I'm writing to you today not just as a reader of The American Prospect, but as someone who believes in the power of fearless investigative journalism to shape our democracy and fight inequality. In 2024, while many corporate- and billionaire-owned newsrooms scaled back their investigative teams and laid off staff, The American Prospect dove deeper.

Our reporters covered the 2024 election with on the ground reporting in nearly 20 states, giving you the information needed to understand the election and its stakes. Even in the midst of the election, we produced a special issue on a fundamental issue in the coming years: the “cold civil war” between the states and the tactics red states use to impose their policy vision on the nation. And as always, we exposed how concentrations of corporate power hurt regular people, and what we can do about it.

But here's the reality we face: This kind of journalism—the kind that takes months of research, countless interviews, and unwavering determination—isn't cheap. And it certainly isn't funded by corporate interests or billionaire owners.

That's where you come in.

Your support has already helped us achieve remarkable things this year. Here are just a few:
We were one of the first outlets to capture independent Dan Osborn’s rise in Nebraska, and produced several pieces about that race, where Osborn outran the top of the ticket by the greatest number of any Senate race.
An article we published last year, How Secret ‘Bondage Fees’ Trap Contracted Workers in Low-Wage Jobs, directly resulted in new legislation in Minnesota to increase wages for workers.
The FTC launched an investigation into “surveillance pricing” based on our work in our June issue on How Pricing Really Works.

But the challenges ahead are even greater. As we approach 2025, democracy itself is under threat. Corporate consolidation is poised to supercharge under Trump. Economic inequality reaches new extremes, and too many news outlets are retreating from the expensive, time-consuming work of investigative journalism.

We refuse to retreat. Instead, we're doubling down. But we need you to be a part of this important project.

We have ambitious plans for 2025. We plan to turn over every stone in the quest to uncover corruption in Trump’s Washington. We will track the internal battles for power as the Democratic Party seeks to reinvent itself for the future. And we will shine the light on corporate America’s efforts to fatten their wallets at your expense.

To make this happen, we need to raise $75,000 by December 31st.

Unlike many publications, we've kept our journalism paywall-free because we believe this information needs to reach everyone, not just those who can afford it. But this model only works with the support of readers like you.

Will you join us in fighting for accountability journalism? Make a tax-deductible donation today and help power our mission into 2025 and beyond.

Thank you for being part of our community of readers who understand that democracy depends on fearless, independent journalism.

-Mitchell Grummon, Publisher, The American Prospect