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Although former President Joe Biden initiated his presidential library foundation a year ago, he has faced significant challenges in securing the necessary funds, raising doubts about the library’s potential to become a standalone institution.
A recent report by the New York Times highlights that, based on public records and conversations with donors, the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Presidential Library Foundation is projected to gather a mere $11.3 million by 2027. This amount falls considerably short of the typical financial requirements for constructing a modern presidential library. Notably, no new contributions were made in 2024, with the foundation’s initial funding coming from $4 million left over from Biden’s 2021 inauguration funds.
As of late 2025, Biden has not organized any significant fundraising events for the library. However, the first donor reception is set for this coming Monday in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C. While the foundation hasn’t disclosed the fundraising achievements for 2025, they have indicated that Biden is now stepping up his fundraising efforts.
The New York Times points out that Biden’s anticipated $11.3 million pales in comparison to the fundraising success of other recent presidents. For instance, the Obama Foundation has amassed over $1.5 billion for the expansive Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Despite facing construction overruns and local opposition, the center is scheduled to open in 2026, with more than $850 million secured for its development. However, financial disclosures have raised concerns regarding the foundation’s limited endowment and possible taxpayer liabilities, compounded by increasing operational costs.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has plans to establish his library in Miami, with a fundraising target nearing $1 billion. Trump has already acquired land and initial funding through legal settlements and private donations. The Florida Cabinet gave formal approval to Trump’s project in September 2025, promoting it as a significant civic draw for Miami.
The Biden library foundation’s difficulties appear compounded by donor fatigue and intra-party discontent. Several top Democrat donors, including longtime bundler John Morgan, have expressed disinterest or outright refusal to contribute, citing poor treatment by Biden’s staff. “He’ll be lucky to have a bookmobile,” Morgan told the New York Times. Some donors have said they are more focused on defeating Donald Trump or are reluctant to contribute due to frustrations with Biden’s presidency. Separately, Axios revealed that Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter further alienated some Democrats, with a number of donors threatening to withhold support for the library effort.
The Biden library foundation is currently chaired by Rufus Gifford, a Democrat fundraiser and former U.S. chief of protocol. Its executive directors include two of Biden’s closest aides, Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal. Over the summer, the group hired a consulting firm, CCS Fundraising, to assess financial prospects. In September, the Bidens sent letters inviting prospective supporters to participate in 45-minute interviews to gauge donation potential.
Given the fundraising shortfall, some of President Biden’s donors have suggested merging the future library with existing Biden institutions at the University of Delaware. The university has raised at least $22 million—including $20 million from the Delaware state government—to construct “Biden Hall.” While such a merger might allow the library project to share resources and reduce costs, both the university and the Biden foundation declined to comment on whether consolidation is being considered.
At present, the Biden library exists only on the National Archives website and as a corporate entity incorporated in December 2024. It has not selected a specific site in Delaware, though locations in Wilmington have been discussed. The library’s stated $200 million fundraising goal remains far out of reach.
