Hi Reader,

Investigative journalism, the kind we do here at ProPublica, is difficult for many newsrooms. Time-consuming and expensive, it’s often the first kind of reporting to be cut when money is tight. And it’s no secret that newsrooms have been facing difficulties for a long time.

But investigative journalism is also one of the most powerful tools we have to hold our government institutions, our elected officials, and big businesses accountable. Here’s an example: Last month, ProPublica and the Anchorage Daily News published an investigation revealing that Alaska’s Attorney General Kevin Clarkson sent hundreds of inappropriate text messages to a younger state employee. Clarkson had been on unpaid administrative leave at the time of our publication, but without acknowledging why he was gone. Just hours after our story was published, he resigned. When you shine a light on wrongdoing, real change can occur.

Here’s how we do it: We get most of our funding from individuals — readers just like you who know the value good journalism plays in our society. So far this year, tens of thousands of folks have made a donation to help ensure that we have the resources and financial stability we need to do our work. We’ve got dozens of investigations brewing on critical issues like climate change, the right to vote, police brutality and so much more. But we need your help to keep going.

Join ProPublica today by making a donation in any amount. Your support helps us pay for the journalism that shines a light on injustice and betrayals of the public trust — and we need strong, nonpartisan, accountability journalism more now than ever before.

Thanks so much,
Jill Shepherd
Proud ProPublican