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Former President Joe Biden faces significant challenges in funding his presidential library, raising questions about its viability as an independent entity. Despite the establishment of the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Presidential Library Foundation over a year ago, the fundraising efforts have yet to gain substantial momentum.
A report by the New York Times highlights the foundation’s financial struggles, revealing that it plans to garner only $11.3 million by the close of 2027. This figure pales in comparison to the funds typically required to develop a contemporary presidential library. Alarmingly, there were no new contributions made in 2024, and the foundation’s initial funding stemmed from $4 million left over from Biden’s 2021 inauguration.
By the end of 2025, Biden had not hosted any major fundraising events dedicated to the library. The inaugural donor reception is scheduled for the upcoming Monday in Washington D.C.’s Georgetown area. While the foundation has not publicly shared the amount raised in 2025, it has indicated that Biden is now ramping up his fundraising activities.
According to the New York Times, Biden’s anticipated fundraising total of $11.3 million is significantly lower than that of his predecessors. For instance, the Obama Foundation has successfully raised over $1.5 billion for its expansive Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Despite facing budget overruns and local opposition, the center is expected to open in 2026, with more than $850 million already allocated for construction. However, financial disclosures have raised concerns about limited endowment funding, potential taxpayer burdens, and increasing operational expenses.
On the other hand, former President Donald Trump is planning to establish his library in Miami, targeting nearly $1 billion in fundraising. Trump has already secured land and financial backing through legal settlements and private contributions. His project received formal approval from the Florida Cabinet in September 2025 and is being touted as a major civic draw in Miami.
The Biden library foundation’s efforts are further hindered by donor fatigue and internal party dissatisfaction. Key Democratic donors, including prominent fundraiser John Morgan, have shown little interest or outright refusal to contribute, citing unsatisfactory interactions with Biden’s team. “He’ll be lucky to have a bookmobile,” Morgan remarked to the New York Times. Some donors are more focused on defeating Trump or are hesitant to contribute due to their frustrations with Biden’s presidency. Additionally, Axios reported that Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter, has estranged some Democrats, with several donors threatening to withhold support for the library initiative.
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.
