The Dark Money Chain to Stop RFK

Unveiling the Hidden Power of Dark Money: Arabella Advisors and Its Vast Influence Network

In today’s political landscape, the term "dark money" has become synonymous with hidden influence and untraceable funding. But the reality is that dark money networks can be uncovered—if you know where to look. Among the most prominent players in this realm is Arabella Advisors, a name unfamiliar to most but one that has quietly become one of the most influential entities in the nonprofit sector. This organization serves as a primary vehicle for an elite class of billionaires to astroturf political and social movements, shaping the narrative on critical issues while operating behind a veil of secrecy.

Arabella Advisors stands at the epicenter of a sprawling network, moving billions of dollars to fund politically active organizations and campaigns. In 2020 alone, its nonprofit network reported revenues exceeding $1.67 billion, distributing $896 million in grants to causes aligned with its agenda. These funds have been directed toward initiatives ranging from defunding the police to anti-Israel protests, women's marches, and Second Amendment reform.

The organization employs a multilayered system of financial transfers to obscure the origins of its funding. One key player in its network is the Hopewell Fund, which serves as a conduit for funneling money to groups like the Committee to Protect Health Care. This Committee recently gained attention for its petition opposing RFK Jr.’s nomination. While the effort appeared grassroots, it was, in fact, a calculated campaign funded by dark money—an example of how Arabella uses its resources to influence public opinion and policy.

A Network of Influence

Arabella’s ability to operate such an expansive network is made possible by contributions from some of the world’s wealthiest individuals and influential foundations. These donors include:

• George Soros: Through the Open Society Foundations, Soros has been a significant supporter of progressive initiatives aligned with Arabella’s network.

• Bill Gates: Known for philanthropy, Gates has been linked to causes funded through Arabella's extensive operations.

• Pierre Omidyar: The eBay founder’s Omidyar Network supports numerous progressive efforts connected to Arabella.

• Warren Buffett: Funding through the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation has bolstered many of Arabella’s affiliated causes.

• Laurene Powell Jobs: The founder of the Emerson Collective has provided significant support to social justice initiatives tied to Arabella.

• Tom Steyer: A billionaire environmentalist and political activist, Steyer has funded campaigns on climate action and other left-leaning policies.

In addition to individuals, prominent philanthropic foundations fuel Arabella’s network:

• Ford Foundation: One of the oldest philanthropic institutions, it supports many progressive initiatives within Arabella's scope.

• MacArthur Foundation: Known for funding environmental and social justice initiatives, this foundation aligns closely with Arabella-backed campaigns.

• Rockefeller Foundation: Focused on healthcare, climate action, and equity, its priorities overlap with Arabella’s objectives.

• Tides Foundation: Frequently criticized for its lack of transparency, Tides works in concert with Arabella to fund left-leaning movements.

• Silicon Valley Community Foundation: A donor-advised platform supporting organizations linked to Arabella.

This network allows Arabella to distribute billions annually, shaping public policy and opinion while evading scrutiny.

How the Dark Money Web Works

Arabella’s dark money operations use complex financial routes to create the illusion of grassroots movements. For example, in efforts to oppose RFK Jr.’s nomination, funds moved from donors to Arabella, then through nonprofits like the Hopewell Fund, and finally to the Committee to Protect Health Care. This chain culminated in an online petition purportedly signed by doctors. While the petition created an appearance of widespread opposition, it revealed how dark money can manufacture sentiment and drive political agendas.

The Arabella - Hopewell network

Controversies and Criticism

Arabella Advisors has not escaped scrutiny, particularly regarding the groups it funds and the causes it supports. One notable controversy involves allegations that Arabella-funded organizations were tied to groups supporting Palestinian terrorism. A protest movement with anti-Israel activities was later exposed for connections to entities accused of promoting extremist agendas. Though Arabella quickly distanced itself, the incident raised questions about its due diligence in funding decisions.

This controversy, along with Arabella’s support for polarizing movements like defunding the police and its alleged interference in judicial nominations, highlights broader concerns about transparency and accountability in dark money networks. Critics argue that Arabella’s operations undermine democratic processes by allowing a small group of wealthy individuals to wield disproportionate influence over public policy.

The Broader Implications

Arabella’s influence goes far beyond individual campaigns. By controlling narratives on issues like police reform, healthcare, and judicial appointments, the organization shapes the political and social landscape in ways that serve its funders’ interests. The scale of its operations, with 461 identified organizations under its umbrella, ensures sustained influence across elections, policies, and public opinion.

The key question remains: What does this network ultimately want? Organizations like Arabella Advisors are not merely funding isolated causes—they are working to redefine society through sustained, well-funded efforts.

Foundations (circled) moving money through the Arabella dark money chain to various non-profits

Pulling Back the Curtain

Despite its clandestine nature, dark money is not entirely untraceable. Through investigative efforts and open-source data, we can begin to understand the mechanics of Arabella’s operations. The connections I’ve mapped, based on thousands of reports, represent only the tip of the iceberg.

All participating organizations giving and receiving funds through Arabella Advisors

By exposing networks like Arabella’s, we take a critical step toward transparency and accountability in political financing. The more we connect the dots, the harder it becomes for these networks to operate unnoticed. The question now is whether we are ready to confront the truth about how influence is bought and sold in today’s political arena.

This analysis is supported by data compiled from multiple open sources, with special acknowledgment to Influence Watch for its extensive documentation of influential organizations in the nonprofit and political sectors.