Between 2020 and 2022, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) allocated approximately $30.5 million in grants to various nonprofits, representing roughly 33% of the total $90 million in donations received during this period.
A substantial portion of these funds was distributed to groups managed by supporters and allies of the movement. Black Ties Security, LLC, a company owned by Paul Cullors, received $756,330 in 2021 for providing security services. Another recipient was the Tamir Rice Foundation, established by Samaria Rice in honor of her 12-year-old son who was killed by a white police officer in 2014. Despite Rice’s critique of BLM and its support for mothers of black children slain by police violence, her foundation received a $400,000 grant.
Other significant recipients included the Love Not Blood Campaign, which received the largest grant of $1.269 million, and LGBTQ groups such as the Trans Justice Housing Project and Reuniting of African Descendants. Nala Simone Toussaint, an activist, and the Michael Brown Chosen for Change Foundation, received grants of $200,000 and $297,000, respectively.
BLMGNF’s financial administration has faced criticism from the National Legal and Policy Center, an ethics watchdog group, which found evidence of irregularities in BLMGNF’s audited financials and IRS complaints. Allegations included potential misuse of nonprofit assets, conflicts of interest, and illicit political fundraising.
Despite these controversies, the organization’s total revenue increased slightly from $88.1 million in 2020 to $88.4 million in 2021. However, contributions fell drastically during the fiscal year 2021, from $76.8 million to $9.3 million.
The foundation’s expenses totaled around $22.7 million, spent on legal fees, rent, office costs, and other items. A significant loss of $961,000 was incurred from a securities sale, and a hefty $600,000 was paid to a consulting firm owned by a former board member.
BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors, who resigned in 2021, received considerable attention when her $3.2 million real estate investments were exposed. She subsequently sold a property in Georgia and purchased a $1.4 million home in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles.
BLMGNF also received financial support from other organizations, including a $200,000 donation from the Oakland-based Anti Police-Terror Project, and a $1.1 million contribution from a company run by the sister of Danielle Edwards in Dayton.
