Biden’s Presidential Library Fundraising Struggles
Former President Joe Biden is facing challenges in raising funds for his presidential library, as a report from the New York Times suggests he has only secured a “fraction” of the necessary amount.
According to the article, interviews with donors and public filings indicate that Biden’s library foundation will not be receiving new donations in 2024. It appears that the foundation initially started with $4 million left from the 2021 presidential inauguration.
The Library Foundation hasn’t disclosed how much it raised in 2025. Biden himself mentioned that he is just beginning to actively seek contributions for the project.
Interestingly, the Times reports that the foundation has informed the Internal Revenue Service it expects to raise only $11.3 million by 2027, significantly less than the $200 million target set by his aides. This shows a much slower pace compared to the libraries of other recent presidents.
For instance, former President Barack Obama’s Presidential Center in Chicago has raised an impressive $1.5 billion so far, while Donald Trump is attempting to gather over $950 million for his planned library in Miami.
The funding situation has led to discussions of possibly merging Biden’s new library with some existing facilities being developed at the University of Delaware, which could provide access to additional funds that the university has earmarked for Biden Hall.
Interestingly, some of Biden’s loyal donors have reported not being approached for contributions, while others expressed they are unlikely to support the library, especially those more focused on opposing Trump or frustrated with Biden’s tenure.
John Morgan, a prominent Democratic donor, indicated he wouldn’t contribute because of issues with Biden’s staff. He contrasted this with his more positive experiences with former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, noting their better relationships with supporters facilitated significant fundraising efforts.
The Biden library foundation has indicated that it paused fundraising to allow for thorough research, including visits to other presidential libraries. While Biden has expressed a desire for the library to be located in Delaware, aides have suggested a vision for a smaller, less expensive facility compared to Obama’s large center.
Moreover, Biden Hall and the proposed library are now seen as competing projects, with supporters expressing a preference for combining the two to better engage potential donors.
The University of Delaware has stated it is not diverting funds for the library project and has chosen not to comment on a possible merger of the two initiatives. A spokesperson for Biden noted that they are still in the planning stage.
