Hi Reader,

It’s well established that journalism is in financial trouble. Newsrooms across the country are downsizing, even closing, leaving “news deserts” in their wake. The economic crisis brought on by the pandemic served to hasten even more closures over the last year. Deep-dive, investigative reporting is especially time-consuming and expensive, so it’s often among the first to be cut as remaining newsrooms struggle to stay afloat. But it is one of the most powerful tools we have to ensure a transparent democracy, and that’s why ProPublica exists.

As a nonprofit newsroom, we don’t depend on advertising or short-term investors. We depend largely on donations from individuals, and over the last few years, we’ve grown significantly. We’re able to help fill undeniable gaps in deep-dive journalism left open all over the country.

From traffic tickets disproportionately harming low-income, Black residents in Chicago, to the growing share of fatalities from airplane crashes in Alaska, to Texas’ failure to protect their residents from carbon monoxide poisoning in homes, and so much more — we’re digging deep into issues affecting readers where they live and beyond.

As a reader of ProPublica, you know how important it is for journalists to have the freedom and resources to pursue stories that shine a light on corruption, miscarriages of justice and other wrongdoing. We’re so grateful to our supporters for giving us the ability to make a difference where it’s most needed. I’m asking you to join us today with your donation of any amount and help power one of the largest teams of investigative journalists around, digging into the problems that face so many from across this vast country.

Thanks so much,
Jill Shepherd
Proud ProPublican