Black Lives Matter Movement Claims $33.4 Million Held Up by Partner Organization

The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) alleges that a partner organization, the Tides Foundation, is withholding $33.4 million in donations. In a lawsuit filed last year, BLMGNF accuses Tides, which is backed by George Soros, of deceptive practices and mismanagement of funds, demanding their return.

During the litigation, BLMGNF requested a state investigation into Tides, which manages over $1.4 billion in charitable funds. The foundation claims Tides has mixed the donations, making it difficult to track where the money is allocated. Lawyer Lawrence Segal pointed out that Tides does not segregate funds, and BLMGNF has spent over $6 million on legal fees from their donations, despite promises to freeze their assets during the case.

BLMGNF began collaborating with Tides in 2013 when it needed a fiscal sponsor to manage donations before becoming tax-exempt. The lawsuit contends that Tides has used funds to support its legal defense, paying itself from the donations. The chair of the House Ways and Means Committee has called on the IRS to revoke Tides’ tax-exempt status, citing its role in financing anti-Israel protests and activities that may incite riots across campuses.

Public records reveal Tides has received tens of millions from Soros’s Open Society Fund. The lawsuit also highlights that, despite raising approximately $90 million after George Floyd’s murder, only about $30 million was spent on charitable programs, with the rest covering salaries and investments. Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder, spent heavily on real estate, which she stated was unrelated to BLM funds, and resigned shortly after revelations of her purchases emerged.

The legal dispute is set for trial in August 2026, with ongoing scrutiny over the financial practices and management within these organizations.