Hi Reader,
ProPublica was founded in 2008 with the belief that investigative journalism is critical to our democracy. Fifteen years later, with thousands of stories under our belt, millions of readers and over 50,000 donors, our belief in the power of this kind of journalism has only grown stronger. We’ve proven that collectively, we can have a big impact on our society.
ProPublica’s journalism, fueled by donations from readers, has spurred:
Funding: Officials in Wisconsin recently approved an $8 million fund for farmworkers’ housing as well as measures to improve access to government services for people who don’t speak English. This follows our report on the tragic 2019 death of a Nicaraguan boy on a dairy farm in the state. We also reported on a new $100 million victims fund, set up by Columbia University after ProPublica exposed how the school repeatedly ignored warnings of a predatory OB-GYN who was on staff and who is now in prison.
Policy changes: New federal rules aimed at speeding along repatriations of Native American remains and sacred items were issued after our “Repatriation Project” series, which shone a light on loopholes and other issues surrounding the handling of remains and artifacts. And a ProPublica-New Yorker investigation highlighting states overrun with for-profit hospices and questionable tactics for earning revenue prompted enhanced oversight of new facilities in four states.
Judgements: A judge ruled this year that the Trump Organization used fraud to hype property values. This is something ProPublica was the first news organization to point out back in 2019.
Calls for investigation: Just last month, Tennessee lawmakers demanded an audit of practices at a Knoxville juvenile detention center, after a ProPublica and WPLN story exposed how kids there were locked up alone in cells more than in any other facility in the state.
We cannot do this work without our readers standing behind us, cheering us on and helping us out with funding. It’s so easy to join us; any amount makes you a member of ProPublica. It’s about participation and the immense power of many. Join us today and stand up for our collective ability to turn tides with facts and information. You’ll be fueling our investigations right now and into the year ahead.
Thanks so much,
Jill Shepherd
Proud ProPublican
