As we delve deeper into Sunshine Week 2025, it's crucial to address the pervasive issue of dark money in our political system.
Dark money refers to funds donated to nonprofit organizations that can influence elections without disclosing their donors, thereby obscuring the source of the money.
These groups typically operate as 501(c)(4) "social welfare" organizations or 501(c)(6) trade associations, which are not required to reveal their funding sources.
In the 2024 federal elections, outside spending reached a record $4.3 billion, with more than half of that amount coming from groups that do not fully disclose their funding sources.
This lack of transparency raises concerns about potential undue influence over elected officials and policy decisions, as voters are kept in the dark about who is financing political campaigns.
The surge in dark money underscores the need for stronger disclosure laws to ensure that all political contributions are transparent.
At OpenSecrets, we are dedicated to tracking and reporting on these undisclosed funds to inform the public and promote accountability in our political system.
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OpenSecrets
