Arabella Advisors, a Democratic-linked dark money network, supports ‘youth’ tech lobbying groups.
A Pair of ”Youth-Led” Projects Lobbying for Tech Regulations Revealed as Part of Dark Money Network
A pair of projects, Design it for Us and the Log Off Movement, which claim to be grassroots initiatives advocating for more tech regulations, have been exposed as part of the largest Democratic-tied dark money network in the United States, according to records. These projects, led by college students, are demanding increased government regulation of social media and criticizing technology companies for promoting addictive products.
However, it has been revealed that Design it for Us and the Log Off Movement are actually trade names for the North Fund, a liberal nonprofit group managed by the dark money consultancy Arabella Advisors. Corporate records in Washington, D.C. confirm this association.
Financial Controversy Surrounding Arabella Advisors
Arabella Advisors, known for its extensive network of entities that sponsor projects exempt from filing tax forms with the IRS, is facing scrutiny and pressure from watchdogs and Republican lawmakers due to its dark money operations. Documents show that Arabella’s network received over $1.5 billion in 2021 from undisclosed donors.
Americans for Public Trust, an organization linked to right-leaning billionaire activist Leonard Leo’s consulting firm CRC Advisors, filed an IRS complaint accusing Arabella of unlawfully diverting income and assets to benefit its founder, Eric Kessler. Additionally, Washington, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, a Democrat, has launched an investigation into Leo and nonprofit groups associated with him.
North Fund’s Financial Activities
The North Fund, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit group, reported receiving $42.7 million in grants on its 2021 tax forms. It has distributed funds to various liberal activist organizations, including Secure Democracy, Ohio Progressive Collaborative, and Black Voters Matter Fund. Concerns have been raised about the relationship between Secure Democracy and New Venture Fund, another charity managed by Arabella, as tax experts question the arrangement.
Records show that between November 2022 and March 2023, Design it for Us and the Log Off Movement were registered as trade names for the North Fund. This indicates that both initiatives are essentially aliases for the Arabella-affiliated group, and the North Fund operates under these two different projects.
Partnerships and Political Campaigns
The Log Off Movement previously collaborated with Accountable Tech, another trade name initiative of the North Fund, to launch Design it for Us. This campaign was initiated in anticipation of the passage of the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, a tech regulation law. Accountable Tech made headlines in 2022 for attempting to block Elon Musk from acquiring Twitter (now known as X) and later joining forces with the liberal watchdog Media Matters for America to urge advertisers to sever ties with the platform.
Scott Walter, president of the conservative think tank Capital Research Center, criticized these projects, stating, “These groups like to present as grassroots-driven, and too many reporters treat them that way, when in fact the Arabella ‘dark money’ empire is orchestrating these political campaigns at the behest of left-wing megadonors.”
Requests for comment from the North Fund, Arabella Advisors, the Log Off Movement, and Design It For Us have gone unanswered.
What are the specific violations of charitable status that Arabella Advisors is being investigated for?
Mocrat, opened an investigation into Arabella Advisors in September 2021. This investigation is focused on the nonprofit violating its charitable status by engaging in political activities.
The True Motives Behind Design it for Us and the Log Off Movement
The revelation that Design it for Us and the Log Off Movement are actually fronts for the North Fund raises questions about the true motivations behind these “youth-led” projects. While they claim to be grassroots initiatives, their deep ties to a dark money network undermine their credibility.
It is concerning that college students, who are often seen as idealistic and passionate about social issues, are being used as pawns in a larger political game. The North Fund’s association with Arabella Advisors suggests that these projects are not driven by a genuine desire for tech regulation, but rather by partisan agendas and undisclosed donors with their own interests at heart.
Furthermore, the criticism of technology companies for promoting addictive products seems disingenuous when it is revealed that these projects are part of a larger dark money network. Are these projects truly advocating for the well-being of young people, or are they merely exploiting concerns over addiction as a means to push their own political agenda?
The Need for Transparent and Accountable Advocacy
This revelation highlights the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in advocacy efforts. Dark money networks, such as the one exposed here, undermine the democratic process by allowing undisclosed donors to manipulate public opinion and influence policy without scrutiny.
Citizens have the right to know who is funding these initiatives and what their true motives are. It is crucial for organizations and projects advocating for social change to be transparent about their funding sources and to operate in an ethical and accountable manner.
The issue of tech regulation is an important one, and legitimate grassroots initiatives should be supported. However, when such initiatives are used as tools by dark money networks to advance their own interests, it erodes trust in the entire system.
Conclusion
The exposure of Design it for Us and the Log Off Movement as part of a dark money network raises serious questions about their credibility and true intentions. It is essential for the public to be aware of the influence of undisclosed donors in shaping public discourse and policy.
We must demand greater transparency and accountability from advocacy organizations, ensuring that they operate in an ethical and responsible manner. Only then can we have a truly democratic and fair system that allows for genuine grassroots movements to shape policy and promote positive change.
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