United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2007
Ownership
ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom founded in 2007 by veteran editor Paul Steiger together with Herbert and Marion Sandler, the former chief executives of Golden West Financial. It is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) and governed by its own board of directors; Herb Sandler served as founding board chairman until 2016. No corporation, party or government controls it.
Funding
ProPublica is financed almost entirely by philanthropy. Initial seed funding came from the Sandler Foundation (around $10 million a year at the outset), and it has since diversified to major foundations such as the MacArthur, Ford and Knight foundations, large individual gifts (including a $10 million donation from MacKenzie Scott in 2020), small reader donations and modest earned revenue from co-publishing. It discloses donors who give more than $50,000.
Affiliation & stance
ProPublica has no party, state or commercial-owner control; it is a donor-funded nonprofit investigative outlet. Because its governance and funding are independent of any government or political organization, it is classified INDEPENDENT, with an investigative, CENTER_LEFT editorial profile.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 81
78/100
Factual
73/100
Objective
81
Articles
81
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
How ProPublica Reporters Became Private School Owners in 24 Hours
ProPublica reporters conducted an investigative experiment to explore how easily someone can open a private school in certain U.S. states, particularly focusing on Arkansas, West Virginia, and North Carolina. They discovered that in Arkansas, the only requirement to operate a private school is displaying a flag and flagpole, highlighting lax regulations. The team, which includes journalists with expertise in education reporting, aimed to test whether non-educators could legally establish such institutions, especially given the rapid growth of privately funded schools across the country. Their goal was to shed light on the lack of oversight surrounding these schools, which often receive public funding through voucher systems. The experiment involved collaboration with local news organizations in each state, and the team emphasized transparency by disclosing their identities during the application process. They also established ethical boundaries, ensuring they would not enroll students or use public resources for personal gain.
Oklahoma Oil Company Plugs Disposal Well That Posed Threat to City’s Drinking Water
An Oklahoma oil and gas company permanently sealed a disposal well known as the 'Flying Monkey' after an investigative report by The Frontier and ProPublica exposed regulatory violations. The well, located just a quarter-mile from Enid's municipal groundwater supply sites, was approved in 2018 without required hearings to assess potential contamination risks. The city of Enid had previously requested the state to revoke the well's operating permit due to its proximity to drinking water sources. The well was finally plugged in September 2024 by its new owner, BCE-Mach III Midstream Holdings LLC, which claimed the well was 'underutilized.' City officials expressed relief but were unaware of the sealing until notified. The original operator, Hinkle Oil & Gas, had falsely marked the well as not being near public water supplies during its initial permit application.
Watch: We Uncovered Bribery Allegations Involving Susan Collins
ProPublica reports that in late 2024, the FBI launched a bribery investigation involving Sen. Susan Collins and Martin Kao, CEO of defense contractor Navatek. Kao allegedly arranged illegal campaign contributions through a shell company to support Collins' re-election efforts in exchange for securing $32 million in naval contracts for Navatek. Despite the FBI uncovering the scheme, the investigation stalled after former President Trump regained power, leading to the dismantling of anti-corruption enforcement agencies. Kao, facing potential prison time, disclosed the full extent of the scheme to the FBI, which had previously indicted him for illegal campaign contributions. Collins' office denied the allegations, calling ProPublica's reporting a 'smear job,' while the White House and FBI stated they found no evidence implicating Collins. Navatek's founder criticized Kao's tactics as unethical and illegal.
Her Agency Distributes Billions for Housing Projects. Her Husband’s Company Helped Develop Some of Them.
Andrea Bell, director of Oregon Housing and Community Services, oversees over $1.4 billion in state funding for rent-restricted apartments over five years, plus federal tax credits. Her husband, Joshua Crites, works for JH Brawner, a consulting firm that develops subsidized housing projects receiving funds from Bell’s agency. The firm has created 20,000 low-income housing units costing $3 billion. Oregon law requires officials to disclose spouses' income sources if conflicts exist, but Bell did not fully disclose her husband’s employment until ProPublica requested it. Her disclosures were incomplete and contained errors. A gubernatorial spokesperson stated the governor had not been informed of any conflict. Bell later amended her disclosures after being questioned, but did not comment on her involvement in projects involving her husband’s firm.
How Texas Helped a Private School Chain’s AI Tool Get Into Public School Classrooms
ProPublica reports that Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath played a significant role in helping a private school chain named Alpha Schools integrate its AI educational tool into public school classrooms. Morath initiated contact with Alpha School representatives in September 2025 and had previously supported their attempt to establish a charter school using the same AI technology, which was ultimately rejected by the Texas State Board of Education. Despite this rejection, Morath and his Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff engaged in extensive communication with Alpha School affiliates, including campus visits, providing materials for school districts, and facilitating introductions to key educators. At least three districts, Houston, Fort Davis, and Aldine, launched pilot programs with the AI tool. However, the full scope of the TEA's involvement and the number of districts utilizing the AI program remain undisclosed. The TEA has not provided detailed responses to inquiries and has resisted releasing more communications.
Four Kids in One Faith-Healing Family Died. Authorities Could Do Nothing.
ProPublica reports on a series of preventable child deaths linked to a faith-healing sect in Idaho, the Followers of Christ, which rejects modern medical treatment. Between 2015 and 2025, at least 15 children from this group died due to untreated conditions like diabetes and infections that could have been managed with basic medical interventions such as insulin, antibiotics, or oxygen. The article highlights how Idaho law provides broad religious exemptions, shielding parents from legal accountability and preventing authorities from intervening even after multiple fatalities. Emma Joyce, a 3-year-old, died in 2009 from complications of untreated diabetes, followed by her younger sister Ava Joan, who died in 2010 from the same cause. Subsequent siblings also succumbed to similar issues, with some deaths attributed to conditions that are rare in modern medical contexts. Healthcare professionals reviewing the cases noted that most deaths could have been prevented with timely medical care, yet the legal framework allows these practices to continue unchecked.
A Girl Nearly Died After Drinking Raw Milk. The State Did Little to Punish the Unlicensed Farmer Who Sold It.
Emily Marris sought raw goat milk for her 17-month-old daughter Brooklyn, believing it might alleviate constipation. The milk, purchased from an unlicensed farm recommended by her chiropractor via a Facebook group, led to a severe E. coli infection. Doctors linked the illness to the unpasteurized milk, which had not been heat-treated to eliminate pathogens. Another child from the same farm also fell ill with similar symptoms. California has regulations requiring raw milk farms to be licensed, inspected, and tested for pathogens, with clear labeling of risks. However, the infected milk came from an unlicensed, unregulated farm that sold unlabeled milk directly to consumers. Text messages revealed the farm owner was aware toddlers were consuming the milk and continued advertising it despite knowing of the illnesses. Regulators, including the California Department of Food and Agriculture, investigated but faced challenges in enforcing laws against unlicensed sales.
“A Massive Power Grab”: White House Proposal Threatens Funding That Helps Disabled Americans Vote
ProPublica reports on a White House proposal that would restrict the use of federal grant money for voter registration drives and related activities, threatening programs that assist disabled and elderly Americans in accessing the ballot box. Amy Miller, a lawyer with Disability Rights Nebraska, highlights the importance of such services, particularly for individuals with physical disabilities or limited mobility who struggle with traditional voting methods. The proposal, led by OMB director Russell Vought, aligns with broader Trump administration policies aimed at limiting voter registration efforts, including the SAVE America Act, which requires in-person ID verification for voter registration. Previous actions include banning NGOs from conducting registration at naturalization ceremonies and restricting college use of work-study funds for voting initiatives. Advocacy groups argue these measures disproportionately impact marginalized communities with historical barriers to voting.
The Untold Origins of Trump’s Plan to Sharply Restrict Mail-In Voting
ProPublica reports that the Trump administration initially proposed a drastic plan to restrict mail-in voting by requiring all ballots to be delivered via certified mail, which would have necessitated voters being home to sign for deliveries. This plan faced strong opposition from the Postal Service, leading to its abandonment. Despite this, the administration proceeded with a revised executive order that still imposed significant restrictions, including allowing postal workers to act as gatekeepers and assigning responsibility to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who lacks oversight over the Postal Service. Internal discussions within the Postal Service revealed concerns about complying with the order, with some board members fearing retaliation from the administration. The article highlights the involvement of key figures like J. Brian Sikma in shaping the policy and underscores the lack of transparency and accountability in the process.
Arizona Lawmaker Proposes More Federal Support for English Fluency Services
Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat, introduced three bills aimed at improving English fluency services for students by funding literacy classes, dual language programs, and teacher training. The proposals follow reports by Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica that Arizona lowered the passing score for its English proficiency test, potentially pushing thousands of students out of language assistance programs before they are proficient. The change was approved by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, a Republican who supports English-only policies. Grijalva's legislation would provide grants to colleges partnering with underserved school districts to train teachers, prioritizing those with experience as English learners or from underrepresented groups. Horne criticized the proposal, arguing that bilingual education undermines English proficiency and limits students' future opportunities. The state's Department of Education defended the change by noting it tested the exam on native English speakers to establish a baseline, unlike the previous update in 2020.
Two Years After Hurricane Helene, People Are Still Allowed to Live in Harm’s Way
Two years after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of North Carolina, particularly the western region including Asheville, many residents still live in areas prone to flooding. The storm caused over 250 deaths, with 108 in North Carolina alone, and left hundreds of thousands without power for extended periods. In Asheville, residents lacked access to clean water for 53 days. The disaster was exacerbated by saturated soil in the Appalachian Mountains, leading to severe mudslides and landslides that contributed to fatalities. Mobile home parks, such as the one in Haywood County, continue to host residents in high-risk zones due to outdated federal flood policies. Joe Rogers, who lived in a mobile home just 100 feet from a river, experienced repeated flooding, culminating in a tragic event during Hurricane Helene where his wife was lost after the home was swept away. Similar incidents occurred in prior storms, highlighting ongoing risks for residents in these vulnerable areas.
I Deliberately Bet Like a Problem Gambler. DraftKings Made Me a VIP.
The article describes the author's experience with online sports betting through DraftKings, highlighting their transformation from a casual bettor to a compulsive gambler. Over a short period, the author incurred significant financial losses, spending around $12,500 on the platform. DraftKings implemented self-exclusion tools to promote responsible gambling, such as limiting daily deposits and usage time. However, the company simultaneously used targeted promotions to encourage continued engagement, creating a tension between profit motives and consumer protection. This situation has sparked a broader public policy debate regarding regulation, addiction prevention, and the ethical responsibilities of gambling platforms.
What Does Your Data Reveal About Sports Betting Apps? Help ProPublica Find Out.
ProPublica is seeking input from individuals who have used sports betting apps such as FanDuel and DraftKings to investigate how these platforms encourage continued usage and when they issue warnings about responsible gaming. The organization aims to collect data from at least 250 users to analyze the strategies employed by these apps, including incentives like VIP programs and prompts for caution. Users are encouraged to share their transaction histories and experiences, while those with industry experience can contribute additional insights. ProPublica emphasizes that without this information, it will be difficult to fully understand the operational practices of these companies.