The Clinton Foundation and the money

In August 2016 the Associated Press compared Clinton’s State Department calendars with foundation records. Of 154 people from outside government who met or had phone calls with her, 85 had given to the foundation or pledged through its programs. AP later clarified that the count left out federal employees and foreign officials, so it is not “half of all her meetings.” [1][2]

State Department emails released through lawsuits show foundation staff, especially Doug Band, asking Clinton’s aides for meetings or favours for donors, and aides sometimes trying to help. [3]

Clinton’s campaign said no decision was ever made because of a donation. The records support a criticism of blurred lines and special access. They do not, on their own, show a donor getting an official decision in exchange for money. [1][3]

A talking point in 2016 said the foundation gave only about 10 percent of its money to charity. That figure counts only grants to other groups. The foundation mostly runs its own programs. PolitiFact found programs were about 80 percent of 2013 spending; Charity Navigator put 2014 at 87 percent. [1]

CharityWatch, an independent rater, calculated a 78 percent program ratio for fiscal 2023. The foundation’s audited statements are filed with state regulators. The Clinton Health Access Initiative is a separate charity with its own books. [2][3][4]

That answers “is any real charity work done” (yes). It does not answer whether donors expected favours, which is a different question.

CNN totalled the Clintons’ disclosed speaking fees since Bill Clinton left office at $153 million. Their tax returns showed Bill Clinton was paid about $17.4 million by the for-profit college company Laureate from 2010. [1][2]

Doug Band’s 2011 memo, released in the hacked Podesta emails, described how his firm Teneo brought in both foundation donations and paid work for Bill Clinton, calling the effort “Bill Clinton Inc.” in TIME’s account. [3]

The fees were legal and disclosed. Critics argue paying a secretary of state’s husband is a way to curry favour; no record shows a payment tied to a State decision. [1][3]

Qatar pledged $1 million in 2011 to mark Bill Clinton’s 65th birthday. In November 2016 the foundation confirmed it accepted the gift. Under the 2008 agreement, new or increased foreign-government donations were supposed to be reviewed by State. The foundation said it did not submit this one because it was not a “material increase” in Qatar’s past support; State said it had no record of a review request. [1]

Records Grassley released on 15 December 2025 say FBI headquarters, including Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, limited the foundation case in 2016. A 20 July 2016 email told agents not to issue new subpoenas or do interviews “based on the sensitivities surrounding the Clinton Foundation.” Grassley also notes McCabe’s wife had received over $675,000 for her 2015 state senate campaign from groups linked to Terry McAuliffe, a foundation board member; McCabe recused on 1 November 2016. Prosecutors in Arkansas later reopened the matter and in 2019 recommended a referral to the inspector general about “the interference by DOJ and FBI leadership.” [1]

Grassley’s 27 April 2026 letter quotes the FBI’s 29 January 2016 opening memo, which alleged Clinton failed to disclose four donations totalling $2.35 million from Uranium One’s chairman, Ian Telfer. [2]

A separate Justice Department review led by U.S. Attorney John Huber, set up under Attorney General Jeff Sessions, wound down by January 2020 having found nothing of consequence, the Washington Post reported. [3]