Thirty Fund payroll. NVF pays the salary and immediately invoices Sixteen Thirty Fund, which reimburses the full amount.” [10]
Arabella and its nonprofit network have been criticized as “dark money” funders both for channeling hundreds of millions of dollars to left-wing organizations and for hosting hundreds of “pop-up groups”—websites designed to look like standalone nonprofits that are really projects of an Arabella-run nonprofit. [11]
In November 2019, Politico criticized the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the 501(c)(4) advocacy wing of Arabella’s nonprofit network, as a “little-known,” “massive ‘dark money’ group [that] boosted Democrats” in the 2018 midterm elections with $140 million. “The money contributed to efforts ranging from fighting Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and other Trump judicial nominees to boosting ballot measures raising the minimum wage and changing laws on voting and redistricting in numerous states,” the left-leaning website reported. Politico also noted that Sixteen Thirty Fund’s biggest single donation (made anonymously) was for $51.7 million, “more than the group had ever raised before in an entire year before President Donald Trump was elected,” adding that “the group’s 2018 fundraising surpassed any amount ever raised by a left-leaning political nonprofit.” [12]
The left-leaning Washington Post further criticized Arabella’s Sixteen Thirty Fund as a “big campaign donor” in a November 21, 2019 opinion by the editorial board, which called on Congress to change nonprofit disclosure laws, noting in particular a $26.7 million anonymous donation to the Fund. [13] However, the Post also failed to connect the Sixteen Thirty Fund to Arabella Advisors and its other three nonprofits.
In a November 24, 2019 letter to the editor published by the Washington Post, Capital Research Center president Scott Walter identified the $26.7 million donation as originating with the New Venture Fund, the largest of Arabella’s in-house nonprofits, and confirmed Politico’s suspicion that the Sixteen Thirty Fund is “part of a larger network of dark money.” [14]
Seed Capital from the Left
The Sixteen Thirty Fund is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. According to its original filings with the IRS (archived here), the group received $350,745 in seed capital in 2009 from five left-wing organizations, including the scandal-ridden ACORN, which collapsed in 2010. [15]
- Americans United for Change (AUFC): $221,745
- ACORN: $25,000
- USAction: $22,000
- Sierra Club: $10,000
- Working America: $72,000
Americans United for Change (AUFC) has been characterized as a “dark money group” by the left-leaning Sunlight Foundation for its support of left-wingcauses and Democratic Party candidates. The group is headed by Brad Woodhouse, a controversial Democratic operative who also runs Protect Our Care, a project of the Sixteen Thirty Fund. [16] AUFC is heavily funded by labor unions, including the AFL-CIO and AFSCME. [17]
ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) is a now-defunct community organizing network that once had hundreds of affiliates nationwide. The group, which provided voter registration and mobilization efforts for left-wing causes beginning in the 1970s, disbanded in 2010 after declaring bankruptcy following a loss of federal funding. [18]
USAction was a center-left advocacy nonprofit created by activist Heather Booth in 1999 as a successor to the scandal-ridden consumer advocacy group Citizen Action, founded by Ralph Nader in the 1970s. USAction was a key player in the creation of Health Care for America Now (HCAN), a major coalition of center-left groups formed in 2007 to help pass the Democratic Party’s healthcare overhaul bill (which later became Obamacare). [19] HCAN was later revived as a joint project of the Sixteen Thirty Fund and the New Venture Fund, which manages the HCAN Education Fund. [20] In 2016, USAction merged with a number of other left-wing groups to form People’s Action.
The Sierra Club is one of the oldest and most powerful environmentalist organizations in the country, known for funding many activist groups on the Left.
Working America is a center-left labor union characterized as the “community affiliate” of the AFL-CIO. The group was formed in 2003 and claims more than 3 million members, many of whom it encourages to canvass neighborhoods during elections in order to support left-wing and Democratic Party political candidates. [21]
Low-Profile Funding Activities
The Sixteen Thirty Fund keeps a low profile compared with comparable nonprofit organizations. The organization boasts a one-page website, no Facebook page and no Twitter account. The fund has received little news coverage in the past few years. What little press coverage to be found centered on the 2013 effort to recall Democratic sate legislators in Colorado over their votes on a controversial gun-control measure.
That year, Sixteen Thirty Fund donated $35,000 to a Colorado group founded to defended Democratic state Sen. Angela Giron (D-Pueblo) from a recall effort over her votes for more gun control in the state. [22] Giron lost the effort after only 44 percent voted to retain her. [23] During the same recall effort, Sixteen Thirty Fund donated another $35,000 to a group supporting Colorado state Sen. John Morse (D-Colorado Springs), who also supported stricter gun control. [24] Morse also lost the recall vote when 51 percent voted to oust him. [25]
In 2017, the Washington Free Beacon tied the Sixteen Thirty Fund to progressive efforts to hide big money fueling criticism of President Donald Trump’s nominees to several Cabinet-level posts. Targeted nominees included businessman Andy Puzder (who would later withdraw as nominee for Secretary of Labor) and Steven Mnuchin (later confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury). [26]
Another publication, Tax Analysts, noticed Sixteen Thirty Fund’s financial support for “Tax March” rallies planned to protest President Trump’s unwillingness to release his tax returns. It is unclear how much Sixteen Thirty Fund contributed to the march. [27]
“Dark Money” Funder
The Sixteen Thirty Fund, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that isn’t required by the IRS to disclose its donors, has been criticized by groups on the political Left and Right as a “dark money” funder.
In 2018, the left-leaning website Politico profiled the Sixteen Thirty Fund, noting that it spent “$141 million on more than 100 left-leaning causes during the [2018] midterm election”: [28]
Sixteen Thirty Fund played a role in the battle for the House of Representatives in 2018, a crucial contest for Democrats trying to seize back power after Trump’s rise. The election featured dozens of Democratic candidates who decried the influence of money in politics on the campaign trail.
In 2015, the Fund provided millions in grants to 29 different organizations. That year, Sixteen Thirty Fund’s largest grant—exceeding $1.9 million—went to the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, the “educational” arm of the League of Conservation Voters, an organization activating and rallying environmentalists to political activism. [29]
Amy Kurtz, Sixteen Thirty Fund’s executive director, has called the organization’s “dark money” spending “just playing by the rules.” [30]
Ballot Initiatives
On September 4, 2018, the Missouri-based Kansas City Star reported a $3 million donation from Sixteen Thirty Fund to Raise Up Missouri, a left-wing PAC seeking to raise the state’s minimum wage to $12 per hour through a 2018 ballot initiative. Sixteen Thirty Fund also reportedly gave $500,000 to the PAC in 2017, and an additional $500,000 to it in May 2018. [31]
2018 Midterm Election
The Sixteen Thirty Fund spent approximately $740,000 in independent expenditures and electioneering communications during the 2018 midterm election.[32]
Sixteen Thirty Fund: 2018 Midterm Outside Spending | ||
---|---|---|
Sixteen Thirty Fund Project | Amount | Expenditure Type |
Demand Justice | $317,696 | Electioneering Communications |
Floridians for a Fair Shake | $286,113 | Electioneering Communications |
Floridians for a Fair Shake | $7,537 | Independent Expenditure |
SoCal Healthcare Coalition | $120,149 | Electioneering Communications |
SoCal Healthcare Coalition | $5,875 | Independent Expenditure |
Ohioans for Economic Opportunity | $2,721 | Independent Expenditure |
Sum: | $740,091 |
Lobbying for H.R. 1 (2019-2020)
In November 2019, the Sixteen Thirty Fund hired lobbyists Dana Singiser of Keefe Strategies and former chief of staff to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) Maura Keefe to lobby in favor of H.R. 1, an anti-dark money campaign finance and ethics reform bill (named the “For the People Act 2019”) that passed the House in March, 2019. [33] The bill aims to expand access to voting, create stronger ethics rules for public servants, and combat the influence of money in politics. [34]
In September 2020, Sixteen Thirty Fund executive director Amy Kurtz explained to NBC News that her organization lobbied for H.R. 1: [35]
We support and have lobbied in favor of reform to the current campaign finance system (through H.R. 1), but we are equally committed to following the current laws to level the playing field for progressives in this election.
2020 Presidential Election
The New York Times reported in July 2020 that the Sixteen Thirty Fund had donated $5.7 million to the Democratic super PAC American Bridge 21st Century, which had paid for multiple advertisements critical of President Trump in key battleground states. [36]
The Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $4.3 million in electioneering communications (political ads) in the 2020 election: [37]
Sixteen Thirty Fund: 2020 Election Outside Spending | ||
---|---|---|
Sixteen Thirty Fund Project | Amount | Expenditure Type |
Demand Justice | $3,732,553 | Electioneering Communications |
Health Care Voter | $425,000 | Electioneering Communications |
Democracy for All 2021 | $105,372 | Electioneering Communications |
Protect Our Care | $84,748 | Electioneering Communications |
Total: | $4,347,673 |
According to its Form 990 filing (archived here), the Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $13,240,753 on political campaign activities in 2019. [38] That included grants to Democratic-supported PACs:
- Change Now Inc.: $25,000
- Forward Majority Action: $290,000
- Future Forward USA PAC: $1,415,274
- House Majority PAC: $500,000
- League of Conservation Voters Victory Fund: $6,787,500
- Real Justice PAC: $100,000
- National Democratic County Officials: $50,000
- Senate Majority Project: $100,000
In the 2019-2020 election cycle, the Sixteen Thirty Fund donated $43.5 million to PACs and super PACs aligned with Democrats: [39]
Recipient PAC | Year | Contribution |
---|---|---|
Victory 2020 | 2020 | $5,700,000 |
Change Now | 2020 | $3,500,000 |
Unite the Country | 2020 | $3,500,000 |
Priorities USA Action | 2020 | $3,500,000 |
Take Back 2020 | 2020 | $3,150,000 |
NextGen Climate Action Committee | 2020 | $2,500,000 |
Black PAC | 2020 | $2,250,000 |
AB (American Bridge) PAC | 2020 | $2,200,000 |
AB (American Bridge) PAC | 2020 | $2,000,000 |
Victory 2020 | 2020 | $2,000,000 |
PACRONYM | 2020 | $2,000,000 |
Forward Majority Action | 2020 | $1,500,000 |
Change Now | 2020 | $1,500,000 |
Future Forward USA PAC | 2020 | $1,500,000 |
Future Forward USA PAC | 2020 | $1,415,274 |
NextGen Climate Action Committee | 2020 | $1,200,000 |
Future Forward USA PAC | 2020 | $1,000,000 |
House Majority PAC | 2019 | $500,000 |
Sunrise PAC | 2020 | $500,000 |
Change Now | 2020 | $400,000 |
The Lincoln Project | 2020 | $300,000 |
Forward Majority Action | 2020 | $250,000 |
Forward Majority Action | 2019 | $250,000 |
Family Friendly Action PAC | 2020 | $110,000 |
People's Action Power | 2020 | $100,000 |
Real Justice PAC | 2019 | $100,000 |
Change Now | 2020 | $100,000 |
Unite the Country | 2020 | $100,000 |
Family Friendly Action PAC | 2020 | $50,000 |
National Democratic County Officials | 2019 | $50,000 |
Montana Hunters and Anglers Leadership Fund | 2020 | $50,000 |
Working Families Party (WFP) Independent Expenditure Committee | 2020 | $50,000 |
Change Now | 2020 | $47,003 |
Forward Majority Action | 2020 | $30,000 |
Change Now | 2019 | $25,000 |
Change Now | 2020 | $19,402 |
Change Now | 2020 | $12,089 |
Change Now | 2020 | $1,184 |
Change Now | 2019 | $655 |
Change Now | 2019 | $230 |
Change Now | 2019 | $21 |
Change Now | 2019 | $20 |
Change Now | 2020 | $20 |
Change Now | 2019 | $20 |
Change Now | 2020 | $19 |
Change Now | 2019 | $19 |
Change Now | 2020 | $19 |
Change Now | 2019 | $19 |
Change Now | 2020 | $19 |
Change Now | 2019 | $19 |
Change Now | 2019 | $18 |
Change Now | 2019 | $18 |
Change Now | 2019 | $17 |
Change Now | 2019 | $17 |
Change Now | 2020 | $17 |
Change Now | 2019 | $17 |
Grand Total: | $43,461,136 |
Major recipients of Sixteen Thirty Fund contributions include Victory 2020, a Democrat-aligned PAC (created to support American Bridge 21st Century and Unite the Country) whose total revenues (as of September 2020) were $5.9 million, $5.7 million of which came from Sixteen Thirty Fund; Unite the Country, a super PAC created in 2019 to help 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden; American Bridge 21st Century, which creates political advertisements attacking Republicans; House Majority PAC, a PAC that helps Democratic politicians running for the House of Representatives; and PACRONYM, a PAC responsible for numerous anti-Republican political advertisements and aligned with the advocacy organization ACRONYM. [40]
Sixteen Thirty donated $1.5 million in July 2020 to Future Forward PAC (FF PAC), which the Center for Responsive Politics (OpenSecrets) describes as a “pro-Biden super PAC” that funded its “$100 million ad campaign with ‘dark money.'” FF PAC targeted Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida on President Trump’s COVID-19 policies. [41]
Sixteen Thirty also donated $300,000 in August 2020 to the Lincoln Project, a “NeverTrump” PAC of former Republican political operatives that attacked Republicans in the 2020 election. Sixteen Thirty was the Lincoln Project’s third-largest donor and its single largest organizational donor. [42]
Project Activism in the 2020 Election
A number of Sixteen Thirty Fund projects were involved in aiding Democrats and hurting Republicans in the 2020 election.
Family Friendly Michigan ran multiple Facebook advertisements targeting Republican Senate candidate John James (MI) under the disclaimer “Family Friendly Action PAC.” However, Family Friendly Michigan’s other Facebook advertisements identify the group as part of the Sixteen Thirty Fund. [43]
Facebook Ads
In 2020, the Sixteen Thirty Fund ran at least 250 advertisements on Facebook under a number of its projects. Because Facebook’s Ad Library only offers a range of cost per advertisement, a minimum and maximum total for each ad is provided below: [44]
Sixteen Thirty Fund Project: 2020 | Month | Amount Min | Amount Max | Issue | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democracy for All 2021 Action | August | $300 | $399 | HEROES ACT | |
Democracy for All 2021 Action | August | $0 | $100 | HEROES ACT | |
Democracy for All 2021 Action | July/August | $400 | $499 | HEROES ACT | |
Democracy for All 2021 Action | July | $800 | $899 | HEROES ACT | |
Democracy for All 2021 Action | August | $0 | $100 | HEROES ACT | |
Democracy for All 2021 Action | August | $0 | $100 | HEROES ACT | |
Democracy for All 2021 Action | July | $800 | $899 | HEROES ACT | |
Democracy for All 2021 Action | July/August | $0 | $100 | HEROES ACT | |
Democracy for All 2021 Action | July/August | $400 | $499 | HEROES ACT | |
Democracy for All 2021 Action | July | $800 | $899 | HEROES ACT | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | March | $1,500 | $2,000 | Covid Relief | *Removed for violating ad policy |
Family Friendly Michigan* | August/September | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | May | $400 | $499 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | July-September | $100 | $199 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | March | $0 | $100 | Covid Relief | *Removed for violating ad policy |
Family Friendly Michigan* | August/September | $800 | $899 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | August/September | $2,500 | $3,000 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | August/September | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | May | $200 | $299 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | May | $600 | $699 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | ||
Family Friendly Michigan* | July-September | $3,000 | $3,500 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | June/July | $300 | $399 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | August/September | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | August/September | $100 | $199 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | March | $4,500 | $5,000 | Covid Relief | *Removed for violating ad policy |
Family Friendly Michigan* | March | $4,000 | $4,500 | Covid Relief | *Removed for violating ad policy |
Family Friendly Michigan* | August/September | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Michigan* | August/September | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | February | $4,000 | $4,500 | Paid Leave | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | $100 | $199 | Org. Ad | ||
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | March | $3,500 | $4,000 | Covid Relief | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | March | $0 | $100 | Covid Relief | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | $200 | $299 | Org. Ad | ||
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | $200 | $299 | Org. Ad | ||
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | July/August | $200 | $299 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | July/August | $200 | $299 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | July/August | $200 | $299 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | February/March | $6,000 | $7,000 | Child care | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | $400 | $499 | Org. Ad | ||
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | March | $4,000 | $4,500 | Covid Relief | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Healthcare | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | March | $100 | $199 | Covid Relief | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | July/August | $200 | $299 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $100 | $199 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | July/August | $200 | $299 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | May | $400 | $499 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | February/March | $3,500 | $4,000 | Social Security | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | May | $400 | $499 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | March | $100 | $199 | Covid Relief | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | March | $200 | $299 | Covid Relief | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | February/March | $900 | $999 | Healthcare | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | February | $0 | $100 | Healthcare | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | March | $1,500 | $2,000 | Covid Relief | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $0 | $100 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | July/August | $200 | $299 | Org. Ad | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | March | $0 | $100 | Covid Relief | |
Family Friendly Wisconsin* | January | $100 | $199 | Org. Ad | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $700 | $799 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $600 | $699 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $2,500 | $3,000 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $400 | $499 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $300 | $399 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $0 | $100 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $1,000 | $1,500 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $400 | $499 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | May | $800 | $899 | Trump Covid Response | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $300 | $399 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $2,000 | $2,500 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $900 | $999 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $1,000 | $1,500 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $900 | $999 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $400 | $499 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $1,500 | $2,000 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $500 | $599 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $300 | $399 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $500 | $599 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $2,500 | $3,000 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $4,000 | $4,500 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $500 | $599 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | January/February | $3,000 | $3,500 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $3,500 | $4,000 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $1,000 | $1,500 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $300 | $399 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $600 | $699 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $2,000 | $2,500 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $1,000 | $1,500 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | January | $1,000 | $1,500 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $700 | $799 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $1,500 | $2,000 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $2,500 | $3,000 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $1,500 | $2,000 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
I Like Obamacare* | March/April | $1,500 | $2,000 | Healthcare | |
I Like Obamacare* | March | $1,000 | $1,500 | Healthcare | |
Obamacare* | June | $0 | $100 | Trump Covid Response | |
Obamacare* | June/July | $900 | $999 | Health Care Under Trump | *Same ad as Protect our Care |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $900 | $999 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | June/July | $1,000 | $1,500 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | July | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | August | $200 | $299 | Health Care | |
Protect Our Care | May | $100 | $199 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $1,500 | $2,000 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | June/July | $500 | $599 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | July | $0 | $100 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $300 | $399 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | July | $0 | $100 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $700 | $799 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | June/July | $1,000 | $1,500 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $500 | $599 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | August | $100 | $199 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | September | $700 | $799 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $900 | $999 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | August | $0 | $100 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | September | $0 | $100 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | August/September | $0 | $100 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | September | $2,500 | $3,000 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | September | $500 | $599 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | October | $200 | $299 | ACB Nomination | |
Protect Our Care | August | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | August | $1,000 | $1,500 | Health Care | |
Protect Our Care | August/September | $0 | $100 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | September | $3,000 | $3,500 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | January | $2,000 | $2,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | January | $1,000 | $1,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | January | $1,500 | $2,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | March | $5,000 | $6,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | February | $2,000 | $2,500 | Healthcare Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | March | $900 | $999 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | August | $500 | $599 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | June | $500 | $599 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | May | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | August | $1,000 | $1,500 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $1,500 | $2,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $700 | $799 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | July-September | $1,500 | $2,000 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | July | $200 | $299 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $3,000 | $3,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | August | $0 | $100 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | May | $100 | $199 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | September | $300 | $399 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | January | $1,500 | $2,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | July | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | July-September | $600 | $699 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $200 | $299 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | July | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $3,500 | $4,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $1,000 | $1,500 | Health Care | |
Protect Our Care | June/July | $1,000 | $1,500 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | August | $200 | $299 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $200 | $299 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | October | $200 | $299 | ACB Nomination | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $1,500 | $2,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | August | $100 | $199 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $2,500 | $3,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $3,000 | $3,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | October | $200 | $299 | ACB Nomination | |
Protect Our Care | May | $500 | $599 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | January | $2,000 | $2,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $1,000 | $1,500 | Health Care | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $2,500 | $3,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $1,500 | $2,000 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | January | $1,000 | $1,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $3,500 | $4,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | August/September | $500 | $599 | Sen. Gardner Fact Check | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $2,000 | $2,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | August | $0 | $100 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $2,500 | $3,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | August/September | $200 | $299 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | October | $200 | $299 | ACB Nomination | |
Protect Our Care | January | $2,000 | $2,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $3,500 | $4,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | August | $600 | $699 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | August | $100 | $199 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | September | $500 | $599 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | June/July | $1,000 | $1,500 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $2,000 | $2,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $2,500 | $3,000 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $3,000 | $3,500 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | August | $100 | $199 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $300 | $399 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | May | $0 | $100 | Healthcare | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $300 | $399 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | September | $600 | $699 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | October | $200 | $299 | ACB Nomination | |
Protect Our Care | September | $0 | $100 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | August | $100 | $199 | Trump Covid Response | |
Protect Our Care | July/August | $200 | $299 | Health Care Under Trump | |
Protect Our Care | January/February | $2,000 | $2,500 | Healthcare | |
Total: | $176,400 | $234,111 |
“Fake” Groups
Known Sixteen Thirty Fund Projects
- All Above All Action Fund (AAAAF)
- Allied Progress Action
- Americans for Affordable Birth Control Action Fund
- Arizonans United for Health Care
- Black Civic Engagement Action Fund (Democracy Alliance)
- Businesses for Responsible Tax Reform
- Civic Action Fund
- Colorado United for Families
- Constitutional Responsibility Project
- Defend American Democracy
- Demand Justice
- Democracy for All 2021 Action
- Climate Action Fund (Democracy Alliance)
- Democracy Action Fund (Democracy Alliance)
- Equity Forward Action (Equity Fwd Action)
- Evergreen Action
- Family Friendly Michigan
- Floridians for a Fair Shake
- For Our Families
- Health Care Facts
- Health Care FAQs
- Health Care Voter
- Health Care Voters of Nevada
- Health Care for America Now (HCAN)
- Inclusive Economy Action Fund (Democracy Alliance)
- Justice March
- Kansans for Secure Elections
- Keep Iowa Healthy
- Abortion Access Force (Lady Parts Justice)
- Latino Engagement Action Fund (Democracy Alliance)
- Mainers Against Health Care Cuts
- Make It Work Action
- March for America
- Media Democracy Action Fund
- Michigan Families for Economic Prosperity
- Michigan Families for Opportunity
- Navigator Research
- New American Majority Action Fund (Democracy Alliance)
- New Jersey for a Better Future
- North Carolinians for a Fair Economy
- Not One Penny
- Ohio Committee for Safe and Secure Elections
- Ohioans for Economic Opportunity
- Our Lives on the Line
- PA Progress
- Protect Our Care
- Protect PA Voters
- Protect The Investigation
- Respect Workers, Respect Voters
- Restore Trust Action
- Secure Michigan Elections
- SoCal Healthcare Coalition
- Speak Out Central New York
- State Engagement Initiative (Democracy Alliance)
- Stop Payday Predators
- Survey America Project
- Tax March
- Tax Plan Answers
- The Love Vote
- Western Values Project Action
- Youth Engagement Action Fund (Democracy Alliance)
Controversies
“Dark Money” Criticism
Arabella and its nonprofit network have been criticized as “dark money” funders both for channeling hundreds of millions of dollars to left-wing organizations and for hosting hundreds of “pop-up groups”—websites designed to look like standalone nonprofits that are really projects of an Arabella-run nonprofit. [45]
In November 2019, Politico criticized the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the 501(c)(4) advocacy wing of Arabella’s nonprofit network, as a “little-known,” “massive ‘dark money’ group [that] boosted Democrats” in the 2018 midterm elections with $140 million. “The money contributed to efforts ranging from fighting Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and other Trump judicial nominees to boosting ballot measures raising the minimum wage and changing laws on voting and redistricting in numerous states,” the left-leaning website reported. Politico also noted that Sixteen Thirty Fund’s biggest single donation (made anonymously) was for $51.7 million, “more than the group had ever raised before in an entire year before President Donald Trump was elected,” adding that “the group’s 2018 fundraising surpassed any amount ever raised by a left-leaning political nonprofit.” [46] However, Politico failed to tie the Sixteen Thirty Fund to Arabella Advisors’ nonprofit network.
The left-leaning Washington Post further criticized Arabella’s Sixteen Thirty Fund as a “big campaign donor” in a November 21, 2019 opinion by the editorial board, which called on Congress to change nonprofit disclosure laws, noting in particular a $26.7 million anonymous donation to the Fund. [47] However, the Post also failed to connect the Sixteen Thirty Fund to Arabella Advisors and its other three nonprofits.
In a November 24, 2019 letter to the editor published by the Washington Post, Capital Research Center president Scott Walter identified the $26.7 million donation as originating with the New Venture Fund, the largest of Arabella’s in-house nonprofits, and confirmed Politico’s suspicion that the Sixteen Thirty Fund is “part of a larger network of dark money.” [48]
In November 2020 Politico called the Sixteen Thirty Fund a “liberal dark-money behemoth” and “one of the Left’s biggest financial hubs” for raising $137 million in 2019, much of which was spent on an “eight-figure ad campaign attacking Republican senators.” Politico also noted that “more than half of the Sixteen Thirty Fund’s money came from just three anonymous sources in 2019” and it made grants to over “100 different liberal organizations” that year. [49]
Leadership
Eric Kessler, a former Clinton administration environmental policy staffer who also serves as principal of liberal philanthropic and investment strategy firm Arabella Advisors, is president of Sixteen Thirty Fund. [50] He additionally serves as the board chair for the New Venture Fund. [51] More than 100 progressive organizations boast connections to Kessler and the New Venture Fund. [52]
Amy Kurtz is executive director of the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a position she’s held since November 2019. [53]
Board of Directors
From 2016 to 2019, the Sixteen Thirty Fund board of directors has consisted of: [54]
- Arabella Advisors principal Eric Kessler (board chair)
- Albright Stonebridge Group senior adviser Michael Madnik, who resigned from the board in July 2018
- Democratic Party consultant and former Hillary Clinton 2008 campaign spokesman Douglas Hattaway (board secretary)
- Arabella Advisors chief financial officer Wilbur Priester, who resigned from the board in September 2019
- Arabella Advisors general counsel Andrew Schulz, who resigned from the board in September 2019
- American Democracy Institute vice president Dara Freed (board treasurer)
- Former Democratic PAC staffer Monica Dixon, who resigned from the board in September 2019
- Latino Victory Project president Cristobal Alex, who resigned from the board in February 2019
- Hill-Snowdon Foundation executive director Nathaniel Chioke Williams, who resigned from the board in February 2019
- Jeff Cherry, founder of the consultancy Conscious Ventures Partners
Key Staff
All of Sixteen Thirty Fund’s IRS Form 990 filings from 2009 to 2019 show zero employees. Instead, as stated in the organization’s 2017, 2018, and 2019 Form 990 filings, “New Venture Fund (NVF) is the paymaster for all managed organizations under Arabella for payroll[.] NVF pays the salary and immediately invoices Sixteen Thirty Fund, which pays the full amount back[.]” [55]
In Sixteen Thirty Fund’s 2019 Form 990 the text is: “New Venture Fund is the payroll reporting agent for Sixteen Thirty Fund under the IRS common paymaster rules. Under the arrangement, Sixteen Thirty Fund reimburses New Venture Fund for its allocated share of salaries and benefits, which is reported on Form 990, Part VII.” [56]
In 2019, the Sixteen Thirty Fund noted the following key employees: [57]
- Brad Woodhouse, project director (2019 total compensation: $203,992; Woodhouse worked 16 hours per week in 2019, which amounts to just over $245 per hour)
- Ryan Johnson, project director (2019 total compensation: $210,951), former director of the Fairness Project (a Sixteen Thirty Fund grant recipient) [58]
- Arkadi Gerney, project director (2019 total compensation: $145,468; Gerney worked 8 hours per week in 2019, which amounts to just under $350 per hour)
- Patricia “Patty” Kupfer, campaigns director (2019 total compensation: $145,108), a former managing director for America’s Voice (a major Sixteen Thirty Fund grant recipient) from 2008-2015 and former activist for Colorado Families for a Fair Wage [59] [60] [61]
- Carl Walz, campaigns director (2019 total compensation: $136,412)
Lobbying
Between 2014 and 2020 (Quarter 4), the Sixteen Thirty Fund spent nearly $2.5 million in lobbying expenditures in the U.S. Congress (a version with the bills lobbied for is available here): [62]
Year | Quarter | Amount | Lobbyist | Lobbying Firm |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | 4 | $40,000 | Fontenot, Yvette | Avenue Solutions |
2020 | 3 | $40,000 | Fontenot, Yvette | Avenue Solutions |
2020 | 2 | $40,000 | Fontenot, Yvette | Avenue Solutions |
2020 | 1 | $40,000 | Fontenot, Yvette | Avenue Solutions |
2019 | 4 | $40,000 | Fontenot, Yvette | Avenue Solutions |
2019 | 3 | $15,000 | Richard Healy | Healy Consulting Group |
2019 | 3 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Tim Peckinpaugh, Kathleen Nicholas, Slade Gorton, Pamela Garvie, Paul Stimers, Laurie Purpuro, James Walsh | K&L Gates LLP |
2019 | 3 | $190,000 | Daniel Schuman | Sixteen Thirty Fund |
2019 | 3 | $10,000 | Maria Price, Robert Raben, Joe Onek, Diego Sanchez Gallardo, Timothy Lynch, Lawrence Gonzakez, Marit Vangrow | The Raben Group |
2019 | 2 | $15,000 | Richard Healy | Healy Consulting Group |
2019 | 2 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Sean McGlynn, Slade Gorton | K&L Gates LLP |
2019 | 2 | $160,000 | Daniel Schuman | Sixteen Thirty Fund |
2019 | 1 | $15,000 | Richard Healy | Healy Consulting Group |
2019 | 1 | $90,000 | Daniel Ritter, Sean McGlynn, Eli Schooley | K&L Gates LLP |
2019 | 1 | $110,000 | Daniel Schuman | Sixteen Thirty Fund |
2018 | 4 | $15,000 | Richard Healy | Healy Consulting Group |
2018 | 4 | $50,000 | Daniel Ritter, Sean McGlynn, Steven Valentine, James Walsh, Tim Peckinpaugh | K&L Gates LLP |
2018 | 4 | $10,000 | Sean Vitka | Pale Blue LLC |
2018 | 4 | $530,000 | Daniel Schuman | Sixteen Thirty Fund |
2018 | 3 | $15,000 | Richard Healy | Healy Consulting Group |
2018 | 3 | $60,000 | Daniel Ritter, Sean McGlynn, Steven Valentine, James Walsh, Kathleen Nicholas, Slade Gorton, Tim Peckinpaugh, Dennis Potter, W. Dennis Stephens | K&L Gates LLP |
2018 | 3 | $10,000 | Sean Vitka | Pale Blue LLC |
2018 | 3 | $150,000 | Daniel Schuman | Sixteen Thirty Fund |
2018 | 2 | $15,000 | Richard Healy | Healy Consulting Group |
2018 | 2 | $60,000 | Daniel Ritter, Sean McGlynn, Steven Valentine, James Walsh, Kathleen Nicholas, John McHugh, Slade Gorton, Amanda Makki, Tim Peckinpaugh | K&L Gates LLP |
2018 | 2 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2018 | 2 | $10,000 | Sean Vitka | Pale Blue LLC |
2018 | 1 | $15,000 | Richard Healy | Healy Consulting Group |
2018 | 1 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Sean McGlynn, Steven Valentine, James Walsh, Kathleen Nicholas, Dennis Pooter, John McHugh | K&L Gates LLP |
2018 | 1 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2018 | 1 | $10,000 | Sean Vitka | Pale Blue LLC |
2017 | 4 | $15,000 | Richard Healy | Healy Consulting Group |
2017 | 4 | $30,000 | Daniel Ritter, Sean McGlynn, Steven Valentine, James Walsh, Kathleen Nicholas, W. Dennis Stephens, Dennis Potter, John McHugh, Nicholas Leibham | K&L Gates LLP |
2017 | 4 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2017 | 4 | $10,000 | Sean Vitka | Pale Blue LLC |
2017 | 3 | $10,000 | Robert Epplin | Epplin Strategic Planning |
2017 | 3 | $15,000 | Richard Healy | Healy Consulting Group |
2017 | 3 | $30,000 | Daniel Ritter, Sean McGlynn, Steven Valentine, James Walsh, Tim Peckinpaugh, Kathleen Nicholas, W. Dennis Stephens, Dennis Potter | K&L Gates LLP |
2017 | 3 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2017 | 2 | $10,000 | Robert Epplin | Epplin Strategic Planning |
2017 | 2 | $30,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, Steven Valentine, Slade Gorton, James Walsh, Barton Gordon, Tim Peckinpaugh, Kathleen Nicholas | K&L Gates LLP |
2017 | 2 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2017 | 1 | $30,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, Steven Valentine, Slad Gorton, Tim Peckinpaugh, W. Dennis Stephens | K&L Gates LLP |
2017 | 1 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2016 | 4 | $20,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, W. Dennis Stephens | K&L Gates LLP |
2016 | 4 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2016 | 3 | $20,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, W. Dennis Stephens | K&L Gates LLP |
2016 | 3 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2016 | 2 | $20,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, James Walsh, Steven Valentine, Slade Gorton, W. Dennis Stephens | K&L Gates LLP |
2016 | 2 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2016 | 1 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, James Walsh, Steven Valentine, Slade Gorton, W. Dennis Stephens | K&L Gates LLP |
2016 | 1 | $10,000 | Michele Wymer | Kyle House Group |
2016 | 1 | $10,000 | Sean Vitka | Pale Blue LLC |
2015 | 4 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, James Walsh, Steven Valentine, Slade Gorton, W. Dennis Stephens | K&L Gates LLP |
2015 | 3 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, James Walsh, Steven Valentine, Slade Gorton | K&L Gates LLP |
2015 | 2 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, James Walsh, Steven Valentine, Slade Gorton, Dennis Potter | K&L Gates LLP |
2015 | 1 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, James Walsh, Steven Valentine, Slade Gorton | K&L Gates LLP |
2014 | 4 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Sean McGlynn, James Walsh, Steven Valentine, Slade Gorton, W. Dennis Stephens Nicholas Leibham | K&L Gates LLP |
2014 | 4 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, James Walsh, Steven Valentine, W. Dennis Stephens, Dennis Potter, Ryan Severson | K&L Gates LLP |
2014 | 3 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Steven Valentine, W. Dennis Stephens, James Walsh, Nicholas Leibham, Sean McGlynn, Emanuel Rouvelas, Barton Gordon, William Kirk | K&L Gates LLP |
2014 | 2 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Steven Valentine, W. Dennis Stephens, James Walsh, Dennis Potter, Nicholas Leibham, Barton Gordon, Sean McGlynn, William Kirk, Scott Aliferis, Tricia Markwood, Amy Carnevale | K&L Gates LLP |
2014 | 1 | $40,000 | Daniel Ritter, Paul Stimers, Steven Valentine, W. Dennis Stephens, James Walsh | K&L Gates LLP |
Total: | $2,625,000 |
Funding
Financial Overview
Sixteen Thirty Fund: Financial Overview (2009-2019) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Total Revenues | Total Expenditures | Grants Paid | Net Assets | |
2019 | $138,371,684 | $98,641,867 | $64,973,649 | $82,358,064 |
2018 | $143,837,877 | $141,396,752 | $91,386,301 | $42,513,247 |
2017 | $79,559,836 | $46,893,083 | $13,336,144 | $39,872,122 |
2016 | $21,258,592 | $19,660,860 | $14,584,591 | $7,205,369 |
2015 | $5,617,209 | $8,660,897 | $6,768,578 | $5,607,637 |
2014 | $16,523,735 | $10,880,643 | $9,719,545 | $8,651,325 |
2013 | $5,269,965 | $2,721,133 | $1,322,500 | $3,008,233 |
2012 | $812,500 | $353,098 | $152,500 | $459,401 |
2011 | $93,600 | $93,600 | - | - |
2010 | - | $447,394 | $146,569 | - |
2009 | $4,828,000 | $4,380,606 | $3,336,624 | $447,394 |
Grand Total: | $416,172,998 | $334,129,933 | $205,727,001 |
The Sixteen Thirty Fund’s revenues grew 1,547 percent between 2009 and 2017.
From 2018 to 2019, the Sixteen Thirty Fund’s revenues decreased from $143.8 million to $138.7 million, a decrease of 3.8 percent. [63]
From 2017 to 2018, the Sixteen Thirty Fund’s revenues increased from $79.6 million to $143.8 million, an increase of 80.8 percent. [64]
From 2016 to 2017, the Sixteen Thirty Fund’s revenues increased from $21.3 million to $79.6 million, an increase of 274 percent. [65]
From 2015 to 2016, the Sixteen Thirty Fund’s revenues increased from $5.6 million to $21.3 million, an increase of 278 percent. [66]
Donors to Sixteen Thirty Fund
As a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, the Sixteen Thirty Fund isn’t required by the IRS to report its donors.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that the Sixteen Thirty Fund received $860,000 from four labor unions in 2015 and 2016, including the AFL-CIO and the National Education Association. [67]
In 2017, the left-leaning group Avaaz Foundation granted $10,000 to Sixteen Thirty for “US Tax March,” likely indicating support for the Sixteen Thirty-run project Tax March, which lobbies for greater taxes on the wealthy. [68]
Sixteen Thirty Fund also received over $4.5 million from the Atlantic Philanthropies, a Bermuda-based philanthropic enterprise that funded left-of-center organizations. [69] Other known funders of Sixteen Thirty include the Tides Foundation. [70]
In 2018, Politico identified a handful of liberal donors to the Fund: [71]
The group does disclose the amount of money of each donation, which shows several strikingly large contributions: One donor gave the group $51,705,000; a second gave $26,747,561 and a third gave $10,000,000. And The Hub Project disclosed three of its donors in 2017: Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer, the union American Federation of Teachers and the Wyss Foundation, founded by businessman and environmentalist Hansjörg Wyss.
The second donor noted above is likely the New Venture Fund, since it shows a $26,747,561 grant to the Sixteen Thirty Fund for “capacity building.” [72]
The following are all known grants and donors to the Sixteen Thirty Fund from 2010 to 2018 (excluding the Arabella-run nonprofits Hopewell Fund and New Venture Fund): [73]
Donor | Amount | Year | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AFSCME | $120,000 | 2018 | General Support |
Chicago Instructional Technology Foundation | $52,500 | 2018 | Net Neutrality |
Communications Workers of America (AFL-CIO CLC) | $50,000 | 2018 | General Support |
Democracy Fund Voice | $650,000 | 2018 | Law Works Action |
Democracy Fund Voice | $100,000 | 2018 | Demand Progress Action |
Denver Area Educational Telecommunications Consortium | $11,000 | 2018 | Demand Progress |
Fairness Project | $600,000 | 2018 | Program Services |
Grove Action Fund | $25,000 | 2018 | All Above All |
Instructional Telecommunications Foundation | $100,000 | 2018 | Net Neutrality |
NextGen Climate Action | $128,000 | 2018 | The Townhall Project |
Planned Parenthood Action Fund | $250,000 | 2018 | To support public affairs programs |
State Engagement Fund | $2,045,000 | 2018 | To support nonpartisan voter engagement and mobilization |
Tides Advocacy | $195,000 | 2018 | Equality and Human Rights |
Tides Foundation | $30,000 | 2018 | Economic development |
AFL-CIO | $10,000 | 2017 | General Contribution |
AFSCME | $120,000 | 2017 | General Support |
Avaaz Foundation | $10,000 | 2017 | US Tax March |
Center for Community Change Action | $50,000 | 2017 | Childcare Jobs |
Center for Empowered Politics | $30,000 | 2017 | General Support |
Chicago Instructional Technology Foundation | $60,000 | 2017 | Net Neutrality |
Communications Workers of America (AFL-CIO CLC) | $25,000 | 2017 | General Support |
Demand Progress Action | $626,298 | 2017 | The Fund's purpose is to engage in activism to promote civil liberties, privacy and open government |
Democracy Fund Voice | $100,000 | 2017 | Support for Demand Progress Action |
Groundswell Action Fund | $50,000 | 2017 | - |
Instructional Telecommunications Foundation | $90,000 | 2017 | Net Neutrality |
Majority Forward | $116,000 | 2017 | General Support |
National Education Association | $800,000 | 2017 | Financial Assistance |
Public Citizen Foundation | $5,000 | 2017 | Programatic Support |
Tioga Fund | $15,000 | 2017 | General support |
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East | $15,000 | 2016 | Solidarity Contribution |
AFL-CIO | $200,000 | 2016 | Organizational Support |
AFSCME | $300,000 | 2016 | General Support |
All Hands on Deck Network | $7,500 | 2016 | - |
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) | $30,000 | 2016 | Related Organization Program |
Center for Community Change Action | $150,000 | 2016 | Childcare Jobs |
Chicago Instructional Technology Foundation | $20,000 | 2016 | Net Neutrality |
Demand Progress Action | $672,292 | 2016 | The Fund's purpose is to engage in activism to promote civil liberties, privacy and open government |
Instructional Telecommunications Foundation | $50,000 | 2016 | Voter Registration |
National Education Association | $550,000 | 2016 | Financial Assistance |
American Unity Fund | $310,000 | 2015 | Promote freedom for LGBT Americans |
National Education Association | $50,000 | 2015 | Financial Assistance |
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union | $10,000 | 2015 | General support |
AFL-CIO | $200,000 | 2014 | General Contribution |
AFSCME | $460,000 | 2014 | General Support |
National Education Association | $75,000 | 2014 | Financial Assistance |
Western Conservation Action | $15,000 | 2014 | Conservation Outreach |
AFSCME | $120,000 | 2013 | General Support |
AFSCME | $50,000 | 2012 | General Support |
Progressive Future | $12,500 | 2010 | Program Support |
Total: | $9,761,090 |
Grants from Sixteen Thirty Fund
While the Sixteen Thirty Fund primarily provides incubation (or fiscal sponsorship) services, it also pays out millions of dollars in grants each year. The Sixteen Thirty Fund paid $65 million in grants in 2019, $91 million in grants in 2018, $13 million in grants in 2017, $14 million in grants in 2016, and $6 million grants in 2015. [74]
The following is a list of grants from Sixteen Thirty between 2013 and 2019: [75]
Sixteen Thirty Fund Grant Recipients | Year | Amount |
---|---|---|
North Fund | 2019 | $9,300,500 |
America Votes | 2019 | $7,060,000 |
LCV Victory Fund | 2019 | $6,787,500 |
Environment America | 2019 | $4,900,000 |
Rocky Mountain Values | 2019 | $4,050,000 |
Advancing AZ | 2019 | $3,950,000 |
Maine Momentum | 2019 | $3,850,000 |
League of Conservation Voters | 2019 | $3,500,000 |
Iowa Forward | 2019 | $2,900,000 |
Piedmont Rising Inc | 2019 | $1,750,000 |
Future Forward USA PAC | 2019 | $1,415,274 |
Green Tech Action Fund | 2019 | $1,000,000 |
Senate Majority Project | 2019 | $1,000,000 |
Movement Cooperative | 2019 | $1,000,000 |
Center for American Progress Action Fund | 2019 | $750,000 |
Secure Elections Project | 2019 | $750,000 |
Nebraskans for Responsible Lending | 2019 | $665,000 |
Fairness Project | 2019 | $625,000 |
Accountable Justice Action Fund | 2019 | $500,000 |
American Wind Action | 2019 | $500,000 |
House Majority PAC | 2019 | $500,000 |
MobilizeAmerica Inc | 2019 | $500,000 |
New Venture Fund | 2019 | $476,800 |
Center for Community Change Action | 2019 | $300,000 |
Forward Majority Action | 2019 | $290,000 |
Colorofchange.org | 2019 | $250,000 |
Forward Florida Action | 2019 | $250,000 |
Cooperative Impact Lab | 2019 | $250,000 |
Maine People's Alliance | 2019 | $200,000 |
New Day Nevada Inc | 2019 | $200,000 |
Family Friendly Action Fund | 2019 | $194,500 |
Moving NC Forward Inc | 2019 | $190,000 |
Secure Democracy | 2019 | $175,000 |
Iowa Citizen Action Network | 2019 | $170,000 |
Living United for Change in Arizona | 2019 | $165,000 |
American Bridge 21st Century | 2019 | $150,000 |
High Ground Action Fund | 2019 | $150,000 |
The Arena | 2019 | $150,000 |
Virginia New Majority | 2019 | $149,000 |
Opportunities for All Floridians Inc | 2019 | $138,000 |
Families Against Mandatory Minimums | 2019 | $125,000 |
Save My Country Action Fund | 2019 | $125,000 |
Tides Advocacy | 2019 | $109,137 |
Better Pennsylvania | 2019 | $100,000 |
Coloradans for Prosperity | 2019 | $100,000 |
Gun Violence Prevention Aciton Committee | 2019 | $100,000 |
Heartland Forward | 2019 | $100,000 |
League of Women Voters of Ohio | 2019 | $100,000 |
Ohio Organizing Campaign | 2019 | $100,000 |
Our Voice Our Vote Airzona | 2019 | $100,000 |
Prosperity Michigan | 2019 | $100,000 |
Protect Minnesota Advocacy Fund | 2019 | $100,000 |
Real Justice PAC | 2019 | $100,000 |
Center for Popular Democracy Action Fund | 2019 | $92,000 |
Opportunity Arizona | 2019 | $91,000 |
Arizonans for Secure Elections | 2019 | $90,000 |
Maryland Citizens Health | 2019 | $85,000 |
Maine Gun Safety Coalition | 2019 | $80,000 |
Ceasefire Pensylvania | 2019 | $75,000 |
Hoosier Action Inc | 2019 | $75,000 |
Progress North Carolina Action | 2019 | $74,000 |
Conservation Colorado | 2019 | $70,000 |
Momsrising Together | 2019 | $70,000 |
RuralOrganizing.org | 2019 | $70,000 |
Alaska AFL-CIO | 2019 | $65,000 |
Mainers for Working Families | 2019 | $62,498 |
Arizona Wins | 2019 | $61,268 |
Colorado Ceasefire Legislative Action | 2019 | $60,000 |
Common Cause | 2019 | $60,000 |
Clean Energy Economy Minnesota | 2019 | $50,000 |
Colorado People's Action | 2019 | $50,000 |
Communities Creating Opportunity Action | 2019 | $50,000 |
Mothering Justice Action Fund | 2019 | $50,000 |
National Democratic County Officials | 2019 | $50,000 |
Neo Philanthropy Action Fund Inc | 2019 | $50,000 |
Nevada Conservation League | 2019 | $50,000 |
One Apia Nevada | 2019 | $50,000 |
Renew Oregon Action Fund | 2019 | $50,000 |
Stand Up For Ohio | 2019 | $50,000 |
We The People Pennsylvania Action | 2019 | $50,000 |
Hopewell Fund | 2019 | $42,238 |
ProgressNow Colorado | 2019 | $40,000 |
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence | 2019 | $40,000 |
State Engagement Fund | 2019 | $35,000 |
Woman Project | 2019 | $35,000 |
ProgressNow | 2019 | $33,750 |
Maryland Family Network | 2019 | $30,707 |
Conservation Minnesota Voter Center | 2019 | $30,000 |
Ohioans for Making Every Vote Matter | 2019 | $30,000 |
Our Missouri Inc | 2019 | $27,300 |
Alliance for Retired Americans | 2019 | $25,000 |
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center | 2019 | $25,000 |
Change Now Inc | 2019 | $25,000 |
Coalition for DC Representation in Congress Education Fund | 2019 | $25,000 |
Georgia Engaged Inc | 2019 | $25,000 |
Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice | 2019 | $25,000 |
New Jersey Organizing Project | 2019 | $25,000 |
TakeAction Minnesota | 2019 | $25,000 |
Way to Win Action Fund | 2019 | $25,000 |
Progress Texas | 2019 | $24,000 |
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence | 2019 | $20,000 |
Cultivate Team LLC | 2019 | $20,000 |
Represent.Us | 2019 | $20,000 |
Young Women United | 2019 | $20,000 |
NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia | 2019 | $19,000 |
NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia | 2019 | $15,000 |
OneVirginia2021 | 2019 | $10,677 |
Connecticut Citizen Action Group | 2019 | $10,000 |
Leaders Igniting Transformation Action Fund | 2019 | $10,000 |
Patrick Rynard DBA PRPR LLC | 2019 | $10,000 |
Progressive State Leaders Committee | 2019 | $10,000 |
Social Good Fund | 2019 | $6,000 |
America Votes | 2018 | $27,150,000 |
League of Conservation Voters | 2018 | $8,000,000 |
Nevadans for Secure elections | 2018 | $6,250,000 |
Count MI Vote | 2018 | $6,000,000 |
Raise up Missouri | 2018 | $4,241,000 |
Save Our Neighborhoods | 2018 | $3,500,000 |
Stop Deceptive Amendments | 2018 | $3,500,000 |
Change Now Inc. | 2018 | $2,822,500 |
Floridians for a Fair Democracy | 2018 | $2,650,000 |
Coloradans for Fairness | 2018 | $2,500,000 |
Coloradans to Stop Predatory Payday Loans | 2018 | $2,075,000 |
Michigan Time to Come | 2018 | $1,760,000 |
Fund for a Better Future Inc. | 2018 | $1,750,000 |
Arkansas for a Fair Wage | 2018 | $1,346,000 |
Environmental Defense Action Fund | 2018 | $1,000,000 |
Forward Majority Action | 2018 | $1,000,000 |
Good Jobs Colorado | 2018 | $920,000 |
State Engagement Fund | 2018 | $787,918 |
New Venture Fund | 2018 | $778,000 |
Alliance for Youth Action | 2018 | $750,000 |
Center for Popular Democracy | 2018 | $701,500 |
The Fairness Project | 2018 | $697,000 |
Justice Colorado | 2018 | $600,000 |
No Cuts to Care PAC | 2018 | $600,000 |
Coloradans Creating Opportunities | 2018 | $545,000 |
Center for American Progress | 2018 | $500,000 |
Ohio Safe and Healthy Communities Campaign | 2018 | $500,000 |
Our Colorado Values | 2018 | $500,000 |
Florida for All, Inc. | 2018 | $480,000 |
North Carolina Citizens for Protecting our Schools | 2018 | $400,000 |
Environment America | 2018 | $357,300 |
Progress North Carolina Action | 2018 | $355,000 |
Progress Now | 2018 | $335,688 |
Kansas Values Institute | 2018 | $325,000 |
Maine People's Alliance | 2018 | $250,713 |
Color of Change Education Fund | 2018 | $250,000 |
Michigan League or Responsible Voters | 2018 | $250,000 |
Promote the Vote | 2018 | $250,000 |
Progress Michigan | 2018 | $240,000 |
Network | 2018 | $225,000 |
Make North Carolina First | 2018 | $223,000 |
American Bridge 21st Century | 2018 | $200,000 |
The Arena | 2018 | $200,000 |
ProgressNow Colorado | 2018 | $191,700 |
One PA | 2018 | $188,000 |
Vote No on Amendment 1, Inc. | 2018 | $150,000 |
Common Cause | 2018 | $125,000 |
Plan Action Fund | 2018 | $125,000 |
Casa In Action | 2018 | $100,000 |
Raise up Massachusetts | 2018 | $100,000 |
Secure Democracy | 2018 | $95,000 |
Arizona Wins | 2018 | $93,300 |
People's Action Institute | 2018 | $93,062 |
Battle Born Progress | 2018 | $90,000 |
Green Tech Action Fund | 2018 | $75,000 |
Momsrising together | 2018 | $75,000 |
Stand Up for Ohio | 2018 | $75,000 |
State Innovation Exchange | 2018 | $75,000 |
Working People of Colorado | 2018 | $75,000 |
State Employers Association of North Carolina | 2018 | $73,700 |
Florida Alliance for Civic Engagement | 2018 | $70,000 |
NC Justice Center | 2018 | $70,000 |
The Hopewell Fund | 2018 | $68,112 |
Fair Maps Colorado | 2018 | $68,000 |
West Virginia Citizen Action Group | 2018 | $55,000 |
Chirlaction Fund | 2018 | $50,000 |
Colorado People's Action | 2018 | $50,000 |
Community Voices Heard Power Inc. | 2018 | $50,000 |
Faith in Public Life Action Fund | 2018 | $50,000 |
hiladelphia Unemployment Project | 2018 | $50,000 |
Kingdom Mission Society | 2018 | $50,000 |
National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund | 2018 | $50,000 |
Promise Arizona in Action | 2018 | $50,000 |
The Movement Cooperative | 2018 | $46,250 |
Alaska Conservation Voters | 2018 | $43,500 |
Citizen Action of New York | 2018 | $40,000 |
Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates Inc. | 2018 | $40,000 |
Run For Something Action Fund | 2018 | $40,000 |
The Arc of the United States | 2018 | $40,000 |
American Cancer Society | 2018 | $30,000 |
The Advocacy Fund | 2018 | $27,000 |
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center | 2018 | $25,000 |
Care in Action, Inc. | 2018 | $25,000 |
PICO Action Fund | 2018 | $25,000 |
Stand Up America PAC | 2018 | $25,000 |
Women's Foundation of California | 2018 | $25,000 |
Citizen Action Illinois | 2018 | $20,000 |
ProgressOhio.org Inc. | 2018 | $20,000 |
Colorado Fiscal Institute | 2018 | $17,750 |
Jannus Inc. | 2018 | $17,750 |
Montana udget and Policy Center | 2018 | $17,750 |
ACT Indiana, Inc. | 2018 | $15,000 |
Social Good Fund | 2018 | $15,000 |
We the People of Florida, Inc. | 2018 | $15,000 |
Women's March, Inc. | 2018 | $15,000 |
Black Youth Project 100 | 2018 | $12,500 |
Chicago International Social Change Film Festival | 2018 | $12,500 |
Tides Center | 2018 | $12,500 |
Urban Affairs Coalition | 2018 | $12,500 |
The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation | 2018 | $12,000 |
Citizen Action of New Jersey | 2018 | $10,500 |
Blue Institute Enterprises, Inc. | 2018 | $10,000 |
Collective Future | 2018 | $10,000 |
New Era Colorado Action Fund | 2018 | $10,000 |
Organize Now Inc. | 2018 | $10,000 |
Save the Children Action Network Inc. | 2018 | $10,000 |
Texas Organizing Project | 2018 | $10,000 |
Win Colorado | 2018 | $10,000 |
TakeAction Minnesota Education Fund | 2018 | $9,450 |
215 People's Alliance | 2018 | $8,500 |
Economic Policy Institute | 2018 | $6,000 |
40 Friends (We Care) | 2018 | $5,000 |
Action NC | 2018 | $5,000 |
Latino Victory Project | 2018 | $5,000 |
Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action | 2018 | $5,000 |
Pennsylvania Health Access Fund | 2018 | $5,000 |
League of Conservation Voters (LCV) | 2017 | $3,850,000 |
Partnership Project Action Fund | 2017 | $1,160,000 |
Environment America | 2017 | $1,100,000 |
Mainers for Health Care | 2017 | $800,000 |
Natural Resource Defense Council Action Fund | 2017 | $750,000 |
Raise Up Missouri | 2017 | $500,000 |
Michigan Time To Care | 2017 | $400,000 |
New Venture Fund | 2017 | $313,722 |
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network | 2017 | $310,846 |
Virginia New Majority | 2017 | $285,196 |
Black PAC | 2017 | $225,463 |
ProgressNow | 2017 | $221,500 |
New Jersey Working Families Alliance | 2017 | $215,000 |
Maine People's Alliance | 2017 | $215,000 |
Black Progressive Action Coalition | 2017 | $200,000 |
MoveOn Civic Action | 2017 | $170,000 |
Color of Change | 2017 | $150,000 |
New Florida Majority | 2017 | $150,000 |
Organizing for Action | 2017 | $150,000 |
Black Leadership Organizing Collaborative | 2017 | $150,000 |
Raise Up Massachusetts | 2017 | $110,000 |
Center for American Progress Action Fund | 2017 | $110,000 |
Kingdom Mission Society | 2017 | $105,000 |
Fair Share | 2017 | $100,000 |
Our Revolution | 2017 | $100,000 |
National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund | 2017 | $100,000 |
Faith In Public Life Action Fund | 2017 | $98,000 |
Working Families Organization | 2017 | $90,000 |
California Calls Action Fund | 2017 | $75,000 |
Center for Racial and Gender Equity | 2017 | $75,000 |
Citizen Action of New York | 2017 | $65,000 |
Citizen Action of New Jersey | 2017 | $65,000 |
MomsRising Together | 2017 | $60,000 |
Mijente | 2017 | $50,000 |
America Votes | 2017 | $50,000 |
Advance North Carolina Inc | 2017 | $50,000 |
West Virginia Citizen Action Group | 2017 | $50,000 |
NEO Philanthropy Action Fund Inc | 2017 | $41,907 |
Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Action | 2017 | $40,000 |
Promise Arizona In Action | 2017 | $40,000 |
Arizona Wins | 2017 | $30,196 |
Citizen Action of Wisconsin Inc | 2017 | $30,000 |
Center for Community Change Action | 2017 | $28,000 |
Texas Organizing Project | 2017 | $25,000 |
Action Inc | 2017 | $25,000 |
Citizen Action Illinois | 2017 | $25,000 |
Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action | 2017 | $25,000 |
Arkansas Community Organizations | 2017 | $25,000 |
TakeAction Minnesota | 2017 | $25,000 |
Rights and Democracy Project | 2017 | $25,000 |
Organize Now Inc. | 2017 | $25,000 |
Washington Comm Action Network Education and Research Fund | 2017 | $25,000 |
Delawareans for Social and Economic Justice | 2017 | $25,000 |
Bread for the World | 2017 | $25,000 |
Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Urias and Ward PA | 2017 | $24,225 |
Arizonians for Fair Wage and Healthy Families | 2017 | $20,000 |
Missouri Impact Inc | 2017 | $15,000 |
Pennsylvania Health Access Fund | 2017 | $15,000 |
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Inc | 2017 | $15,000 |
Tennessee Citizen Alliance | 2017 | $15,000 |
ProgressNow Education | 2017 | $15,000 |
South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce | 2017 | $10,500 |
The Network | 2017 | $10,000 |
Center for Responsible Lending | 2017 | $10,000 |
US Black Chambers Inc | 2017 | $8,000 |
The Hopewell Fund | 2017 | $6,549 |
Battle Born Progress | 2017 | $5,714 |
Environmental Defense Action Fund | 2016 | $1,500,000 |
League of Conservation Voters | 2016 | $1,300,000 |
Partnership Project Action Fund | 2016 | $1,120,000 |
Civic Participation Action Fund | 2016 | $1,100,000 |
Environment America | 2016 | $1,100,000 |
Sierra Club | 2016 | $1,000,000 |
Every Voice | 2016 | $990,000 |
Center for Community Change Action | 2016 | $975,000 |
For Our Future Action Fund | 2016 | $600,000 |
Majority Forward | 2016 | $500,000 |
Media Matters Action Network | 2016 | $429,000 |
America Votes | 2016 | $400,000 |
New Venture Fund | 2016 | $379,964 |
State Engagement Fund | 2016 | $250,000 |
Colorado Families for a Fair Wage | 2016 | $224,500 |
Greater Wisconsin Committee Inc | 2016 | $207,750 |
Arizonians for Fair Wage and Healthy Families | 2016 | $190,000 |
Represent.Us | 2016 | $150,000 |
Center for American Progress Action Fund | 2016 | $125,000 |
New Virginia Majority | 2016 | $120,000 |
Organize Now Inc. | 2016 | $116,900 |
350 Action | 2016 | $100,000 |
Advance North Carolina Inc | 2016 | $100,000 |
Black Leadership Organizing Collaborative | 2016 | $100,000 |
Color of Change | 2016 | $100,000 |
New Florida Majority Education Fund | 2016 | $100,000 |
New Florida Majority Inc | 2016 | $100,000 |
Wisconsin Progress | 2016 | $100,000 |
Americans United For Change | 2016 | $98,860 |
Center for Racial and Gender Equity | 2016 | $50,000 |
LCV Political Engagement Fund | 2016 | $50,000 |
Make North Carolina First | 2016 | $50,000 |
Ohio Organizing Campaign | 2016 | $50,000 |
Voter Access Institute | 2016 | $50,000 |
Leadership Conference On Civil and Human Rights | 2016 | $49,000 |
Progressive Agenda Committee | 2016 | $48,500 |
Alaska Conservation Voters | 2016 | $47,500 |
Freedom for All Americans | 2016 | $37,326 |
Center for Popular Democracy Action Fund | 2016 | $37,000 |
Emerge Wisconsin | 2016 | $35,000 |
Business Council of Alabama | 2016 | $30,000 |
Community Organizations In Action | 2016 | $25,917 |
Bus Federation Civic Fund | 2016 | $25,000 |
House Majority PAC | 2016 | $25,000 |
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law | 2016 | $25,000 |
New Futures Fund | 2016 | $25,000 |
NILC Immigration Fund | 2016 | $25,000 |
US Global Leadership Campaign | 2016 | $25,000 |
Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Urias and Ward PA | 2016 | $22,500 |
Citizen Action of Wisconsin Inc | 2016 | $20,000 |
Democratic Governors Association | 2016 | $20,000 |
Free Press Action Fund | 2016 | $20,000 |
Living United for Change In Arizona | 2016 | $20,000 |
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Inc | 2016 | $20,000 |
Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters | 2016 | $20,000 |
Working Families Organization | 2016 | $20,000 |
All Hands On Deck Network Inc | 2016 | $18,000 |
ProgressNow | 2016 | $15,000 |
One Wisconsin Now | 2016 | $14,000 |
We Are Wisconsin | 2016 | $14,000 |
People for the American Way | 2016 | $11,073 |
Enviornmental Advocates of New York | 2016 | $10,000 |
Maine People's Alliance | 2016 | $10,000 |
Raise Up Washington | 2016 | $10,000 |
Working Families Party National Independent Expenditure Committee | 2016 | $10,000 |
South Dakotans for Responsible Lending | 2016 | $9,800 |
No On U | 2016 | $6,000 |
Fight for the Future Education Fund | 2016 | $5,000 |
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund | 2015 | $1,925,000 |
The Partnership Project Action Fund | 2015 | $1,450,000 |
Environmental Defense Fund | 2015 | $675,000 |
Center for Community Change Action | 2015 | $610,000 |
Fair Share | 2015 | $550,000 |
Environment America | 2015 | $475,000 |
Free Press Action Fund | 2015 | $125,000 |
Americans for Tax Fairness Act | 2015 | $100,000 |
Stand for Children Louisiana Inc | 2015 | $80,000 |
350 Dot Org Action Fund | 2015 | $75,000 |
Color of Change Education Fund | 2015 | $75,000 |
Freedom for All Americans | 2015 | $75,000 |
United Working Families | 2015 | $75,000 |
Louisiana Federation for Children PAC | 2015 | $70,000 |
Demand Progress Action | 2015 | $55,000 |
Earth Day Network | 2015 | $55,000 |
Center for Rights in Action Inc. | 2015 | $50,000 |
Color of Change | 2015 | $40,000 |
The Public Investigator | 2015 | $28,578 |
SumOfUS | 2015 | $25,000 |
US Global Leadership Campaign | 2015 | $25,000 |
Pineros Campesinos Unidos | 2015 | $20,000 |
Presente Action | 2015 | $20,000 |
Citizen Action of Wisconsin | 2015 | $14,000 |
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Inc | 2015 | $14,000 |
Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters | 2015 | $14,000 |
New Progressive Network | 2015 | $13,000 |
Bread for the World | 2015 | $12,500 |
Church World Service | 2015 | $12,500 |
Northwest Health Foundation | 2015 | $10,000 |
One Nation Forward | 2015 | $5,000 |
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund | 2014 | $1,450,000 |
The Partnership Project Action Fund | 2014 | $1,250,000 |
Environmental Defense Action Fund | 2014 | $1,200,000 |
Sierra Club | 2014 | $900,000 |
Patriot Majority USA | 2014 | $660,000 |
Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions | 2014 | $500,000 |
American Wind Energy Association | 2014 | $350,000 |
Texas Organizing Project | 2014 | $290,000 |
Mi Familia Vota | 2014 | $270,000 |
America Votes | 2014 | $265,000 |
Center for American Progress | 2014 | $250,000 |
Florida New Majority | 2014 | $215,000 |
Color of Change | 2014 | $200,000 |
Center for Rights in Action Inc. | 2014 | $180,000 |
NAACP National Voter Fund | 2014 | $150,000 |
National Council of La Raza Action Fund | 2014 | $140,000 |
Stand Up for Ohio | 2014 | $115,000 |
CA Calls Action Fund | 2014 | $100,000 |
Voter Access Institute | 2014 | $100,000 |
Ohio Organizing Campaign | 2014 | $90,000 |
New Progressive Network | 2014 | $85,000 |
Higher Heights for America | 2014 | $75,000 |
National Action Network | 2014 | $75,000 |
Power PAC Org. | 2014 | $70,000 |
Advancement Project | 2014 | $50,000 |
Blueprint NC | 2014 | $50,000 |
Latino Victory Project - A Project of the New Venture Fund | 2014 | $50,000 |
Organize Now Inc. | 2014 | $50,000 |
People for the American Way | 2014 | $50,000 |
Pineros Campesinos Unidos | 2014 | $50,000 |
State Voices | 2014 | $45,000 |
Georgia Equality Inc. | 2014 | $35,000 |
Mobilize the Immigrant Vote Action | 2014 | $30,000 |
Wisconsin Voices | 2014 | $30,000 |
Center for Popular Democracy Action Fund | 2014 | $25,000 |
Circ Action Fund | 2014 | $25,000 |
New Era Colorado Action Fund | 2014 | $25,000 |
The People's Lobby | 2014 | $25,000 |
Virginia New Majority | 2014 | $25,000 |
Kenwood Oakland Community Organization | 2014 | $20,000 |
Florida Planned Parenthood | 2014 | $15,000 |
MOSES | 2014 | $15,000 |
TakeAction Minnesota | 2014 | $15,000 |
Bread for the World | 2014 | $12,500 |
Church World Service | 2014 | $12,500 |
Utahns for Public Lands and Recreation | 2014 | $12,045 |
A. Philip Randolph Institute | 2014 | $10,000 |
Equality Florida Action | 2014 | $10,000 |
Kick | 2014 | $10,000 |
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) | 2014 | $10,000 |
New Voices Pittsburgh | 2014 | $10,000 |
ADA | 2014 | $7,500 |
ICAN | 2014 | $7,500 |
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement | 2014 | $7,500 |
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund | 2013 | $850,000 |
State Voices | 2013 | $180,000 |
Wellstone Action | 2013 | $150,000 |
A Whole Lot of People for John Morse | 2013 | $35,000 |
New Venture Fund | 2013 | $35,000 |
Pueblo United For Angela | 2013 | $35,000 |
Amnesty International USA | 2013 | $25,000 |
ProgressNow | 2013 | $12,500 |
Total: | $201,751,123 |
Consulting and Management Fees
Between 2009 and 2019, Sixteen Thirty Fund paid almost $48 million in contracting and management fees to other organizations, notably Arabella Advisors, the for-profit company closely associated with Sixteen Thirty Fund and its “sister” nonprofits. [76]
Sixteen Thirty Fund Contractors | ||
---|---|---|
Contractor | Total (2009-2019) | |
SKDKnickerbocker | $10,618,536 | |
Arabella Advisors | $9,537,923 | |
Buying Time LLC | $6,693,226 | |
Targeted Platform Media | $5,396,502 | |
Blueprint Interactive | $2,887,800 | |
Mothership Strategies LLC | $2,415,000 | |
Ethica Media LLC | $1,739,975 | |
Screen Strategies Media | $1,500,525 | |
Revolution Messaging LLC | $1,287,619 | |
OTG Strategies Inc | $1,015,000 | |
Block By Block Inc | $527,950 | |
K&L Gates | $450,740 | |
Precision Strategies | $1,643,068 | |
Democracy Alliance | $400,000 | |
Information Staffing Services | $339,548 | |
US Action | $264,500 | |
Freedman Consulting LLC | $235,000 | |
Arabella Philanthropic Investment | $162,604 | |
Community Organizations in Action | $151,500 | |
Americans for Democratic Action | $132,500 | |
Jochum Shore & Trossevin PC | $126,000 | |
Seligman Consulting | $108,350 | |
The Konkurrenz Group | $108,000 | |
The Atlas Project | $107,250 | |
Sum | $47,849,116 |
In 2019, the Sixteen Thirty Fund paid its highest contractor, Arabella Advisors, $3.5 million in administration, operations, and management services fees. Other major contractors included Mothership Strategies LLC ($2.4 million), Screen Strategies Media ($1.5 million), Precision Strategies ($1.2 million), and OTG Strategies ($1.02 million). [77]
In 2018, the Sixteen Thirty Fund paid its highest contractor, Targeted Platform Media, $5.4 million in consulting fees. Other major contractors paid that year include Arabella Advisors at $3.5 million; SKDKickerbocker at $3.3 million; Buying Time LLC at $3 million; and Blueprint Interactive at $2.9 million. [78]
In 2017, the Sixteen Thirty Fund paid its highest contractor, SKDKnickerbocker, $7.1 million in consulting fees. The other highest contractors for that year include Buying Time LLC, which received $3.7 million; Arabella Advisors, for $2.1 million; Ethica Media, for $1.7 million; and Revolution Messaging, for $1.3 million. [79]
In 2016, the Sixteen Thirty Fund paid $400,000 in consulting fees to the left-wing Democracy Alliance. It also hired Arabella Advisors, which was paid $789,891 in consulting fees; SKDKnickerbocker for $268,944; Block By Block, Inc. for $527,950; and Precision Strategies for $435,141. [80]
Financial Documents
The Sixteen Thirty Fund’s Application for Recognition of Exemption (Form 1024) was filed with the IRS on August 31, 2009, and is available here.
The Sixteen Thirty Fund’s IRS Form 990 filings for 2016, 2017, and 2018 were obtained by the Capital Research Center and are available here:
The Sixteen Thirty Fund’s lobbying disclosure (LD-2) form is available here.
The Sixteen Thirty Fund’s IRS 1024 application for recognition of tax exempt status by the IRS is available here; the file also includes:
- a description of Sixteen Thirty Fund’s charitable activities as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, including a “public communications program,” limited lobbying activity, “organizational coalition building,” “community leadership development,” and “grassroots lobbying and non-partisan civic engagement”;
- the nonprofit’s founding board of directors (Eric Kessler, Brian Kathman, and Molly McUsic), as well as their “qualifications”;
- a list of the Fund’s initial grantees: Americans United for Change, USAction, Working America, ACORN, and the Sierra Club;
- Sixteen Thirty Fund’s articles of incorporation filed with the District of Columbia on February 19, 2009;
- the nonprofit’s bylaws; and
- an administrative agreement between the Sixteen Thirty Fund and Arabella Advisors, authorizing the latter to provide paid management services to the former.
The Sixteen Thirty Fund received recognition of its tax exempt status from the IRS on August 31, 2009; the letter is available here.