PHOTO : Getty Inages

The Department of Justice has reportedly opened a federal investigation into the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) after mounting allegations that millions of dollars in donations raised during the 2020 racial justice protests may have been misused.

According to reports from AP News, the feds are looking into how millions of dollars in donations raised during the 2020 protests were handled by the foundation’s top leaders. Investigators are said to be reviewing financial records, property purchases, and consulting contracts connected to co-founder Patrisse Cullors and her former partner, Janaya Khan.

💰 Millions On The Line

Sources say the investigation digs deep into how money from donors was actually used — including a $6 million Los Angeles home that BLMGNF purchased in 2020 with donated funds. At the time, the organization said the property would serve as a creative and community space, but that purchase quickly sparked backlash online about how donations meant to fight for justice were being spent.

On top of that, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that the foundation became entangled in a legal dispute over more than $30 million in funds held by its former fiscal sponsor, the Tides Foundation. Now, investigators are reportedly trying to figure out if any of that money was mismanaged or misrepresented to donors.

🏠 Leadership Moves & Public Response

Cullors and Khan have since shut down their joint consulting business and sold a Los Angeles home connected to their work with the foundation, as first reported by The New York Post. Cullors—who stepped down from her leadership role in 2021—has continued to push back against the backlash, calling the criticism “politically motivated attacks” meant to tear down a movement she helped build.

A spokesperson for BLMGNF told AP News that the foundation “is not a target of any federal criminal investigation” and insists they remain committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible use of funds.

✊🏾 What This Means

The Black Lives Matter movement inspired a global wave of activism, raising nearly $90 million in 2020 alone. But with the DOJ now stepping in, this investigation could change how social justice organizations handle public trust, donations, and leadership transparency moving forward.

Following news of the recently launched investigation, social media users have accused Federal officials of creating a false narrative in response to the overall impact BLM has created and maintained throughout the years.

“LISTEN, BLM donated towards my son’s private school tuition, UNSOLICITED 🤏🏾🤏🏾🤏🏾 I had got a call from his school telling me that and it was in the THOUSANDS 🩷🩷🩷 Leave them TF alone..”

“They just wanted to dismantle it. Anything dealing with us organizing. The right ppl should’ve stepped in to help. It really blew overnight”

“Check them other foundations that been stealing before BLM was a thing”

Noir Nation

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