Arabella Advisors
| Company type | For-profit consulting firm |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consulting, Philanthropy |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Eric Kessler |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | United States, global progressive arena |
Key people | Rick Cruz (former CEO, resigned August 1, 2023) |
| Products | Philanthropic investment consulting; management of progressive nonprofit subsidiaries |
Number of employees | Not specified (10% workforce reduction in May 2023) |
Arabella Advisors is a for-profit consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., specializing in guiding left-leaning donors and nonprofit organizations on philanthropic investments. It serves as the central hub of a politically progressive "dark money" network. Established in 2005 by Eric Kessler, a former appointee in the Clinton administration, Arabella has emerged as a significant force in progressive funding circles. The network amassed $1.6 billion and expended nearly $1.2 billion in 2020; by 2022, it secured $1.3 billion and allocated $900 million. In 2023, Arabella raised upwards of $1.3 billion in undisclosed contributions and distributed close to $1.5 billion to its affiliated groups. From its founding through 2021, the firm has handled $6.5 billion, predominantly channeling resources toward left-wing policy initiatives and litigation efforts.
Arabella incubates and administers several principal subsidiaries such as the Sixteen Thirty Fund, New Venture Fund, Hopewell Fund, Windward Fund, North Fund, and Telescope Fund. These organizations have been actively engaged in countering the Trump administration while backing Democratic candidates and their platforms. For instance, the Sixteen Thirty Fund alone allocated $410 million in 2020 to efforts aimed at defeating Trump and gaining Democratic control of the Senate.
The company’s operational model capitalizes on nonprofit frameworks to conceal donor identities; it does not reveal its funding sources publicly, although well-known contributors like billionaires George Soros and Pierre Omidyar have openly endorsed the network. This strategy has attracted scrutiny for its prominent role in progressive political financing, marking a notable transformation as Democrats increasingly adopt "dark money" tactics to boost their influence—methods they had previously condemned when employed by Republican groups.
Arabella Advisors focuses its business approach on managing substantial philanthropic capital for liberal causes through its network of subsidiaries, delivering comprehensive consulting that aligns donor objectives with strategic policy outcomes. Its Washington, D.C., headquarters situate it at the crossroads of political advocacy and nonprofit financing, enhancing its competitive positioning and expanding its reach within the global progressive arena.
Structure and funding
Founded in 2005 by Eric Kessler—whose family sold their auto parts company Fel-Pro for $750 million when he was 26—Arabella Advisors benefits from his extensive experience in philanthropy and public service. Prior to founding Arabella, Kessler held positions at the Family Alliance Foundation, League of Conservation Voters, the U.S. Department of the Interior under President Bill Clinton, and the National Democratic Institute.
The firm and its related entities utilize tax provisions that permit fiscal sponsorship arrangements exempting them from filing IRS Form 990 disclosures. These pass-through structures facilitate the movement of funds between organizations, making donor identification more complex.
In 2018, Arabella’s affiliated funds—including Sixteen Thirty Fund, New Venture Fund, Hopewell Fund, and Windward Fund—reported combined revenues totaling $635 million. The Sixteen Thirty Fund received several multi-million dollar contributions from undisclosed donors; among known supporters are Nick Hanauer, the American Federation of Teachers, the Wyss Foundation, Michael Bloomberg (through an associated super PAC), and Democracy Alliance members such as George Soros. This fund exemplifies a strategic shift by Democrats toward embracing fundraising techniques previously criticized as "dark money" strategies used by conservative entities like the Koch network.
In May 2023, Arabella implemented a workforce reduction of approximately 10%. Subsequently, CEO Rick Cruz announced his resignation effective August 1.
Between 2020 and 2021, the New Venture Fund and Windward Fund granted $473,000 to the Alliance for Global Justice, an organization involved in organizing anti-Israel demonstrations within the United States. After disclosures linked this group to Palestinian terrorist organizations following the 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel, Arabella-affiliated funds discontinued their financial support.
In March 2025, Scott Walter, president of Capital Research Center, provided senior White House officials with a briefing on liberal donor networks and fundraising activities connected to Arabella Advisors. His 2023 publication critiques Arabella’s role in progressive political finance. The briefing sought to identify potential weaknesses within Democratic fundraising and organizational frameworks, focusing partly on nonprofits accused of advancing views aligned with Hamas and supported by foreign contributors.
The Sixteen Thirty Fund
Based in Washington D.C., the Sixteen Thirty Fund is a progressive nonprofit organization recognized for channeling large financial resources into political causes while keeping its donor list confidential. By 2019, it had funneled $141 million into more than 100 left-leaning and Democratic efforts, establishing itself as a prominent backer of nonprofits that seek to shape both state and federal legislation. The Atlantic referred to it as "the undisputed heavyweight of Democratic dark money," noting its status as the second-largest super-PAC contributor in 2020, having allocated $61 million toward progressive initiatives.
The fund primarily concentrates on supporting Democratic candidates and countering Republican agendas. It was notably active in opposing the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh and supported various ballot campaigns. During the 2018 midterm elections, it sponsored numerous organizations that ran issue advocacy advertisements favorable to Democrats and financed Demand Justice, which invested millions in efforts to block Kavanaugh’s confirmation. According to OpenSecrets, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, along with the New Venture Fund, has provided fiscal sponsorship to at least 80 entities, thereby obscuring the origins of their funding.
During the 2018 House races, the fund played a key role in backing Democrats seeking to regain control following Trump's election, even though many candidates expressed concerns about the influence of large sums of money in politics. Utilizing multiple trade names—such as Arizonans United for Health Care and Floridians for a Fair Shake—it collectively spent millions on advertising and activism aimed at pressuring Republican legislators on healthcare and economic issues.
In Colorado's 2018 election cycle, the fund invested close to $11 million across ballot initiatives, lobbying efforts, and Democratic super PACs. It raised $137 million in 2019 and escalated spending to $410 million in 2020, largely to support Democrats in their efforts to defeat President Donald Trump and reclaim Senate majority. Its expenditures included financing attack advertisements targeting Trump and vulnerable Republicans, opposing Trump’s Supreme Court nominees, backing progressive state ballot measures, and challenging Republican tax and healthcare policies. Interestingly, it also donated $10.5 million to Defending Democracy Together, a conservative anti-Trump organization founded by Bill Kristol.
In 2020 alone, the Sixteen Thirty Fund amassed $390 million in contributions, with half coming from just four donors; billionaire Pierre Omidyar publicly revealed a $45 million donation that year. The organization also accepted anonymous gifts as large as $50 million and distributed grants to more than 200 recipient groups. Among its strategic investments was a $500,000 grant to Colorado Families First supporting a paid family leave ballot measure in Colorado.
New Venture Fund
The New Venture Fund reported revenues of $405 million in 2018, marking an increase from its previous annual figures of approximately $350 million. Data from OpenSecrets indicates that it has fiscally sponsored over 80 organizations and functioned as an intermediary for millions of dollars in grants from affluent donors to groups with minimal disclosure requirements.
Windward Fund
Established in 2015, the Windward Fund distributed $715 million in 2019 alongside the New Venture Fund and Hopewell Fund. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity, Windward supports various programs including the Heartland Fund and Rewiring America. It also allocated $2.2 million toward campaigns aimed at prohibiting gas stoves.
Demand Justice
Demand Justice, directed by Brian Fallon, who formerly served as Hillary Clinton’s press secretary, is an advocacy group centered on judicial issues. The organization allocated millions to oppose Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, including conducting public awareness campaigns that highlighted Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations of assault.
Fix the Court
Fix the Court, a group advocating for reforms in the U.S. federal judiciary, receives full financial support from the New Venture Fund. During Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination process, Fix the Court purchased related domain names and redirected visitors to resources for survivors of sexual assault. Executive Director Gabe Roth endorsed these measures in response to accusations involving Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas.
Defend American Democracy
Defend American Democracy spent six-figure sums on television advertisements urging Republican members of Congress to impeach President Donald Trump, accusing him of "misusing his office and endangering national security for personal benefit." The organization focuses on Republicans in swing districts, featuring military veterans in its ads and presenting itself as a veterans’ group. According to OpenSecrets, it forms part of a well-funded liberal "dark money" network. These ads were financed by "Protect the Investigation," a shell entity registered by the Sixteen Thirty Fund.
The Hub Project
Established in 2015 with backing from the Wyss Foundation, headed by Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss, The Hub Project seeks to influence media narratives to further Democratic objectives. It aids Democrats in improving communication through news outlets and direct voter engagement, aiming to reshape public discourse and sway policy decisions of influential figures. The Hub Project conducted paid campaigns against Republican congressional candidates in 2018 and operates within Arabella-affiliated entities such as the New Venture Fund and Sixteen Thirty Fund. From 2007 to 2020, the Wyss Foundation contributed approximately $56.5 million to these organizations. The New Venture Fund also supports Acronym (political organization), which owns the Courier Newsroom, promoting Democratic candidates via localized news coverage and advertising.
Based in Washington D.C., The Hub Project oversees 14 associated groups targeting Republican policies on health care and economic issues during midterm elections. Leadership includes Obama administration alumnus and communications expert Leslie Dach alongside former Center for American Progress strategist Arkadi Gerney. The Project has launched affiliate organizations with neutral-sounding names such as Keep Iowa Healthy and New Jersey for a Better Future, designed to mobilize volunteers and run issue-oriented advertisements against Republican congressional members well before elections.
America Votes
In 2018, America Votes received $27 million from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, nearly doubling its prior annual fundraising totals. Branding itself as "the coordination hub of the progressive community," America Votes utilizes substantial funding to drive progressive political initiatives.
Ballot Initiatives
The Sixteen Thirty Fund played a significant role in backing major ballot initiatives, such as automatic voter registration in Nevada, redistricting reforms in Michigan, Florida’s 2018 amendment reinstating voting rights for felons, and increases to the minimum wage in Arkansas and Missouri. Their method of channeling funds through various trade names conceals the true origins of financial support for candidates and ballot measures, thereby reducing transparency and limiting public oversight. For instance, a donor organization in Michigan postponed revealing its trade name until after the election had concluded.
League of Conservation Voters
In 2018, the Sixteen Thirty Fund allocated $8 million to the League of Conservation Voters, enhancing its capacity to influence environmental policy advocacy.
ACRONYM and Courier Newsroom
In 2018, the New Venture Fund granted $250,000 to Acronym (political organization), identified as a liberal dark money group with an associated super PAC known as PACRONYM. By 2019, ACRONYM had acquired full ownership of Courier Newsroom, a digital media firm that runs websites mimicking local news outlets but operates in coordination with Democratic strategists to spread partisan messaging. This approach leverages the decline of local journalism to promote political narratives.
The Sixteen Thirty Fund also supported social media accounts for five faux local news platforms that shared identical digital advertisements under fabricated names, creating the appearance of independent news sources. Furthermore, it is connected to Supermajority News and Democracy PAC—established by George Soros in 2019—which contributed $1.75 million to PACRONYM. ACRONYM attracted scrutiny as the majority owner of Shadow Inc., whose software failure during the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses underscored vulnerabilities in political technology initiatives.
COVID-19 Pandemic
During 2020, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, associated with Arabella Advisors, invested millions in advertising campaigns criticizing President Donald Trump’s response to the COVID-19 crisis ahead of the presidential election. Arabella aimed to raise between $8 million and $10 million for the Trusted Elections Fund to mitigate potential election disruptions caused by the pandemic, including foreign interference and disputes over results.
Editing of Wikipedia Page
In June 2020, Arabella drew attention after employing a paid editor to seek modifications to its Wikipedia entry, a development covered by several news organizations.