Hi Reader,
A healthy democracy requires strong journalism like ProPublica’s, with the power to insist upon transparency up to the highest levels of government, businesses, institutions and more. We need folks like you to support our in-depth, fact-based, investigative journalism that shines a light on corruption, uncovers hidden truths and holds the powerful to account.
We shine that light with a purpose: Our mission is to use the moral force of investigative journalism to spur change. Our work has led to laws being passed, people resigning from powerful positions, victims receiving compensation and much more. We carefully track the impact of our work, and here are a few recent examples of stories that led to action:
School District With Highest Student Arrest Rate in the Nation Agrees to Reform How It Disciplines Disabled Students
Following a ProPublica-Chicago Tribune investigation, the Garrison School in Illinois will change its disciplinary practices and provide services to those who missed class due to being arrested or sent to a seclusion room.
Mississippi Lawmakers Move to Limit the Jail Detentions of People Awaiting Mental Health Treatment
Citing our reporting with Local Reporting Network partner Mississippi Today, lawmakers in Mississippi have overhauled the state’s civil commitment laws to limit when people can be jailed without criminal charges as they await court-ordered psychiatric treatment. Our 2023 investigation found that Mississippi is an outlier in how it routinely jails people awaiting mental health treatment for days or even weeks despite not having been charged with a crime.
More States Are Allowing Child Support Payments to Reach Children
Since we reported in 2021 that child support payments totaling $1.7 billion annually were taken from families and redirected into state coffers, at least six states have rewritten their laws and policies to allow that money to flow directly to children.
Sports Team Owners Face New Scrutiny From IRS Over Tax Avoidance
After ProPublica revealed how billionaires can generate hundreds of millions in tax savings by purchasing professional sports teams, the IRS launched a campaign to examine whether sports team owners are violating the law.
Our work has proven time and again that people and policymakers, when confronted with difficult truths, will be inspired to push for change. Our reporters dig deep, knowing that a sustained public interrogation of injustice has the power to intervene in harmful policies and practices and strengthen democratic governance. Who funds this critical work? Readers. Thanks to donations from folks like you, we’re growing larger, getting stronger and spurring more impact than ever before.
Give today and help ProPublica ensure that we continue to have the resources to follow the most important stories wherever they lead — for however long it takes.
Thanks so much,
Jill Shepherd
Proud ProPublican
