President Biden's primary re-election super PAC, Future Forward, has received substantial funding from a network of dark money nonprofits, raising questions about transparency in campaign finance. A New York Times report highlighted Future Forward as the central outside fundraising vehicle for Biden's 2024 campaign, with senior White House adviser Anita Dunn praising its effectiveness.
Future Forward's affiliated nonprofit, Future Forward USA Action, funnels millions into the super PAC while shielding donor identities. This practice obscures the sources of significant financial support for Biden's campaign. A key player in this network is the Impetus Fund, a shadowy group formed in 2020 with minimal online presence. Its president is Ezra Reese, an attorney at the Elias Law Group. The board includes Arabella Advisors' chief legal counsel, further linking it to the network.
During the 2020 election, the Impetus Fund received $67 million from a seemingly single, anonymous donor and distributed most of it to various nonprofits, including $55.8 million to Future Forward USA Action. This substantial donation represents a significant portion of Future Forward USA Action's 2020 revenue. Since the 2020 election, Future Forward USA Action has channeled $77 million to the Future Forward PAC, accounting for over 40% of the PAC's funds. The origin of these funds remains hidden.
Other Arabella-managed groups, such as the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the North Fund, and the Hopewell Fund, also contributed millions to Future Forward USA Action in 2020. Arabella Advisors, which manages a vast dark money network supporting liberal causes, also operates the Impetus Fund. In 2020, Arabella Advisors received nearly $2.7 million for managing the Impetus Fund.
Critics, like Caitlin Sutherland of Americans for Public Trust, express concern over the lack of transparency in this funding network, particularly given concerns about dark money in politics. Both the Impetus Fund and Future Forward USA Action have been relatively inactive since the last election, but their role in the upcoming 2024 election remains to be seen. Neither organization responded to inquiries about their activities or plans. Future Forward's leader, Chauncey McLean, has stated their intention to maintain a low profile.
