According to a recent investigation, Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of CodePink, has seen her family foundation, Arc of Justice, provide considerable funding to various left-wing activist groups over more than twenty years. This foundation has contributed nearly $3.2 million to CodePink itself, as well as supporting numerous protest groups, legal advocacy organizations, and progressive nonprofits.
Previously known as The Benjamin Fund, Arc of Justice is a private foundation with assets of about $54.6 million. An examination of its IRS filings reveals it has awarded nearly 1,500 grants totaling approximately $24.6 million, mainly to organizations engaged in anti-war activism, progressive policies, and campaigns related to immigration, China, Cuba, and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
CodePink was among the top beneficiaries, alongside other organizations like Global Exchange, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and Social Good Fund. In fact, Arc of Justice gave more than double the funding to CodePink compared to the $1.33 million from a funding network associated with Neville Roy Singham, a Marxist tech financier from Shanghai.
Arc of Justice has faced scrutiny recently, especially after California revoked its charitable status due to longstanding compliance issues, although the foundation is currently working to rectify its standing with the state’s regulators.
Benjamin, who has remained a prominent figure in CodePink’s activism, often leads protests and has been known to interrupt congressional sessions. Recently, she was removed from a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee meeting after her protests during the proceedings.
Funding Overview
Since 2009, Arc of Justice has been a reliable financial source for CodePink, contributing grants over 15 tax years for a total of $3,195,280. This organization has been its largest beneficiary. Over the same timeframe, the foundation also directed about $2.05 million to Global Exchange, which Benjamin co-founded, focusing on anti-war and social justice initiatives.
Other notable allocations include $2.24 million to Grassroots International, $1.61 million to Social Good Fund, and $1.29 million to the Center for Constitutional Rights. Concerns have been raised about some funding streams, particularly regarding Alliance for Global Justice, an activist nonprofit that once sponsored Samidoun, sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury. In response to questions, Benjamin stated that the foundation was unaware of any problematic associations when grants were made.
The financial contributions from the foundation span a wide activist network, with funds reaching organizations such as World Beyond War and Democracy Now!, which have hosted Benjamin over the years.
Activism Background
Founded in 2002 primarily to prevent the Iraq War, CodePink has emerged as a major force in anti-war protests, often targeting high-ranking U.S. officials in their demonstrations and mobilizing against various national policies, including issues related to China and U.S. immigration enforcement. Earlier this year, they even organized a trip to Cuba involving political streaming figures.
Matthew Johnson, a senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, highlighted that consistent financial support like that from Arc can significantly influence the media landscape and public opinion in America.
While Benjamin asserts that the foundation’s contributions were specifically aimed at enhancing CodePink’s anti-war activities, she firmly denied any suggestions of foreign influence. “I’ve been an anti-war activist since the Vietnam War,” she emphasized, underscoring her autonomy in activism.
Financial Genesis
The foundation has its roots in contributions from Benjamin’s family, starting with her father, who made substantial early donations that set the foundation’s financial foundation. In the years following, large sums continued to flow from her family’s estate, boosting the foundation’s endowment significantly.
Wealth Management
Arc of Justice’s fortune has largely expanded through its investments, with assets growing from $39.63 million at the end of 2020 to $54.64 million in 2024. The foundation’s grants have continued even as these assets grew, indicating a healthy investment strategy.
Shifting Directions
After losing its charitable registration in California, a new nonprofit with the same name was created in Florida, prompting questions about the foundation’s future operations. The inconspicuous Miami address of this new entity contrasts sharply with the larger sums once managed by the California foundation.
There is some ambiguity regarding the foundation’s new leadership direction, especially following Benjamin’s resignation from its board. The current administration plans to refocus grantmaking priorities towards domestic programs supporting children and families in need, shifting the course away from its historical funding practices.
While Benjamin’s future role with the foundation remains unclear, the stated aims of the new Florida entity indicate a renewed emphasis on supporting social justice-focused nonprofits. The foundation seems to be navigating a complex transition period while attempting to regain its compliance and uphold its mission.
