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 A Deep Dive into Nonprofit Grants & Terrorist Ties

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in shaping societal discourse and influencing public opinion. A recent analysis conducted by the Capital Research Center and Focus on Western Islamism sheds light on the funding sources of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a controversial organization with global terrorist ties and a history of anti-Israel sentiments. As was meticulously reported on by Ryan Mauro, an investigative researcher for Capital Research Center, the findings reveal a not so surprising trend: left-wing foundations have emerged as the primary organizational donors to CAIR, raising questions about the intersection of political ideologies and financial support for groups accused of promoting international terrorism such as Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Founded by leaders affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR has faced accusations of conspiring to support terrorists and engaging in deceptive practices to conceal connections to terrorist elements whose raison d’être is to obliterate Israel and its inhabitants from the world. Mauro writes that in 2007, federal prosecutors stated that CAIR conspired with other Muslim Brotherhood affiliates to assist terrorists, an assertion that gained traction during the trial of the Holy Land Foundation for financing Hamas. Moreover, Mauro’s research reveals that the Justice Department designated CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator, explicitly linking it to the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood and its secret “Palestine Committee,” established to clandestinely aid Hamas.

Having dominated the headlines for the past two months for its ruthless and barbaric massacre of 1200 Israelis and others during a premeditated attack in southern Israel on October 7, Hamas has defined itself as an ISIS style terror group backed by Iran and Qatar. Its headquarters are located in terror tunnels under the Gaza Strip, while its top leadership resides in the lap of luxury in Doha hotels.

CAIR has not only faced allegations of supporting terrorism but has also been criticized for inflammatory rhetoric and virulently anti-Semitic views. Despite its website claiming opposition to Hamas’s targeting of civilians, CAIR’s executive director referred to Hamas as a “liberation movement” in a 2004 interview with Arabic media, as was reported by Mauro. The organization’s failure to condemn Hamas for its actions and its tendency to fault Israel after incidents such as the October 7 massacre of Israelis have fueled concerns about its tendentious posture on terrorism and victim-blaming.

According to Mauro’s extensive reportage, the analysis of nonprofit tax forms spanning from 2010 to 2022 by the Capital Research Center and Focus on Western Islamism reveals that left-leaning organizations dominate the list of CAIR’s top grantors, as was stated above. This finding challenges assumptions about the political affiliations of organizations associated with terrorist ties.

Notably, the research highlights that a significant portion of the funds directed towards CAIR is channeled to its California and San Francisco Bay Area chapters. Mauro also reported that the San Francisco chapter’s executive director, Zahra Billoo, has a documented history of expressing anti-Semitic and pro-terrorist sentiments. Billoo’s suggestion that fallen U.S. troops should not be honored on Memorial Day underscores the concerns regarding the malevolent rhetoric emanating from CAIR’s local chapters, as was indicated in Mauro’s report.

Beyond direct contributions, CAIR also benefits from a substantial amount of “dark money” through donor-advised funds. This method allows grantors and donors to make tax-deductible contributions to an organization, providing a layer of anonymity to supporters, Mauro writes in his report. The analysis raises questions about transparency and accountability in the funding mechanisms supporting organizations such as CAIR, particularly when utilizing channels that enable donors to contribute without public attribution, he added.

A closer look at the top 20 grantors to CAIR and its chapters unveils a complex web of financial transactions, dominated by left-leaning organizations and, notably, some with Islamist affiliations, Mauro writes.

The Top 20 Grantors are as follows:

American Online Giving Foundation ($1,637,087): This foundation tops the list as a major contributor to CAIR, channeling a substantial sum to the organization.

Silicon Valley Community Foundation ($1,499,447): A significant player in the tech hub, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s contribution underscores the diverse sources of CAIR’s funding.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund ($1,474,868): The renowned financial institution plays a role in funneling “dark money” to CAIR, raising questions about the motivations behind such contributions.

California Endowment ($785,604): A notable health-focused foundation, the California Endowment’s involvement in supporting CAIR adds another layer to the complex funding landscape.

Schwab Charitable Fund ($782,178): This financial institution’s charitable arm contributes to CAIR, highlighting the diverse nature of donor-advised funds.

California Community Foundation ($781,065): The California Community Foundation’s substantial contribution points to the involvement of regional organizations in CAIR’s funding.

Sierra Health Foundation ($637,558): Health-related foundations, such as Sierra Health Foundation, are among the diverse supporters contributing to CAIR.

Tides Foundation ($631,300): A well-known left-leaning organization, the Tides Foundation’s involvement emphasizes the ideological spectrum of CAIR’s supporters.

Weingart Foundation ($602,950): Another significant player in the philanthropic landscape, the Weingart Foundation’s contribution adds to the financial mosaic of CAIR.

1. Kellogg Foundation ($500,000): This foundation’s involvement raises questions about the alignment of its mission with CAIR’s controversial history.

San Francisco Foundation ($494,000): The regional San Francisco Foundation’s contribution underlines the support from local organizations.

Network for Good ($489,800): As an intermediary for online giving, Network for Good plays a role in facilitating the flow of “dark money” to CAIR.

MarJac Foundation ($450,000): Identified as a Muslim Brotherhood-linked group, MarJac Foundation’s contribution adds a layer of complexity to CAIR’s funding sources.

Charities Aid Foundation ($406,000): The Charities Aid Foundation’s involvement suggests a global reach in CAIR’s financial support network.

California Wellness Foundation ($350,000): Another health-focused foundation, the California Wellness Foundation contributes to CAIR’s financial sustenance.

All Hands on Deck Network (Movement Voter Project) ($348,240): Formerly known as the All Hands on Deck Network, this organization’s contribution underscores the evolving nature of CAIR’s support network.

Columbus Foundation ($336,250): A regional foundation, the Columbus Foundation’s involvement reflects the national scope of CAIR’s financial support.

American Endowment Foundation ($315,600): The American Endowment Foundation’s contribution raises questions about the broader spectrum of donors supporting CAIR.

Levi Strauss Foundation ($310,000): The renowned clothing brand’s foundation contributes to CAIR, highlighting the diverse nature of corporate involvement in nonprofit funding.

Orange County Community Federation ($301,255): A regional federation’s contribution adds to the array of local and national organizations supporting CAIR.

 

Notable Transaction: New Venture Fund and CAIR’s Arizona Chapter

One transaction that stands out is a $40,000 grant to CAIR’s Arizona chapter from the New Venture Fund, a nonprofit overseen by Arabella Advisors, a left-wing “dark money” powerhouse, according to Mauro’s report. This connection emphasizes the intricate ties between left-leaning organizations and CAIR, showcasing how funds flow through various channels within the nonprofit ecosystem.

According to a December 7th report on the Fox News web site, The Mass Liberation Project’s Arizona chapter, operating as a direct affiliate of the Tides Foundation, has recently stirred controversy with its bold accusations against the U.S. government and its unequivocal support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Fox News also reported that the chapter’s explicit statements on their website regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Hamas, and their rejection of the “Zionist narrative” have raised questions about the alignment of advocacy groups with controversial positions and affiliations.

The Mass Liberation Project’s Arizona chapter accused the U.S. government of engaging in what they term as the “ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.” This provocative accusation frames the conflict in stark terms and aligns the chapter with a narrative that is highly critical of U.S. policies in the region.

Fox News also reported that more notably, the chapter openly paints Hamas, a group recognized by the U.S. government and several other countries as a terrorist organization, in a positive light. They go so far as to acknowledge Hamas as a “legitimate political actor” and describe it as the “democratically elected Gazan resistance working to free Palestinian people, “ the report said. This endorsement of Hamas as a legitimate political entity challenges widely accepted international designations and norms.

The Mass Liberation Project’s Arizona chapter does not stop at expressing accusations against the U.S. government and support for Hamas but goes on to align itself with the broader Palestinian cause. According to the Fox News report, the chapter explicitly supports Palestine’s demands and justifies Operation Al-Aqsa Flood as a “necessary step to secure Palestine’s freedom.” This language suggests a level of endorsement for actions that may be perceived by many as aggressive and contrary to peace-building efforts in the region.

On their website, the Mass Liberation Project’s Arizona chapter takes a defiant stance against what they term the “false Zionist narrative.” As was indicated in the Fox News report, they reject the idea that criticism of Israel equates to anti-Semitism and assert their right to express solidarity with the Palestinians without facing repercussions such as funding restrictions or philanthropic pressures.

Perhaps one of the most explicit statements on their website is the declaration, “We do not condemn Gazan resistance.” This unambiguous endorsement of resistance efforts, including those potentially involving violence, adds another layer of controversy to the chapter’s stance. The Fox News report said that it signals a refusal to distance themselves from actions that may be viewed critically in the context of international norms and peace-building initiatives.

In terms of CAIR’s connection to the Tides Foundation, Fox News reported that George Soros, a prominent far-left wing billionaire philanthropist, has been identified as a donor to the Tides Foundation. The Capital Research Center has reported that Soros’ Open Society Foundations network has made donations to several left-wing organizations involved in pro-Palestinian advocacy and that the Tides Foundation, has reportedly received over $22 million for different causes, the Fox News report added.

A significant portion of these funds, according to the Capital Research Center, has been redirected to left-wing organizations that actively organize and participate in pro-Palestinian protests and rallies.

Several liberal-left organizations have been identified as recipients of funds from the Tides Foundation, all of which have played a role in organizing pro-Palestinian events, Fox News reported. The breakdown of donations includes:

Jewish Voice for Peace ($650,000): A far left wing group advocating for the destruction of Israel, Jewish Voice for Peace has received a substantial sum from the Tides Foundation to further its pro-Palestinian initiatives.

Adalah Justice Project ($710,000): A pro-Palestinian organization that claims that its focus in on “justice and human rights,” Adalah Justice Project’s significant funding from the Tides Foundation underscores the financial support fueling the group’s advocacy efforts.

IfNotNow ($86,000): This far-left organization, dedicated to challenging American Jewish institutions’ support for Israel, has received funds to bolster its pro-Palestinian activities.

Center for Constitutional Rights ($38,000): A woke, progressive legal organization, the Center for Constitutional Rights has been supported by the Tides Foundation to further its engagement in pro-Palestinian causes.

Mass Liberation Project ($600,000): A progressive organization dedicated to ending mass incarceration and abolishing the criminal legal system, the Mass Liberation Project has received substantial funding for its broader social justice initiatives, including pro-Palestinian advocacy.

WESPAC Foundation ($132,000): The group overseeing Students for Justice in Palestine, WESPAC Foundation’s connection to the Tides Foundation underscores the financial support flowing into organizations engaging in campus-based pro-Palestinian activities.

The revelation of financial connections between the Tides Foundation, anti-Israel organizations, and George Soros raises important questions about the influence of philanthropy on advocacy and activism. Critics argue that such financial relationships may impact the impartiality and independence of these organizations, potentially influencing their narratives and actions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.