Nonprofit with ties to Stacey Abrams received $2 Billion in taxpayer funds, initially reported only $100 in revenue

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has uncovered that $2 billion in taxpayer funds was designated for Power Forward Communities, a newly established nonprofit with ties to Stacey Abrams. This allocation was part of a larger $20 billion in eco grants awarded by the Biden administration's EPA in April 2024, despite the nonprofit initially reporting only $100 in revenue. Concerns have been raised about the propriety and oversight of these funds.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative led by Elon Musk under the Trump administration, recently uncovered a $2 billion grant allocated to a nonprofit called Power Forward Communities, which has ties to Stacey Abrams, a prominent Georgia Democrat and former gubernatorial candidate. This discovery has sparked significant controversy and raised questions about transparency, accountability, and potential political favoritism in the allocation of taxpayer funds.

The $2 billion grant was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2024 as part of the Biden administration’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) program, a $20 billion initiative stemming from the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at supporting climate-related projects. Power Forward Communities was one of eight recipients of these funds, which were intended to promote "affordable decarbonization" of homes and apartments, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

What makes this allocation stand out is Power Forward Communities’ profile: the nonprofit was established in late 2023, just months before receiving the grant, and reported only $100 in revenue during its initial three months of operation, according to tax filings. This stark contrast—$100 in revenue versus a $2 billion grant—has fueled skepticism about the organization’s capacity to manage such a massive sum and the process by which it was selected.

Stacey Abrams’ Connection

Stacey Abrams is linked to Power Forward Communities through multiple avenues:

• Rewiring America: Abrams serves as senior counsel for Rewiring America, a key partner in the Power Forward Communities coalition. This group advocates for electrification and a shift away from fossil fuels. Abrams publicly expressed enthusiasm for the coalition, stating in 2024 that she was “thrilled” to be part of its efforts to expand access to clean energy.

• Other Nonprofits: Power Forward Communities lists additional partners founded by Abrams, including the Southern Economic Advancement Project (focused on racial equity and economic power in the South) and Fair Count (a voting rights organization). Both were established after her 2018 gubernatorial loss.

• Climate Power: Abrams serves on the national advisory board of Climate Power, alongside American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten. This group ran a $55 million ad campaign in 2024 supporting Kamala Harris’s presidential bid, overlapping with the period when the grant was awarded.

Abrams was also a vocal supporter of Biden’s green energy agenda, notably defending him in a July 2024 op-ed as calls grew for him to exit the presidential race. The grant to Power Forward Communities was finalized the following month, adding to speculation about political motivations.

DOGE’s Role and Findings

DOGE, tasked with identifying and eliminating government waste, fraud, and abuse, began scrutinizing federal spending after Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. On February 13, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that his team, alongside DOGE officials, discovered that the Biden administration had “parked” the $20 billion GGRF—including the $2 billion for Power Forward Communities—at Citibank before leaving office. This move limited federal oversight and restricted the Trump administration’s ability to redirect or claw back the funds, though Zeldin has made retrieving them a priority.

Zeldin called the allocation “extremely concerning,” noting that an organization with virtually no financial history receiving a grant 20 million times its reported revenue defied common sense. Critics, including energy advocate Daniel Turner, have gone further, labeling it “out and out fraud” and questioning how a newly formed nonprofit with no apparent expertise could secure such funding.

Broader Context

This discovery fits into DOGE’s wider mission. Earlier in February 2025, the group identified $4.7 trillion in Treasury payments missing critical tracking codes, $1.9 billion “misplaced” at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and various other instances of alleged waste. The Abrams-linked grant has become a focal point due to her high profile and the sheer scale of the funds involved.

Reactions and Implications

• Public and Political Outrage: Posts on X and media reports reflect widespread anger, with some calling it a “scandal” or “grift.” Sentiment ranges from demands for accountability to accusations of systemic corruption in Democratic-led initiatives.

• Ethics Questions: The grant’s timing, Abrams’ connections, and the nonprofit’s minimal track record have raised suspicions of favoritism. However, no concrete evidence has emerged proving personal enrichment or illegal activity by Abrams herself.

• Policy Clash: Some see this as a battle between Biden-era climate priorities and Trump’s cost-cutting agenda. The funds’ fate may depend on whether the Trump administration can legally reverse the allocations.

As of February 19, 2025, the $2 billion remains part of the broader $20 billion GGRF pot, with only a small portion disbursed so far. The Trump administration, via DOGE and the EPA, is working to regain control of these funds, though legal and logistical challenges persist due to their placement outside direct federal oversight. Investigations and audits by DOGE are ongoing, and this story continues to evolve as more details emerge. 17GEN4.com