Omar Bennett
The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked conversations about the role of donations in political campaigns. Black Lives Matter was founded in 2013 following the murder of Trayvon Martin and has since grown into an international organization advocating for the end of white supremacy, systemic racism, and violence against Black people. The movement has organized protests and campaigns to further its mission. While there have been rumors that donations made to the Black Lives Matter movement are used for Democratic political campaigns, campaign finance experts and the IRS have refuted these claims, stating that donations go directly to the movement and are not redirected to political campaigns, which would jeopardize the organization's tax-exempt status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do donations to Black Lives Matter go to political campaigns? | No, according to campaign finance experts and the IRS. |
| Where do the donations go? | To the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. |
| What is ActBlue? | A fundraising platform used by Black Lives Matter. ActBlue is also associated with Democratic campaigns. |
| What do experts say about ActBlue? | Michael Malbin, director of the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute, says that ActBlue has no discretion over where to direct individuals' contributions. |
| What was the impact of BLM on US politics? | Researchers found that BLM protests following George Floyd's death had a significant impact on the 2020 US presidential election. |
| What are some organizations that accept donations to support BLM? | The National Bail Out, Mothers Against Police Brutality, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Black Lives Matter donations do not fund political campaigns
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has had a significant impact on US politics, as evidenced by research that shows how BLM protests influenced the 2020 US presidential election. However, it is essential to clarify that Black Lives Matter donations do not fund political campaigns.
There have been claims on social media that donations made through the Black Lives Matter website go "directly" to the Democratic Party or Democratic National Committee (DNC). These assertions are based on a misunderstanding of the role of ActBlue, a nonprofit fundraising platform used by the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. ActBlue provides fundraising infrastructure to Democratic campaigns and progressive organizations, but it does not direct donations from one account to another. Each organization or candidate using ActBlue has their own separate account, and donors choose the recipient of their contributions.
Michael Malbin, director of the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute and a professor of political science at the University at Albany, State University of New York, emphasized that ActBlue merely facilitates transactions and has no discretion over where donations are directed. Furthermore, as a 501(c)(3) organization, Thousand Currents, the nonprofit that sponsors the Black Lives Matter group, is prohibited by IRS regulations from donating to political campaigns. If they were found to be doing so, their tax-exempt status would be jeopardized.
Instead, Black Lives Matter donations go towards supporting the work they do in their communities. This includes grants given to various organizations, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ groups, and direct support to Black individuals. Additionally, those looking to support the Black Lives Matter movement can donate to bail funds, anti-police brutality groups, Black-centered mental health resources, and other local and national grassroots organizations advocating for racial equality and justice.
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ActBlue is a neutral fundraising platform
ActBlue is used by the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation to process donations. Donations to Black Lives Matter first pass through a nonprofit that sponsors the group. However, ActBlue is also used by other organisations, including the National Bail Out, a collective of Black-led and Black-centred abolitionist organisers, lawyers, and activists who are seeking to create a community-based movement to end systems of pretrial detention and mass incarceration.
ActBlue is associated with Democratic campaigns. However, it is important to note that ActBlue itself does not choose the recipient of the contribution—the donor does. When you donate on an ActBlue or ActBlue Charities page, the donation is earmarked for the group listed on the form. ActBlue then passes along the contribution directly to the receiving campaign or entity.
ActBlue is a registered nonprofit and, as such, is prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for elective public office. If ActBlue were to donate to political campaigns, it would lose its tax exemption.
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Black Lives Matter's financial reports are publicly available
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has had a significant impact on US politics, according to a study by King's College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science. The study found that the BLM protests following George Floyd's death in 2020 led to a notable increase in the Democratic vote share in the US presidential election.
While the movement has influenced political outcomes and attitudes about racial justice, it is important to distinguish between the organization's activities and direct donations to political campaigns. Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, the organization behind the movement, has stated that donations go towards supporting their work in communities. The Black Lives Matter website also mentions that individuals can view their financial reports, indicating that their financial information is publicly available.
There have been claims and misconceptions that donations made to the Black Lives Matter website directly fund the Democratic Party or specific Democratic campaigns. These claims are false, according to campaign finance experts and the organization itself. The confusion appears to stem from the organization's use of ActBlue Charities, an online fundraising platform that provides infrastructure to Democratic campaigns and progressive organizations.
ActBlue allows separate accounts for candidates and nonprofit organizations, ensuring that donations made to one do not cross over to the other. Additionally, as a 501(c)(3) organization, Black Lives Matter is prohibited by IRS regulations from directly or indirectly participating in any political campaign. Therefore, donations to the organization cannot legally be rerouted to support specific political candidates or campaigns.
In summary, while the Black Lives Matter movement has had a significant impact on US politics, the organization's financial reports are distinct from political campaigns. The BLM Global Network Foundation's financial reports are publicly available, and donations made to the organization support their community work and initiatives.
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Black Lives Matter's impact on the 2020 US election
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has had a significant impact on US politics, particularly in the lead-up to and during the 2020 US presidential election. The movement gained significant momentum following the death of George Floyd, with protests taking place across the country demanding an end to systemic racism and police brutality.
The BLM movement played a crucial role in mobilizing and engaging young Black voters, who felt frustrated and disillusioned with the political system. The movement provided a platform for young Black candidates, such as Jamaal Bowman, to challenge incumbent Democrats and offer a fresh perspective on issues of racial justice and police brutality. The protests also led to a significant increase in voter registration, with organizations like the New Georgia Project actively registering voters at BLM protests.
The impact of the BLM movement on the 2020 election was not just limited to voter engagement and registration. Academic research has found that the BLM protests had a significant impact on voting patterns and may have even played a decisive role in determining the election outcome. According to a study by Dr Bouke Klein Teeselink of King's College London and Dr Georgios Melios of the London School of Economics and Political Science, counties with BLM protests experienced a 1.2-1.8 percentage point increase in Democratic vote share compared to similar counties without protests. This increase was particularly significant in key battleground states, where the election was closely contested.
The BLM movement also influenced the policy platforms and campaign messages of the Democratic and Republican parties. For the Democrats, the movement provided an opportunity to address issues of systemic racism and police reform, with Joe Biden's campaign attempting to strike a balance between acknowledging the concerns of young Black voters and maintaining his lead in key states. On the other hand, Donald Trump attempted to paint the BLM movement as radical and dangerous, appealing to his base by emphasizing "law and order."
In conclusion, the BLM movement had a significant and multifaceted impact on the 2020 US election, shaping voter engagement, voting patterns, and policy platforms. The movement's influence extends beyond the election, as it continues to drive conversations and actions around racial justice and police reform in the United States.
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Black Lives Matter's local and national organisations
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is an international organisation advocating for the end of white supremacy, systemic racism, and violence towards Black people. BLM was founded in 2013 following the murder of Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of the man alleged to have killed him.
BLM has organised and continues to organise a number of protests and campaigns toward its mission. Notably, the protests following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 had a significant impact on the US presidential election, according to a study by King's College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science. The study found that counties with BLM protests experienced a 1.2-1.8 percentage point increase in Democratic vote share compared to similar counties without protests.
There are several ways to support BLM and other local and national organisations fighting for racial equality and justice. One way is to donate to bail funds to help free protesters and activists from jail. For instance, The National Bail Out is a collective of Black-led and Black-centred abolitionist organisers, lawyers, and activists who are seeking to create a community-based movement to end systems of pretrial detention and mass incarceration. You can donate directly to them via Act Blue. If you would prefer to donate to a bail fund operating within your local community, you can find one via this Google Doc or Twitter thread.
Another way to support BLM is to get involved with your local Black Lives Matter chapter. You can also support anti-police brutality groups, such as Mothers Against Police Brutality, or donate to Black-centred mental health resources.
It is important to note that donations made to BLM do not go to the Democratic Party or to Democratic presidential campaigns, despite claims on social media to the contrary. According to campaign finance experts, donations made on the BLM website through ActBlue, a fundraising platform, go directly to BLM. ActBlue allows candidates and liberal nonprofit organisations to set up separate accounts, and there is no crossing from one account to another.
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Frequently asked questions
No, they do not. Black Lives Matter uses ActBlue, a fundraising platform that is also associated with Democratic campaigns. However, ActBlue has no control over where donations are directed, and donations made to Black Lives Matter go directly to them.
Donations to Black Lives Matter go to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. They pass first through a nonprofit that sponsors the group.
Yes, you can donate to Black Lives Matter. You can also get involved with your local Black Lives Matter chapter or donate to other organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, such as the National Bail Out or Mothers Against Police Brutality.
