PRO PUBLICA INC: Form 990, tax year 2018
View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗
- Organization
- PRO PUBLICA INC (EIN 14-2007220)
- Tax period
- 2018-01-01 to 2018-12-31
- Filed
- 2019-08-08
- IRS object ID
- 201912209349300626
- Schema version
- 2018v3.1
- Source
- Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica
Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.
Return header ReturnHeader
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Return | 2019-08-08T10:29:12-05:00 | ReturnTs |
| Tax Period End | 2018-12-31 | TaxPeriodEndDt |
Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Preparer Firm EIN | 271728945 | PreparerFirmEIN |
Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Line1 | PKF O'CONNOR DAVIES LLP | BusinessNameLine1Txt |
Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | 665 FIFTH AVENUE | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | NEW YORK | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | NY | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 10022 | ZIPCd |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Return Type | 990 | ReturnTypeCd |
| Tax Period Begin | 2018-01-01 | TaxPeriodBeginDt |
Filer Filer
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| EIN | 142007220 | EIN |
Business Name BusinessName
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Line1 | PRO PUBLICA INC | BusinessNameLine1Txt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Control | PROP | BusinessNameControlTxt |
| Phone | 2125145250 | PhoneNum |
US Address USAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | 155 AVE OF THE AMERICAS NO 13 FL | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | NEW YORK | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | NY | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 10013 | ZIPCd |
Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Person | RICHARD J TOFEL | PersonNm |
| Person Title | PRESIDENT | PersonTitleTxt |
| Phone | 2125145250 | PhoneNum |
| Signature | 2019-08-08 | SignatureDt |
| Discuss With Paid Preparer | Yes (1) | DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd |
Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Preparer Person | GARRETT M HIGGINS | PreparerPersonNm |
| PTIN | P00543209 | PTIN |
| Phone | 2122862600 | PhoneNum |
| Preparation | 2019-08-07 | PreparationDt |
Filing Security Information FilingSecurityInformation
IP Address IPAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| I Pv4 Address | 4.15.211.182 | IPv4AddressTxt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| IP | 2019-08-08 | IPDt |
| IP Tm | 08:05:45 | IPTm |
| IP Timezone | ED | IPTimezoneCd |
| Filing License Type | P | FilingLicenseTypeCd |
| At Submission Creation Device Id | DA39A3EE5E6B4B0D3255BFEF95601890AFD80709 | AtSubmissionCreationDeviceId |
| At Submission Filing Device Id | C5C0E2060BEB3F24671B5CC0358F632D6B4109AD | AtSubmissionFilingDeviceId |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Tax | 2018 | TaxYr |
| Build TS | 2019-02-21 02:37:17Z | BuildTS |
Form 990 IRS990
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Principal Officer | RICHARD J TOFEL | PrincipalOfficerNm |
US Address USAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | 155 AVE OF THE AMERICAS NO 13 FL | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | NEW YORK | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | NY | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 10013 | ZIPCd |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Receipts | $27,237,842 | GrossReceiptsAmt |
| Group Return For Affiliates | 0 | GroupReturnForAffiliatesInd |
| Organization501c3 | Yes (X) | Organization501c3Ind |
| Website Address | WWW.PROPUBLICA.ORG | WebsiteAddressTxt |
| Type Of Organization Corp | Yes (X) | TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd |
| Formation | 2007 | FormationYr |
| Legal Domicile State | DE | LegalDomicileStateCd |
| Activity Or Mission | TO EXPOSE ABUSES OF POWER AND BETRAYALS OF THE PUBLIC TRUST - SEE "SCHEDULE O" FOR CONTINUATIONBY GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS, USING THE MORAL FORCE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM TO SPUR REFORM THROUGH THE SUSTAINED SPOTLIGHTING OF WRONGDOING. | ActivityOrMissionDesc |
| Voting Members Governing Body | 14 | VotingMembersGoverningBodyCnt |
| Voting Members Independent | 13 | VotingMembersIndependentCnt |
| Total Employee | 140 | TotalEmployeeCnt |
| Total Volunteers | 13 | TotalVolunteersCnt |
| Total Gross UBI | $63,283 | TotalGrossUBIAmt |
| Net Unrelated Bus Txbl Incm | $131,740 | NetUnrelatedBusTxblIncmAmt |
| PY Contributions Grants | $43,063,123 | PYContributionsGrantsAmt |
| CY Contributions Grants | $25,576,127 | CYContributionsGrantsAmt |
| PY Program Service Revenue | $110,000 | PYProgramServiceRevenueAmt |
| CY Program Service Revenue | $302,000 | CYProgramServiceRevenueAmt |
| PY Investment Income | $51,451 | PYInvestmentIncomeAmt |
| CY Investment Income | $288,145 | CYInvestmentIncomeAmt |
| PY Other Revenue | $349,464 | PYOtherRevenueAmt |
| CY Other Revenue | $519,661 | CYOtherRevenueAmt |
| PY Total Revenue | $43,574,038 | PYTotalRevenueAmt |
| CY Total Revenue | $26,685,933 | CYTotalRevenueAmt |
| PY Grants And Similar Paid | $52,825 | PYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt |
| CY Grants And Similar Paid | $455,470 | CYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt |
| PY Benefits Paid To Members | $0 | PYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt |
| CY Benefits Paid To Members | $0 | CYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt |
| PY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid | $13,387,814 | PYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt |
| CY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid | $17,360,510 | CYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt |
| PY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns | $0 | PYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt |
| CY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns | $6,225 | CYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt |
| CY Total Fundraising Expense | $1,245,370 | CYTotalFundraisingExpenseAmt |
| PY Other Expenses | $4,850,162 | PYOtherExpensesAmt |
| CY Other Expenses | $6,282,256 | CYOtherExpensesAmt |
| PY Total Expenses | $18,290,801 | PYTotalExpensesAmt |
| CY Total Expenses | $24,104,461 | CYTotalExpensesAmt |
| PY Revenues Less Expenses | $25,283,237 | PYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt |
| CY Revenues Less Expenses | $2,581,472 | CYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt |
| Total Assets BOY | $38,070,942 | TotalAssetsBOYAmt |
| Total Assets EOY | $40,988,939 | TotalAssetsEOYAmt |
| Total Liabilities BOY | $746,162 | TotalLiabilitiesBOYAmt |
| Total Liabilities EOY | $1,094,094 | TotalLiabilitiesEOYAmt |
| Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY | $37,324,780 | NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt |
| Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY | $39,894,845 | NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt |
| Info In Schedule O Part III | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd |
| Mission | PRO PUBLICA IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT, PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING NEWSROOM THAT PRODUCES INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. OUR WORK FOCUSES EXCLUSIVELY ON TRULY IMPORTANT STORIES. SEE "SCHEDULE O" FOR CONTINUATION.WE PRODUCE JOURNALISM THAT SHINES A LIGHT ON EXPLOITATION OF THE WEAK BY THE STRONG AND ON THE FAILURES OF THOSE WITH POWER TO VINDICATE THE TRUST PLACED IN THEM. IN THE BEST TRADITIONS OF AMERICAN JOURNALISM IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, WE AIM TO STIMULATE POSITIVE CHANGE, UNCOVERING UNSAVORY PRACTICES AND ABUSES OF POWER IN ORDER TO PROD REFORM. WE DO THIS IN AN ENTIRELY NON-PARTISAN AND NON-IDEOLOGICAL MANNER, ADHERING TO THE STRICTEST STANDARDS OF JOURNALISTIC IMPARTIALITY.OUR STATED MISSION IS "TO EXPOSE ABUSES OF POWER AND BETRAYALS OF THE PUBLIC TRUST BY GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS, USING THE MORAL FORCE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM TO SPUR REFORM THROUGH THE SUSTAINED SPOTLIGHTING OF WRONGDOING." | MissionDesc |
| Significant New Program Srvc | 0 | SignificantNewProgramSrvcInd |
| Significant Change | 0 | SignificantChangeInd |
| Expense | $20,234,825 | ExpenseAmt |
| Grant | $455,470 | GrantAmt |
| Revenue | $366,425 | RevenueAmt |
| Desc | INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST - SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DETAILS | Desc |
| Total Program Service Expenses | $20,234,825 | TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt |
| Described In Section501c3 | Yes (1) | DescribedInSection501c3Ind |
| Schedule B Required | Yes (1) | ScheduleBRequiredInd |
| Political Campaign Acty | 0 | PoliticalCampaignActyInd |
| Lobbying Activities | 0 | LobbyingActivitiesInd |
| Subject To Proxy Tax | 0 | SubjectToProxyTaxInd |
| Donor Advised Fund | 0 | DonorAdvisedFundInd |
| Conservation Easements | 0 | ConservationEasementsInd |
| Collections Of Art | 0 | CollectionsOfArtInd |
| Credit Counseling | 0 | CreditCounselingInd |
| Temp Or Permanent Endowments | 0 | TempOrPermanentEndowmentsInd |
| Report Land Building Equipment | Yes (1) | ReportLandBuildingEquipmentInd |
| Report Investments Other Sec | 0 | ReportInvestmentsOtherSecInd |
| Report Program Related Invst | 0 | ReportProgramRelatedInvstInd |
| Report Other Assets | 0 | ReportOtherAssetsInd |
| Report Other Liabilities | 0 | ReportOtherLiabilitiesInd |
| Include FIN48 Footnote | Yes (1) | IncludeFIN48FootnoteInd |
| Independent Audit Fincl Stmt | Yes (1) | IndependentAuditFinclStmtInd |
| Consolidated Audit Fincl Stmt | 0 | ConsolidatedAuditFinclStmtInd |
| School Operating | 0 | SchoolOperatingInd |
| Foreign Office | 0 | ForeignOfficeInd |
| Foreign Activities | 0 | ForeignActivitiesInd |
| More Than5000 K To Org | 0 | MoreThan5000KToOrgInd |
| More Than5000 K To Individuals | 0 | MoreThan5000KToIndividualsInd |
| Professional Fundraising | 0 | ProfessionalFundraisingInd |
| Fundraising Activities | 0 | FundraisingActivitiesInd |
| Gaming Activities | 0 | GamingActivitiesInd |
| Operate Hospital | 0 | OperateHospitalInd |
| Grants To Organizations | Yes (1) | GrantsToOrganizationsInd |
| Grants To Individuals | Yes (1) | GrantsToIndividualsInd |
| Schedule J Required | Yes (1) | ScheduleJRequiredInd |
| Tax Exempt Bonds | 0 | TaxExemptBondsInd |
| Engaged In Excess Benefit Trans | 0 | EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd |
| PY Excess Benefit Trans | 0 | PYExcessBenefitTransInd |
| Loan Outstanding | 0 | LoanOutstandingInd |
| Grant To Related Person | 0 | GrantToRelatedPersonInd |
| Business Rln With Org Mem | 0 | BusinessRlnWithOrgMemInd |
| Business Rln With Fam Mem | 0 | BusinessRlnWithFamMemInd |
| Business Rln With Officer Ent | 0 | BusinessRlnWithOfficerEntInd |
| Deductible Non Cash Contri | Yes (1) | DeductibleNonCashContriInd |
| Deductible Art Contribution | 0 | DeductibleArtContributionInd |
| Terminate Operations | 0 | TerminateOperationsInd |
| Partial Liquidation | 0 | PartialLiquidationInd |
| Disregarded Entity | 0 | DisregardedEntityInd |
| Related Entity | 0 | RelatedEntityInd |
| Related Organization Ctrl Ent | 0 | RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd |
| Trnsfr Exmpt Non Chrtbl Rltd Org | 0 | TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd |
| Activities Conducted Prtshp | 0 | ActivitiesConductedPrtshpInd |
| Schedule O Required | Yes (1) | ScheduleORequiredInd |
| IRP Document | 187 | IRPDocumentCnt |
| IRP Document W2 G | 0 | IRPDocumentW2GCnt |
| Employee | 140 | EmployeeCnt |
| Employment Tax Returns Filed | Yes (1) | EmploymentTaxReturnsFiledInd |
| Unrelated Bus Incm Over Limit | Yes (1) | UnrelatedBusIncmOverLimitInd |
| Form990 T Filed | Yes (1) | Form990TFiledInd |
| Foreign Financial Account | 0 | ForeignFinancialAccountInd |
| Prohibited Tax Shelter Trans | 0 | ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd |
| Taxable Party Notification | 0 | TaxablePartyNotificationInd |
| Nondeductible Contributions | 0 | NondeductibleContributionsInd |
| Quid Pro Quo Contributions | 0 | QuidProQuoContributionsInd |
| Form8282 Property Disposed Of | 0 | Form8282PropertyDisposedOfInd |
| Rcv Fnds To Pay Prsnl Bnft Cntrct | 0 | RcvFndsToPayPrsnlBnftCntrctInd |
| Pay Premiums Prsnl Bnft Cntrct | 0 | PayPremiumsPrsnlBnftCntrctInd |
| Indoor Tanning Services | 0 | IndoorTanningServicesInd |
| Subj To Tax Rmnrtn Ex Prcht Pymt | 0 | SubjToTaxRmnrtnExPrchtPymtInd |
| Subject To Excs Tax Net Invst Inc | 0 | SubjectToExcsTaxNetInvstIncInd |
| Info In Schedule O Part VI | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartVIInd |
| Governing Body Voting Members | 14 | GoverningBodyVotingMembersCnt |
| Independent Voting Member | 13 | IndependentVotingMemberCnt |
| Family Or Business Rln | 0 | FamilyOrBusinessRlnInd |
| Delegation Of Mgmt Duties | 0 | DelegationOfMgmtDutiesInd |
| Change To Org Documents | 0 | ChangeToOrgDocumentsInd |
| Material Diversion Or Misuse | 0 | MaterialDiversionOrMisuseInd |
| Members Or Stockholders | 0 | MembersOrStockholdersInd |
| Election Of Board Members | 0 | ElectionOfBoardMembersInd |
| Decisions Subject To Approva | 0 | DecisionsSubjectToApprovaInd |
| Minutes Of Governing Body | Yes (1) | MinutesOfGoverningBodyInd |
| Minutes Of Committees | Yes (1) | MinutesOfCommitteesInd |
| Officer Mailing Address | 0 | OfficerMailingAddressInd |
| Local Chapters | 0 | LocalChaptersInd |
| Form990 Provided To Gvrn Body | Yes (1) | Form990ProvidedToGvrnBodyInd |
| Conflict Of Interest Policy | Yes (1) | ConflictOfInterestPolicyInd |
| Annual Disclosure Covered Prsn | Yes (1) | AnnualDisclosureCoveredPrsnInd |
| Regular Monitoring Enfrc | Yes (1) | RegularMonitoringEnfrcInd |
| Whistleblower Policy | Yes (1) | WhistleblowerPolicyInd |
| Document Retention Policy | Yes (1) | DocumentRetentionPolicyInd |
| Compensation Process CEO | Yes (1) | CompensationProcessCEOInd |
| Compensation Process Other | Yes (1) | CompensationProcessOtherInd |
| Investment In Joint Venture | 0 | InvestmentInJointVentureInd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | DC | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | AL | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | AK | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | AZ | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | AR | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | CA | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | CT | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | FL | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | GA | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | HI | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | IL | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | KS | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | KY | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | LA | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | ME | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | MD | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | MA | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | MI | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | MN | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | MS | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | MS | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | NH | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | NJ | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | NM | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | NY | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | NC | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | ND | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | OH | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | OK | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | OR | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | PA | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | RI | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | SC | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | TN | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | UT | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | VA | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | WA | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | WV | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| States Where Copy Of Return Is Fld | WI | StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd |
| Own Website | Yes (X) | OwnWebsiteInd |
| Other Website | Yes (X) | OtherWebsiteInd |
| Upon Request | Yes (X) | UponRequestInd |
Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail
Business Name BusinessName
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Line1 | STEPHANIE N LITTLE VP FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION | BusinessNameLine1Txt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 2125145250 | PhoneNum |
US Address USAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | 155 AVE OF THE AMERICAS NO 13 FL | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | NEW YORK | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | NY | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 10013 | ZIPCd |
Form990 Part VII Section A Form990PartVIISectionAGrp (22 entries)
| TitleTitleTxt | Average Hours Per WeekAverageHoursPerWeekRt | Individual Trustee Or DirectorIndividualTrusteeOrDirectorInd | OfficerOfficerInd | Reportable Comp From OrgReportableCompFromOrgAmt | Reportable Comp From Rltd OrgReportableCompFromRltdOrgAmt | Other CompensationOtherCompensationAmt | Key EmployeeKeyEmployeeInd | Highest Compensated EmployeeHighestCompensatedEmployeeInd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL SAGAN | ||||||||
| CHAIRMAN | 2.00 | Yes (X) | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
| HERBERT M SANDLER | ||||||||
| FOUNDING CHAIRMAN | 3.00 | Yes (X) | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
| PAUL E STEIGER | ||||||||
| EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN | 30.00 | Yes (X) | Yes (X) | $47,174 | $0 | $6,283 | ||
| DANIELLE ALLEN | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| MARK COLODNY | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| ANGELA FILO | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| HENRY LOUIS GATES JR | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| CLAIRE HOFFMAN | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| KATIE MCGRATH | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| ROBERT CS MONKS | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| RONALD OLSON | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| JAMES STONE | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| S DONALD SUSSMAN | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| KAT TAYLOR | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR | 1.00 | Yes (X) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
| RICHARD TOFEL PRESIDENT | ||||||||
| CO-CEO, SECRETARY-TREASURER | 40.00 | Yes (X) | $406,196 | $0 | $30,417 | |||
| STEPHEN ENGELBERG | ||||||||
| EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CO-CEO | 40.00 | Yes (X) | $394,960 | $0 | $57,324 | |||
| RAGAN RHYNE VICE PRESIDENT OF | ||||||||
| DEVELOPMENT, ASS. SECRETARY | 40.00 | $249,004 | $0 | $14,014 | Yes (X) | |||
| ROBIN FIELDS | ||||||||
| MANAGING EDITOR | 40.00 | $275,130 | $0 | $16,553 | Yes (X) | |||
| JESSE EISINGER | ||||||||
| SENIOR REPORTER | 40.00 | $230,504 | $0 | $52,891 | Yes (X) | |||
| CHARLES ORNSTEIN | ||||||||
| SENIOR EDITOR | 40.00 | $221,417 | $0 | $54,835 | Yes (X) | |||
| TRACY WEBER | ||||||||
| SENIOR EDITOR | 40.00 | $218,656 | $0 | $38,933 | Yes (X) | |||
| JOSEPH SEXTON | ||||||||
| SENIOR EDITOR | 40.00 | $218,651 | $0 | $35,982 | Yes (X) | |||
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Reportable Comp From Org | $2,261,692 | TotalReportableCompFromOrgAmt |
| Tot Reportable Comp Rltd Org | $0 | TotReportableCompRltdOrgAmt |
| Total Other Compensation | $307,232 | TotalOtherCompensationAmt |
| Indiv Rcvd Greater Than100 K | 60 | IndivRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt |
| Former Ofcr Employees Listed | 0 | FormerOfcrEmployeesListedInd |
| Total Comp Greater Than150 K | Yes (1) | TotalCompGreaterThan150KInd |
| Compensation From Other Srcs | 0 | CompensationFromOtherSrcsInd |
Contractor Compensation ContractorCompensationGrp (3 entries)
| Address Line1ContractorAddress/USAddress/AddressLine1Txt | CityContractorAddress/USAddress/CityNm | State AbbreviationContractorAddress/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCd | ZIPContractorAddress/USAddress/ZIPCd | ServicesServicesDesc | CompensationCompensationAmt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAYNES AND BOONE LLP | |||||
| 600 CONGRESS AVE SUITE 1300 | AUSTIN | TX | 787013285 | LEGAL SERVICES | $207,081 |
| FAIRDINKUM CONSULTING LLC | |||||
| 15 E 32ND ST 9TH FLOOR | NEW YORK | NY | 10016 | IT CONSULTANT SERVICES | $143,934 |
| AMAZON WEB SERVICES | |||||
| PO BOX 84023 | SEATTLE | WA | 981248423 | WEBSITE HOSTING SERVICES | $108,942 |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Cntrct Rcvd Greater Than100 K | 3 | CntrctRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt |
| All Other Contributions | $25,576,127 | AllOtherContributionsAmt |
| Noncash Contributions | $565,448 | NoncashContributionsAmt |
| Total Contributions | $25,576,127 | TotalContributionsAmt |
Program Service Revenue ProgramServiceRevenueGrp (2 entries)
| DescDesc | BusinessBusinessCd | Total Revenue ColumnTotalRevenueColumnAmt | Related Or Exempt Func IncomeRelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROGRAM SERVICE FEES | 519130 | $262,000 | $262,000 |
| EDITORIAL FEES | 519100 | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Program Service Revenue | $302,000 | TotalProgramServiceRevenueAmt |
Investment Income InvestmentIncomeGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue Column | $288,025 | TotalRevenueColumnAmt |
| Exclusion | $288,025 | ExclusionAmt |
Royalties Revenue RoyaltiesRevenueGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue Column | $226,199 | TotalRevenueColumnAmt |
| Related Or Exempt Func Income | $64,425 | RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt |
| Exclusion | $161,774 | ExclusionAmt |
Gross Amount Sales Assets GrossAmountSalesAssetsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Securities | $552,029 | SecuritiesAmt |
Less Cost Oth Basis Sales Expnss LessCostOthBasisSalesExpnssGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Securities | $551,909 | SecuritiesAmt |
Gain Or Loss GainOrLossGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Securities | $120 | SecuritiesAmt |
Net Gain Or Loss Investments NetGainOrLossInvestmentsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue Column | $120 | TotalRevenueColumnAmt |
| Exclusion | $120 | ExclusionAmt |
Other Revenue Misc OtherRevenueMiscGrp (3 entries)
| DescDesc | BusinessBusinessCd | Total Revenue ColumnTotalRevenueColumnAmt | ExclusionExclusionAmt | Unrelated Business RevenueUnrelatedBusinessRevenueAmt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REIMBURSEMENT OF LEGAL FEES | 900099 | $152,833 | $152,833 | |
| HONORARIUMS REVENUE | 900099 | $77,346 | $77,346 | |
| ADVERTISING REVENUE | 541800 | $63,283 | $63,283 |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Other Revenue Total | $293,462 | OtherRevenueTotalAmt |
Total Revenue TotalRevenueGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue Column | $26,685,933 | TotalRevenueColumnAmt |
| Related Or Exempt Func Income | $366,425 | RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt |
| Unrelated Business Revenue | $63,283 | UnrelatedBusinessRevenueAmt |
| Exclusion | $680,098 | ExclusionAmt |
Grants To Domestic Orgs GrantsToDomesticOrgsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $389,552 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $389,552 | ProgramServicesAmt |
Grants To Domestic Individuals GrantsToDomesticIndividualsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $65,918 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $65,918 | ProgramServicesAmt |
Comp Current Ofcr Directors CompCurrentOfcrDirectorsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $1,205,372 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $505,741 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $436,613 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $263,018 | FundraisingAmt |
Other Salaries And Wages OtherSalariesAndWagesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $12,893,421 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $11,734,431 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $874,928 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $284,062 | FundraisingAmt |
Pension Plan Contributions PensionPlanContributionsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $508,298 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $454,314 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $47,148 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $6,836 | FundraisingAmt |
Other Employee Benefits OtherEmployeeBenefitsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $1,744,993 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $1,499,201 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $184,381 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $61,411 | FundraisingAmt |
Payroll Taxes PayrollTaxesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $1,008,426 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $391,838 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $425,541 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $191,047 | FundraisingAmt |
Fees For Services Legal FeesForServicesLegalGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $533,946 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $346,667 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $175,111 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $12,168 | FundraisingAmt |
Fees For Services Accounting FeesForServicesAccountingGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $35,250 | TotalAmt |
| Management And General | $35,250 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
Fees For Services Prof Fundraising FeesForServicesProfFundraising
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $6,225 | TotalAmt |
| Fundraising | $6,225 | FundraisingAmt |
Fees For Services Other FeesForServicesOtherGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $474,854 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $468,813 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Fundraising | $6,041 | FundraisingAmt |
Advertising AdvertisingGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $261,410 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $177,704 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $73,253 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $10,453 | FundraisingAmt |
Office Expenses OfficeExpensesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $493,067 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $237,729 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $27,081 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $228,257 | FundraisingAmt |
Information Technology InformationTechnologyGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $1,193,466 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $975,359 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $127,552 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $90,555 | FundraisingAmt |
Occupancy OccupancyGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $1,233,532 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $1,081,972 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $101,863 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $49,697 | FundraisingAmt |
Travel TravelGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $940,460 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $905,828 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $20,638 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $13,994 | FundraisingAmt |
Conferences Meetings ConferencesMeetingsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $93,235 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $83,322 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $5,810 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $4,103 | FundraisingAmt |
Depreciation Depletion DepreciationDepletionGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $265,553 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $238,998 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $26,555 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
Insurance InsuranceGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $128,596 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $107,424 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $17,555 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $3,617 | FundraisingAmt |
Other Expenses OtherExpensesGrp (4 entries)
| DescDesc | TotalTotalAmt | Management And GeneralManagementAndGeneralAmt | Program ServicesProgramServicesAmt | FundraisingFundraisingAmt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UBIT TAX EXPENSE | $28,300 | $28,300 | ||
| PUBLIC REC. COP. & SUBS | $387,649 | $387,649 | ||
| REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE | $90,523 | $8,479 | $77,947 | $4,097 |
| RECRUITMENT/PROF DEVEL. | $83,367 | $4,303 | $69,275 | $9,789 |
All Other Expenses AllOtherExpensesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $39,048 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $35,143 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $3,905 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
Total Functional Expenses TotalFunctionalExpensesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $24,104,461 | TotalAmt |
| Program Services | $20,234,825 | ProgramServicesAmt |
| Management And General | $2,624,266 | ManagementAndGeneralAmt |
| Fundraising | $1,245,370 | FundraisingAmt |
Cash Non Interest Bearing CashNonInterestBearingGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $3,172,453 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $5,317,242 | EOYAmt |
Savings And Temp Cash Invst SavingsAndTempCashInvstGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $15,224,452 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $21,331,856 | EOYAmt |
Pledges And Grants Receivable PledgesAndGrantsReceivableGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $18,687,901 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $13,042,094 | EOYAmt |
Accounts Receivable AccountsReceivableGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $3,661 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $8,912 | EOYAmt |
Prepaid Expenses Defrd Charges PrepaidExpensesDefrdChargesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $286,215 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $464,032 | EOYAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Land Bldg Equip Cost Or Other Bss | $1,379,132 | LandBldgEquipCostOrOtherBssAmt |
| Land Bldg Equip Accum Deprec | $639,869 | LandBldgEquipAccumDeprecAmt |
Land Bldg Equip Basis Net LandBldgEquipBasisNetGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $677,235 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $739,263 | EOYAmt |
Investments Pub Traded Sec InvestmentsPubTradedSecGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $14,765 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $28,305 | EOYAmt |
Other Assets Total OtherAssetsTotalGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $4,260 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $57,235 | EOYAmt |
Total Assets TotalAssetsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $38,070,942 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $40,988,939 | EOYAmt |
Accounts Payable Accr Expnss AccountsPayableAccrExpnssGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $372,471 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $659,311 | EOYAmt |
Deferred Revenue DeferredRevenueGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $373,691 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $434,783 | EOYAmt |
Total Liabilities TotalLiabilitiesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $746,162 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $1,094,094 | EOYAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Organization Follows SFAS117 | Yes (X) | OrganizationFollowsSFAS117Ind |
Unrestricted Net Assets UnrestrictedNetAssetsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $14,828,565 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $21,132,503 | EOYAmt |
Temporarily Rstr Net Assets TemporarilyRstrNetAssetsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $22,496,215 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $18,762,342 | EOYAmt |
Total Net Assets Fund Balance TotalNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $37,324,780 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $39,894,845 | EOYAmt |
Tot Liab Net Assets Fund Balance TotLiabNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $38,070,942 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $40,988,939 | EOYAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Info In Schedule O Part XI | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartXIInd |
| Reconcilation Revenue Expnss | $2,581,472 | ReconcilationRevenueExpnssAmt |
| Net Unrlzd Gains Losses Invst | -$261 | NetUnrlzdGainsLossesInvstAmt |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | -$11,146 | OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt |
| Info In Schedule O Part XII | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartXIIInd |
| Method Of Accounting Accrual | Yes (X) | MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd |
| Accountant Compile Or Review | 0 | AccountantCompileOrReviewInd |
| FS Audited | Yes (1) | FSAuditedInd |
FS Audited Basis FSAuditedBasisGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Separate Basis Fincl Stmt | Yes (X) | SeparateBasisFinclStmtInd |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Audit Committee | Yes (1) | AuditCommitteeInd |
| Federal Grant Audit Required | 0 | FederalGrantAuditRequiredInd |
Schedule A IRS990ScheduleA
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Organization170 | Yes (X) | PublicOrganization170Ind |
Gifts Grants Contri Rcvd170 GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $10,169,976 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $16,882,164 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $13,765,153 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $43,063,123 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $25,576,127 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $109,456,543 | TotalAmt |
Total Calendar Year170 TotalCalendarYear170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $10,169,976 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $16,882,164 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $13,765,153 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $43,063,123 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $25,576,127 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $109,456,543 | TotalAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Substantial Contributors Tot | $26,483,706 | SubstantialContributorsTotAmt |
| Public Support Total170 | $82,972,837 | PublicSupportTotal170Amt |
Gross Investment Income170 GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $47,898 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $23,875 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $105,365 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $91,606 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $449,799 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $718,543 | TotalAmt |
Unrelated Business Net Incm170 UnrelatedBusinessNetIncm170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $12,775 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $10,286 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $8,230 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $52,755 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $36,395 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $120,441 | TotalAmt |
Other Income170 OtherIncome170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $23,379 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $10,092 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $245,214 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $108,258 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $230,179 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $617,122 | TotalAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Support | $110,912,649 | TotalSupportAmt |
| Gross Receipts Rltd Activities | $1,188,605 | GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt |
| Public Support CY170 | 0.74810 | PublicSupportCY170Pct |
| Public Support PY170 | 0.68010 | PublicSupportPY170Pct |
| Thirty Thr Pct Suprt Tests CY170 | Yes (X) | ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind |
Form990 Schedule A Part VI Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Form And Line Reference | SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: | FormAndLineReferenceDesc |
| Explanation | HONORARIUMS REVENUE - 2014 AMOUNT: $ 23,379. 2015 AMOUNT: $ 10,092. 2016 AMOUNT: $ 26,750. 2017 AMOUNT: $ 90,734. 2018 AMOUNT: $ 77,346. REIMBURSEMENT OF LEGAL FEES - 2016 AMOUNT: $ 218,464. 2017 AMOUNT: $ 17,524. 2018 AMOUNT: $ 152,833. | ExplanationTxt |
Schedule B IRS990ScheduleB
Schedule D IRS990ScheduleD
Leasehold Improvements LeaseholdImprovementsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Other Cost Or Other Basis | $240,348 | OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt |
| Depreciation | $66,955 | DepreciationAmt |
| Book Value | $173,393 | BookValueAmt |
Equipment EquipmentGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Other Cost Or Other Basis | $718,814 | OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt |
| Depreciation | $404,902 | DepreciationAmt |
| Book Value | $313,912 | BookValueAmt |
Other Land Buildings OtherLandBuildingsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Other Cost Or Other Basis | $419,970 | OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt |
| Depreciation | $168,012 | DepreciationAmt |
| Book Value | $251,958 | BookValueAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Book Value Land Buildings | $739,263 | TotalBookValueLandBuildingsAmt |
| Footnote Text | Yes (X) | FootnoteTextInd |
| Total Rev Etc Audited Fincl Stmt | $26,521,693 | TotalRevEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt |
| Net Unrealized Gains Invst | -$261 | NetUnrealizedGainsInvstAmt |
| Revenue Not Reported | -$261 | RevenueNotReportedAmt |
| Revenue Subtotal | $26,521,954 | RevenueSubtotalAmt |
| Other Revenues Not Included | $163,979 | OtherRevenuesNotIncludedAmt |
| Revenue Not Reported Fincl Stmt | $163,979 | RevenueNotReportedFinclStmtAmt |
| Total Revenue Per Form990 | $26,685,933 | TotalRevenuePerForm990Amt |
| Tot Expns Etc Audited Fincl Stmt | $23,951,628 | TotExpnsEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt |
| Expenses Not Reported | $0 | ExpensesNotReportedAmt |
| Expenses Subtotal | $23,951,628 | ExpensesSubtotalAmt |
| Other Expenses Not Included | $152,833 | OtherExpensesNotIncludedAmt |
| Expenses Not Rpt Fincl Stmt | $152,833 | ExpensesNotRptFinclStmtAmt |
| Total Expenses Per Form990 | $24,104,461 | TotalExpensesPerForm990Amt |
Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (3 entries)
| Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDesc | ExplanationExplanationTxt |
|---|---|
| PART X, LINE 2: | THE ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZES THE EFFECT OF INCOME TAX POSITIONS ONLY IF THOSE POSITIONS ARE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT OF BEING SUSTAINED. MANAGEMENT HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAD NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT WOULD REQUIRE FINANCIAL STATEMENT RECOGNITION OR DISCLOSURE. THE ORGANIZATION IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO EXAMINATIONS BY THE APPLICABLE TAXING JURISDICTIONS FOR PERIODS PRIOR TO 2015. |
| PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: | REIMBURSEMENTS OF LEGAL DEFENSE EXPENSES REPORTED ON PART VIII 152,833. LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF ASSET 11,098. LOSS ON FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE 48. |
| PART XII, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: | REIMBURSEMENTS OF LEGAL DEFENSE EXPENSES REPORTED ON PART VIII 152,833. |
Schedule I IRS990ScheduleI
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Records Maintained | Yes (1) | GrantRecordsMaintainedInd |
Recipient Table RecipientTable (7 entries)
| Address Line1USAddress/AddressLine1Txt | CityUSAddress/CityNm | State AbbreviationUSAddress/StateAbbreviationCd | ZIPUSAddress/ZIPCd | Recipient EINRecipientEIN | Cash GrantCashGrantAmt | Purpose Of GrantPurposeOfGrantTxt | IRC SectionIRCSectionDesc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPITAL CITY PRESS LLC | |||||||
| 7290 BLUEBONNET BOULEVARD | BATON ROUGE | LA | 70810 | 720146160 | $73,200 | PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK INITIATIVE | |
| CHARLESTON NEWSPAPERS | |||||||
| 1001 VIRGINIA ST E | CHARLESTON | WV | 25301 | 550676079 | $53,218 | PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK INITIATIVE | |
| COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS INC (WMFE) | |||||||
| 11510 E COLONIAL DR | ORLANDO | FL | 32817 | 596155012 | $62,220 | PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK INITIATIVE | 501(C)(3) |
| MALHEUR MEDIA LLC | |||||||
| 142 CHEMAWA RD N | KEIZER | OR | 97303 | 475030251 | $46,652 | PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK INITIATIVE | |
| SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE | |||||||
| 225 W COLFAX AVE | SOUTH BEND | IN | 46601 | 351381571 | $53,734 | PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK INITIATIVE | |
| SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN | |||||||
| 710 N ILLINOIS AVE | CARBONDALE | IL | 62901 | 420823980 | $50,752 | PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK INITIATIVE | |
| THE NEW MEXICAN INC | |||||||
| 202 E MARCY ST | SANTA FE | NM | 87501 | 850095953 | $49,776 | PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK INITIATIVE | |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total501c3 Org | 1 | Total501c3OrgCnt |
| Total Other Org | 6 | TotalOtherOrgCnt |
Grants Other Asst To Indiv In US GrantsOtherAsstToIndivInUSGrp (3 entries)
| Grant TypeGrantTypeTxt | RecipientRecipientCnt | Cash GrantCashGrantAmt |
|---|---|---|
| EMERGING REPORTER STIPEND | 10 | $45,000 |
| DIVERSITY STIPEND | 21 | $14,700 |
| LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK GRANT | 1 | $6,218 |
Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Form And Line Reference | PART I, LINE 2: | FormAndLineReferenceDesc |
| Explanation | A) STIPEND NARRATIVE FOR INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE: STIPEND PAYMENTS REPRESENT A FORM OF GRANT ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO PARTICIPANTS IN VARIOUS PROPUBLICA OUTREACH PROGRAMS. PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAMS ARE SELECTED VIA COMPETITIVE APPLICATION PROCESS IN WHICH THE APPLICANTS ARE CHOSEN BASED ON THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND CAREER PROSPECTS IN THE FIELD OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM. FUNDING IS OFTEN PROVIDED AS A PART OF A GRANT RECEIVED BY PROPUBLICA. IN SUCH INSTANCES, THE GRANT REQUIREMENTS DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING AVAILABLE AND MAY INFORM THE STIPEND PAYMENT PROCESS. IF THE FUNDING IS PROVIDED THROUGH PROPUBLICA'S GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET, FUNDING AVAILABILITY IS DETERMINED BASED ON OVERALL BUDGETARY CONCERNS. BASED ON THESE PARAMETERS, PROGRAM DIRECTORS DETERMINE WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS APPLY: - ALL PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE EQUAL STIPEND AMOUNTS. - ALL PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE SOME STIPEND, WITH THE AWARD AMOUNT VARYING BASED ON DETERMINATION OF NEED. - SOME PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE STIPENDS, WITH THE AWARD AMOUNT VARYING BASED ON DETERMINATION OF NEED. IN THIS INSTANCE, APPLICANTS MUST APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE AS A SEPARATE PROCEDURE FROM THE GENERAL APPLICATION PROCESS AND ARE NOTIFIED THE AMOUNT OF THE TOTAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE BASED ON GRANT FUNDS AVAILABLE. APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING: - EXPLICITLY ANSWER THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. - PROVIDE THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE THAT THEY ARE REQUESTING BASED ON PRE-DETERMINED FUND AVAILABILITY. - EXPLAIN HOW THE FUNDING WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO ATTEND THE PROGRAM WHEN THEY OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO. IF THE CASE IS COMPELLING, THE REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE IS GRANTED UP TO THE LIMITS OF THE FUNDS AVAILABLE. IF THE EXPLANATION OF NEED INCLUDES THE COST OF EXPENSES THAT ARE ALREADY COVERED FOR ALL ATTENDEES, THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT MAY BE REDUCED ACCORDINGLY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE DATA INSTITUTE PROGRAM COVERS THE COST OF LODGING AND TRAVEL FOR ALL ATTENDEES. IF LODGING/TRAVEL ARE INCLUDED IN THE EXPLANATION OF NEED, THE AMOUNT AWARDED MAY BE REDUCED. WHEN FUNDING IS PROVIDED VIA PASS-THROUGH GRANTS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, MONITORING OF FUND USAGE AND FOLLOW-UP ARE BASED UPON ONGOING VERBAL DIALOGUE, GRANT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, AND WRITTEN GRANT REPORTS PROVIDED TO GRANTING ORGANIZATIONS AT THE END OF THE GRANT PERIOD. WHEN FUNDING IS PROVIDED THROUGH GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET DESIGNATION, PROPUBLICA MAINTAINS RECORDS OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING AND BENEFITTING FROM GRANT FUNDS, INCLUDING COMPLETED W-9 FORMS. AS THESE GRANTS ARE NEED-BASED, SUCH FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE. B) NARRATIVE FOR ORGANIZATIONS & INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE THROUGH LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK: THE OTHER TYPE OF FUNDING PROPUBLICA PROVIDES IS THROUGH REGRANTING FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATING IN THE LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK INITIATIVE. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, PROPUBLICA PARTNERS WITH LOCAL NEWSROOMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A REPORTER TO WORK ON AN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM PROJECT FOR ONE YEAR. MOST OFTEN, THE GRANTEE IS THE NEWSROOM ORGANIZATION ITSELF; HOWEVER, OCCASIONALLY, FUNDING MAY BE PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO A REPORTER WITH AN AFFILIATION TO THE SELECTED NEWSROOM. NEWSROOMS ARE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN LRN VIA A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND IN ADDITION TO FUNDING, LRN PARTNERS RECEIVE ACCESS TO PROPUBLICA RESOURCES INCLUDING EDITORS, TRAINING SESSIONS, AND CO-PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES. LRN GRANT AMOUNTS ARE DETERMINED BASED ON EACH REPORTER'S ANNUAL SALARY AND A STANDARD BENEFITS PERCENT ALLOCATION, WHICH WAS 22% FOR 2018, AND AMOUNTS ARE AGREED TO IN WRITING BY BOTH THE PARTICIPATING NEWSROOM AND PROPUBLICA. FUND USAGE FOR LRN IS MONITORED BY THE PROPUBLICA EDITORS WHO OVERSEE THE PROGRAM AND WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE REPORTERS. ULTIMATELY, THE REPORTERS ARE EXPECTED TO PUBLISH A FULL-LENGTH INVESTIGATIVE PIECE IN COORDINATION WITH PROPUBLICA. ALSO, PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS MUST PROVIDE A WRITTEN ACCOUNTING FOR FUNDS USAGE AT THE END OF THE GRANT PERIOD, WHICH MOST OFTEN INCLUDES A COPY OF THE FUNDED REPORTER'S W2 FOR THE FUNDED GRANT YEAR. | ExplanationTxt |
Schedule J IRS990ScheduleJ
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation Committee | Yes (X) | CompensationCommitteeInd |
| Independent Consultant | Yes (X) | IndependentConsultantInd |
| Form990 Of Other Organizations | Yes (X) | Form990OfOtherOrganizationsInd |
| Compensation Survey | Yes (X) | CompensationSurveyInd |
| Board Or Committee Approval | Yes (X) | BoardOrCommitteeApprovalInd |
| Severance Payment | 0 | SeverancePaymentInd |
| Supplemental Nonqual Rtr Plan | 0 | SupplementalNonqualRtrPlanInd |
| Equity Based Comp Arrngm | 0 | EquityBasedCompArrngmInd |
| Comp Based On Revenue Of Flng Org | 0 | CompBasedOnRevenueOfFlngOrgInd |
| Comp Bsd On Rev Related Orgs | 0 | CompBsdOnRevRelatedOrgsInd |
| Comp Bsd Net Earns Flng Org | 0 | CompBsdNetEarnsFlngOrgInd |
| Comp Bsd Net Earns Rltd Orgs | 0 | CompBsdNetEarnsRltdOrgsInd |
| Any Non Fixed Payments | 0 | AnyNonFixedPaymentsInd |
| Initial Contract Exception | 0 | InitialContractExceptionInd |
Rltd Org Officer Trst Key Empl RltdOrgOfficerTrstKeyEmplGrp (8 entries)
| TitleTitleTxt | Base Compensation Filing OrgBaseCompensationFilingOrgAmt | Compensation Based On Rltd OrgsCompensationBasedOnRltdOrgsAmt | Bonus Filing OrganizationBonusFilingOrganizationAmount | Bonus Related OrganizationsBonusRelatedOrganizationsAmt | Other Compensation Filing OrgOtherCompensationFilingOrgAmt | Other Compensation Rltd OrgsOtherCompensationRltdOrgsAmt | Deferred Compensation Flng OrgDeferredCompensationFlngOrgAmt | Deferred Comp Rltd OrgsDeferredCompRltdOrgsAmt | Nontaxable Benefits Filing OrgNontaxableBenefitsFilingOrgAmt | Nontaxable Benefits Rltd OrgsNontaxableBenefitsRltdOrgsAmt | Total Compensation Filing OrgTotalCompensationFilingOrgAmt | Total Compensation Rltd OrgsTotalCompensationRltdOrgsAmt | Comp Report Prior990 Filing OrgCompReportPrior990FilingOrgAmt | Comp Report Prior990 Rltd OrgsCompReportPrior990RltdOrgsAmt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD TOFEL PRESIDENT | ||||||||||||||
| CO-CEO, SECRETARY-TREASURER | $403,464 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,732 | $0 | $13,750 | $0 | $16,667 | $0 | $436,613 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN ENGELBERG | ||||||||||||||
| EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CO-CEO | $392,228 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,732 | $0 | $13,750 | $0 | $43,574 | $0 | $452,284 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| RAGAN RHYNE VICE PRESIDENT OF | ||||||||||||||
| DEVELOPMENT, ASS. SECRETARY | $248,548 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $456 | $0 | $12,500 | $0 | $1,514 | $0 | $263,018 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBIN FIELDS | ||||||||||||||
| MANAGING EDITOR | $274,178 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $952 | $0 | $6,875 | $0 | $9,678 | $0 | $291,683 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSE EISINGER | ||||||||||||||
| SENIOR REPORTER | $229,883 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $621 | $0 | $11,967 | $0 | $40,924 | $0 | $283,395 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES ORNSTEIN | ||||||||||||||
| SENIOR EDITOR | $221,003 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $414 | $0 | $11,250 | $0 | $43,585 | $0 | $276,252 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACY WEBER | ||||||||||||||
| SENIOR EDITOR | $216,876 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,780 | $0 | $11,287 | $0 | $27,646 | $0 | $257,589 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH SEXTON | ||||||||||||||
| SENIOR EDITOR | $216,871 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,780 | $0 | $10,950 | $0 | $25,032 | $0 | $254,633 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Schedule M IRS990ScheduleM
Securities Publicly Traded SecuritiesPubliclyTradedGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Non Cash Checkbox | Yes (X) | NonCashCheckboxInd |
| Contribution | 35 | ContributionCnt |
| Noncash Contributions Rpt F990 | $565,448 | NoncashContributionsRptF990Amt |
| Method Of Determining Revenues | AVG. SELLING PRICE | MethodOfDeterminingRevenuesTxt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Form8283 Received | 0 | Form8283ReceivedCnt |
| Any Property That Must Be Held | 0 | AnyPropertyThatMustBeHeldInd |
| Review Process Unusual NC Gifts | 0 | ReviewProcessUnusualNCGiftsInd |
| Third Parties Used | 0 | ThirdPartiesUsedInd |
Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Form And Line Reference | PART I, COLUMN (B): | FormAndLineReferenceDesc |
| Explanation | THE ORGANIZATION IS REPORTING THE NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTORS IN PART 1, COLUMN (B) OF SCHEDULE M. | ExplanationTxt |
Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO
Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (12 entries)
| Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDesc | ExplanationExplanationTxt |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A | A DECADE AGO, WE LAUNCHED PROPUBLICA'S WEBSITE WITH A BRIEF NOTE, "WELCOME TO THE STARTING LINE." IN THAT JUNE 10, 2008 POST, SIGNED BY FOUNDING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PAUL STEIGER AND THEN-MANAGING EDITOR STEPHEN ENGELBERG, WE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT PROPUBLICA WAS SOMETHING OF AN EXPERIMENT. WE WERE 20 PEOPLE, BACKED BY A $10 MILLION ANNUAL BUDGET AND A THREE-YEAR COMMITMENT FROM THE SANDLER FOUNDATION, WITH SOME NEW IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO PUBLISH INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM. OUR MODEL FOR DISTRIBUTING STORIES - CO-PUBLISHING WITH MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS LIKE 60 MINUTES, THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES AND POLITICO - WAS UNTESTED. THERE WAS NO CLEAR SENSE OF WHERE THE MONEY WOULD COME FROM WHEN WE SOUGHT A BROADER GROUP OF BACKERS. DESPITE THESE UNKNOWNS, WE WERE UNWAVERING IN OUR COMMITMENT TO INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF A DEMOCRACY. EVEN IF WE DIDN'T KNOW QUITE HOW THIS EXPERIMENT WOULD UNFOLD, WE BELIEVED IN TAKING ON THE TOUGHEST SUBJECTS, SHINING A LIGHT ON POWERFUL INSTITUTIONS OF ALL SORTS, AND PRESENTING DEEPLY REPORTED STORIES WITH MORAL FORCE AND AN EYE TOWARD SPURRING CHANGE. TEN YEARS LATER, IT'S CLEAR THAT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE SHARE THESE VALUES. WE WERE THRILLED AND HUMBLED TO MAKE A LOT OF FRIENDS IN OUR FIRST DECADE. PROPUBLICA HAS HAD 184 PUBLISHING PARTNERS, INCLUDING 59 IN 2018 ALONE. OUR BUDGET HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN $26 MILLION FOR 2019, WHICH SUPPORTS ABOUT 120 EMPLOYEES WORKING AT OUR NATIONAL OPERATION, PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS AND REPORTING FOR OUR LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE NOW DONATE EVERY MONTH, PART OF A FLOW OF SMALLER DONATIONS THAT IN 2018 ADDED UP TO MORE THAN $4 MILLION. CHANGEMAKING PERHAPS THE ACHIEVEMENT WE'RE MOST PROUD OF IS THE IMPACT OF OUR WORK OVER THE YEARS. IN A CYNICAL AGE WHEN MANY BELIEVE THAT THE OUTCOMES ARE "RIGGED AND UNCHANGEABLE, WE HAVE REPEATEDLY SHOWN THAT POWERFUL, FACT-BASED JOURNALISM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CHANGE MINDS, LAWS AND THE LIVES OF ORDINARY PEOPLE. IN JUNE, AS THE PLIGHT OF FAMILIES SEPARATED AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER GAINED NATIONAL ATTENTION, PROPUBLICA RELEASED AUDIO OF MIGRANT CHILDREN INSIDE A U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION FACILITY. THE SOUNDS OF CHILDREN SOBBING AND BEGGING FOR THEIR PARENTS SERVED AS EVIDENCE OF THE TRAGEDY UNDERWAY. LAWMAKERS CITED PROPUBLICA'S AUDIO AS THEY CONDEMNED THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY, AND PROTESTERS BLARED THE RECORDING AT DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WITHIN 48 HOURS, PRESIDENT TRUMP REVERSED HIS POLICY OF SEPARATING CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS. A FEDERAL JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA ORDERED THAT PARENTS AND CHILDREN BE REUNITED WITHIN 30 DAYS. WITHIN A MONTH, THE CHILD HEARD IN THE RECORDING PLEADING TO CALL HER AUNT WAS REUNITED WITH HER MOTHER. LATER IN THE YEAR, WE REPORTED THAT BORDER AGENTS RESUMED THE REMOVAL OF SOME CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS BY CLAIMING THAT THEIR PARENTS WERE CRIMINALS AND THUS A DANGER TO THEIR CHILDREN. OUR STORY FOCUSED ON A CASE IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CLAIMED, WITHOUT EVIDENCE, THAT A SALVADORAN MAN WAS A GANG MEMBER AND SEPARATED HIM FROM HIS 4-YEAR-OLD SON. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INVESTIGATION PUBLISHED, AND 11 WEEKS AFTER THEY HAD BEEN SEPARATED, THE CHILD WAS RETURNED TO HIS FATHER. TO HELP SUPPORT ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY AT THE LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS, PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS HAD ITS FULL YEAR OF OPERATION IN 2018, AND WE KICKED OFF THE PROPUBLICA LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE WE SUPPORTED SEVEN INVESTIGATIVE PROJECTS AT LOCAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS (IN CITIES WITH POPULATIONS BELOW ONE MILLION), IN EACH CASE PAYING A REPORTER'S SALARY AND BENEFITS, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING PROPUBLICA'S EXPERTISE IN DATA, RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT. IN ONE OF THE INAUGURAL PROJECTS FROM PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS, PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, OUR WORK EXPOSED DEVASTATING INEQUITIES IN PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS DONE BY THE COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR. IN THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTION, FAIRNESS IN THE PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM WAS A MAJOR ISSUE - AND ASSESSOR JOSEPH BERRIOS, WHO ALSO SERVED AS THE COOK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN, LOST HIS BID FOR RE-ELECTION. AS PART OF OUR LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK, THE SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE IN INDIANA EXAMINED USE OF FORCE IN THE NEIGHBORING ELKHART POLICE DEPARTMENT, UNCOVERING STARTLING, PREVIOUSLY UNDISCLOSED ACTS OF MISCONDUCT. THE TRIBUNE AND PROPUBLICA ALSO FOUND THAT, WHILE THE POLICE CHIEF AND MOST OF THE DEPARTMENT'S SUPERVISORS HAD BEEN DISCIPLINED FOR CARELESSNESS AND INCOMPETENCE, THEY KEPT THEIR JOBS AND WERE OFTEN PROMOTED. IN THE AFTERMATH OF THIS REPORTING, THE POLICE CHIEF RESIGNED, AND ELKHART'S MAYOR ANNOUNCED AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT - BEFORE ABANDONING HIS OWN RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN. INTERNATIONALLY, OUR INVESTIGATION "UNPROTECTED," CO-PUBLISHED WITH TIME MAGAZINE, AND AN ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTARY CREATED BY PROPUBLICA FILMS LOOKED INTO AN ACCLAIMED CHARITY CALLED MORE THAN ME. FOUNDED BY AMERICAN KATIE MEYLER, THE LIBERIAN SCHOOL PROMISED TO RESCUE SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST VULNERABLE GIRLS FROM LIFE ON THE STREETS, BUT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, CHILDREN PLACED UNDER ITS CARE WERE BEING RAPED BY ONE OF THE NONPROFIT'S LEADERS. DAYS AFTER OUR INVESTIGATION, MEYLER TEMPORARILY STEPPED ASIDE AS CEO AND THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD CHAIRMAN RESIGNED. AMID PROTESTS IN LIBERIA, CALLING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO REVOKE MORE THAN ME'S ACCREDITATION AND PERMISSION TO RUN ITS SCHOOLS, SEVEN LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES VOWED TO TAKE ACTION AS PART OF A "FULL-SCALE INVESTIGATION" INTO THE CHARITY. THE STORIES IN DATA PROPUBLICA'S USE OF DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUAL STORYTELLING HAS EXPANDED SUBSTANTIALLY SINCE OUR FOUNDING. THE INITIAL STAFF OF PROPUBLICA INCLUDED JUST TWO PEOPLE WHO KNEW HOW TO WRITE COMPUTER CODE AND COULD CREATE, WHEN NEEDED, A GRAPHIC OR TWO. IN THE DECADE SINCE, WE'VE ADDED A TEAM OF DATA JOURNALISTS AND PIONEERED THE FIELD OF NEWS APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT, BROUGHT ON WEB DESIGNERS AND PRODUCERS, AND, MOST RECENTLY, EXPANDED INTO SOCIAL AND LONG-FORM VIDEO. FROM OUR IMMERSIVE INVESTIGATION SHOWING WHAT IT SOUNDS AND LOOKS LIKE WHEN A GAS DRILLER OVERRUNS YOUR PROPERTY, TO AN ANIMATED MAP TAKING READERS THROUGH A DANGEROUS ROUTE THROUGH NEW YORK'S PRIVATE COMMERCIAL GARBAGE COLLECTION, THIS YEAR'S WORK KEPT OUR NEWSROOM AT THE FRONTIERS OF CONTEMPORARY JOURNALISM. IN THE WEEKS AHEAD OF THE 2018 MIDTERM ELECTIONS, PROPUBLICA'S FACEBOOK POLITICAL AD COLLECTOR GAINED STEAM AND INSIGHTS. OUR DEVELOPERS HAD EARLIER DESIGNED THE SMALL PIECE OF SOFTWARE AS A SOLUTION TO THE HARD-TO-TRACK NATURE OF ONLINE POLITICAL ADS, WHICH APPEAR ON SOME PEOPLE'S SCREENS WHILE NEVER BEING SHOWN TO OTHERS. WHEN PARTICIPATING FACEBOOK USERS DOWNLOADED THE EXTENSION, WE AUTOMATICALLY IDENTIFIED THE POLITICAL ADS DISPLAYED ON THEIR NEWSFEEDS AND COLLECTED THEM IN A PUBLIC DATABASE. BY ELECTION DAY, WE HAD COLLECTED MORE THAN 100,000 POLITICAL ADS FROM NEARLY 20,000 FACEBOOK USERS, ALLOWING US TO REPORT ON ADS THAT WERE ACTUALLY SCAMS AND MALWARE, NEGATIVE ADS THAT IGNORED FEC RULES BY FAILING TO DISCLOSE WHO PAID FOR AND APPROVED THEM, AND MYSTERIOUS FACEBOOK PAGES PUSHING FRINGE CANDIDATES. PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS AND WBEZ PRODUCED A SERIES OF STORIES EXAMINING HOW CHICAGO'S RELIANCE ON VEHICLE TICKETING TO GENERATE REVENUE - IN ADDITION TO UNEQUAL ENFORCEMENT AND PUNITIVE COLLECTION MEASURES - HAS LED TO MASSIVE DEBT IN LOW-INCOME AND ESPECIALLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS. THE PROJECT TEAM COLLECTED MORE THAN 54 MILLION PARKING, STANDING AND VEHICLE COMPLIANCE TICKETS ISSUED SINCE 1996 AND MADE THE AGGREGATE DATA PUBLIC IN AN ACCOMPANYING DATABASE. USERS CAN EXPLORE THE TICKET TRAP TO SEE HOW TICKETING, DEBT AND THE RATES AT WHICH PEOPLE APPEAL THEIR TICKETS COMPARE ACROSS CHICAGO'S 50 WARDS. THE PROJECT LED TO THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL PASSING A PACKAGE OF REFORMS TO THE CITY'S TICKETING SYSTEM. AS PART OF A SERIES ON RACIAL DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION, PROPUBLICA LAUNCHED AN ENORMOUS FACT-FINDING MISSION, COLLECTING AND ANALYZING TROVES OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DATA. THIS UNDERTAKING CULMINATED IN MISEDUCATION, A GROUNDBREAKING DATABASE ALLOWING USERS TO LOOK UP MORE THAN 96,000 INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS AND 17,000 DISTRICTS TO SEE HOW THEY COMPARE ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND SCHOOL DISCIPLINE. THE WORK CONTINUES |
| IN JUST THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF OUR TENTH FULL YEAR, PROPUBLICA HAS PRODUCED | IMPORTANT, CHALLENGING AND INNOVATIVELY PRESENTED STORIES THAT HAVE OFTEN SPARKED REAL-WORLD CHANGE. THIS WORK INCLUDED STORIES ON HOW A HOUSING PROGRAM FOR MENTALLY ILL NEW YORKERS HAS PROVEN UNSAFE, INHUMANE AND SOMETIMES DEADLY; A TWO-PART FRONTLINE DOCUMENTARY ON VIOLENT WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUPS; EYE-OPENING STORIES ON HOW A BUDGET-DEPRIVED IRS IS UNABLE TO PURSUE TAX CHEATS; THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S CONTINUED EFFORTS TO SEPARATE FAMILIES AT THE BORDER, MONTHS AFTER IT CLAIMED TO HAVE STOPPED; AND THE JUNK FORENSIC SCIENCE OF BLOODSTAIN-PATTERN ANALYSIS THAT HAS BECOME ENTRENCHED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; AND THE HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY'S WORK WITH DATA BROKERS TO VACUUM UP OUR PERSONAL DETAILS. MUCH HAS CHANGED SINCE PROPUBLICA PUBLISHED ITS FIRST STORY, BUT THE VALUE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM WITH MORAL FORCE REMAINS. WE'RE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO GROW, AND TO LEAD, IN OUR NEXT TEN YEARS AND BEYOND. ADDITIONAL IMPACT SINCE PROPUBLICA WAS STARTED 10 YEARS AGO, IMPACT HAS BEEN AT THE CORE OF OUR MISSION, AND IT REMAINS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE AND YARDSTICK FOR OUR SUCCESS TODAY. WE MEASURE OUR IMPACT NOT IN TERMS OF AUDIENCE SIZE OR HONORS, BUT REAL-WORLD CHANGE. IN ADDITION TO THE IMPACT FROM OUR REPORTING ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S FAMILY SEPARATION POLICY, INEQUITIES IN CHICAGO'S PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT SYSTEM, USE OF FORCE IN THE ELKHART POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HOW AN AMERICAN CHARITY FAILED THE LIBERIAN GIRLS UNDER ITS CARE, ALL DESCRIBED EARLIER IN THIS REPORT, OUR JOURNALISM IN 2018 SPURRED SUCH CHANGE IN A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT AREAS. LAWS TO IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH PASSED OUR REPORTING WITH NPR ABOUT MATERNAL MORTALITY IN THE U.S. SPURRED SIGNIFICANT CHANGE. AFTER DECADES OF CONGRESSIONAL INACTION, IN DECEMBER CONGRESS APPROVED A BILL TO FUND STATE PANELS TO REVIEW AND INVESTIGATE DEATHS OF EXPECTANT AND NEW MOTHERS. THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ALSO VOTED TO APPROVE $50 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS AIMED AT REDUCING THE RATE OF WOMEN WHO DIE DURING PREGNANCY OR CHILDBIRTH. CITING THE REPORTING, STATE AND LOCAL LAWMAKERS AROUND THE COUNTRY ADOPTED BILLS AIMED AT REFORMING HOW MATERNAL DEATHS ARE IDENTIFIED AND INVESTIGATED. CONNECTICUT, INDIANA, MARYLAND, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA AND WASHINGTON, D.C., PASSED LAWS CREATING MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEES TO SCRUTINIZE DEATHS AND NEAR-DEATHS AMONG EXPECTANT AND NEW MOTHERS, AND TO MAKE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH. A SIMILAR BILL IS PENDING IN NEW JERSEY. THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS, WHICH SETS STANDARDS OF CARE FOR OBSTETRICIAN-GYNECOLOGISTS, ALSO RELEASED SWEEPING NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING MATERNAL CARE, INCLUDING GUIDELINES FOR DOCTORS TO SEE NEW MOTHERS SOONER AND MORE FREQUENTLY, AND FOR INSURERS TO COVER THE INCREASED VISITS. IN ADDITION, IN AUGUST, AFTER PROPUBLICA REACHED OUT TO A NUMBER OF CONSUMER HEALTH SITES THAT PUBLISHED IMPRECISE, OUTDATED AND MISLEADING INFORMATION ABOUT PREECLAMPSIA - A DANGEROUS FORM OF HYPERTENSION THAT CAN DEVELOP DURING PREGNANCY OR IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AFTER CHILDBIRTH - THE MAYO CLINIC CORRECTED ITS INFORMATION. THE CLEVELAND CLINIC, HARVARD HEALTH PUBLISHING AND MEDLINE PLUS ALSO AGREED TO MAKE NECESSARY UPDATES. DISCRIMINATORY FACEBOOK POLICIES HALTED IN 2016, PROPUBLICA REPORTED THAT FACEBOOK ALLOWS ADVERTISERS TO BUY CREDIT, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT ADS THAT EXCLUDE ANYONE WITH AN "AFFINITY" FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN, ASIAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC PEOPLE FROM SEEING THEM. OUR 2017 FOLLOW-UP FOUND THAT THE SOCIAL NETWORK HAD NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM, PROMPTING FACEBOOK TO TEMPORARILY STOP ADVERTISERS FROM EXCLUDING VIEWERS BY RACE WHILE IT REVIEWED ITS AD SYSTEM. IN JULY, FACEBOOK SAID IT WOULD NO LONGER ALLOW ADVERTISERS TO EXCLUDE USERS BY FEDERALLY PROTECTED CATEGORIES. WRONGFULLY CONVICTED MAN EXONERATED IN 2017, WE REPORTED ON DEMETRIUS SMITH, WHO WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED OF MURDER IN BALTIMORE AND AGREED TO AN ALFORD PLEA A DEAL THAT ALLOWS DEFENDANTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR INNOCENCE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PLEADING GUILTY AND ACCEPTING THE STATUS OF A CONVICTED FELON. OUR STORY SHOWED THAT THE PROSECUTOR HAD BLOCKED SMITH'S REQUEST TO REVISE HIS UNUSUAL PLEA DEAL AND MODIFY HIS SENTENCE. PROMPTED BY THE STORY, THE PROSECUTOR FILED A MOTION SAYING HE HAD BEEN WRONG AND ASKED A JUDGE TO SCHEDULE A NEW HEARING FOR SMITH. IN JANUARY, THAT HEARING ENDED WITH SMITH'S CRIMINAL RECORD BEING CLEARED. MEDICAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ELIMINATED PROPUBLICA PUBLISHED A SERIES OF INVESTIGATIONS WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES DETAILING UNDISCLOSED RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER AND FOR-PROFIT HEALTH CARE COMPANIES, HIGHLIGHTING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. A SEPTEMBER STORY ON DR. JOSE BASELGA, MSK'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, UNCOVERED HIS FAILURE TO DISCLOSE CORPORATE BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND PAYMENTS FROM COMPANIES CONNECTED TO CANCER RESEARCH IN HIS PUBLISHED RESEARCH ARTICLES, EVEN WHEN HE WAS REPORTING ON THE RESULTS OF STUDIES CONDUCTED BY THOSE COMPANIES. WITHIN DAYS OF OUR REPORTING, HE RESIGNED. BY DECEMBER BASELGA ALSO RESIGNED AS AN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE PROMINENT MEDICAL JOURNAL, CANCER DISCOVERY. IN ADDITION, MSK CEO DR. CRAIG THOMPSON RESIGNED FROM HIS SEATS ON THE BOARDS OF MERCK AND CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES AND MADE NEW CONFLICT DISCLOSURES, AS DID OTHER MSK STAFF. AFTER OUR INVESTIGATION, MSK ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT A VICE PRESIDENT WHO OVERSEES HOSPITAL VENTURES WITH FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES WOULD TURN OVER TO THE HOSPITAL NEARLY $1.4 MILLION OF A STAKE IN A BIOTECH COMPANY THAT HE RECEIVED FOR REPRESENTING MSK ON THE COMPANY'S BOARD. WHITE SUPREMACISTS DISMISSED AND ARRESTED IN MAY, PROPUBLICA PARTNERED WITH FRONTLINE TO PUBLISH AN INVESTIGATION THAT IDENTIFIED FORMER AND ACTIVE-DUTY MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY AS MEMBERS OF ATOMWAFFEN DIVISION, A NEO-NAZI GROUP. WITHIN WEEKS OF THE INVESTIGATION, THE U.S. MARINE CORPS ANNOUNCED THAT IT OPENED A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE ACTIVITIES OF LANCE CPL. VASILLIOS PISTOLIS, WHOM THE REPORT IDENTIFIED AS A VIOLENT WHITE SUPREMACIST WHO TOOK PART IN THE CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, DEMONSTRATION LAST AUGUST. IN JUNE, PISTOLIS WAS CONVICTED AT A COURT-MARTIAL ON CHARGES OF DISOBEYING ORDERS AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS, AND HE WAS DISMISSED FROM THE CORPS. IN JULY, PROPUBLICA AND FRONTLINE REPORTED ON THE VIOLENT WHITE SUPREMACIST RISE ABOVE MOVEMENT. ONE DAY AFTER OUR REPORT, WHICH NAMED MICHAEL MISELIS, AN AEROSPACE ENGINEER WITH GOVERNMENT SECURITY CLEARANCE, AS A MEMBER OF RAM, HIS EMPLOYER, DEFENSE CONTRACTOR NORTHROP GRUMMAN, ANNOUNCED THAT MISELIS NO LONGER WORKED THERE. IN AUGUST, THE MARINE CORPS ISSUED UPDATED ORDERS PROHIBITING PARTICIPATION IN WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUPS, ENCOURAGING MEMBERS TO REPORT FELLOW MARINES ENGAGED IN THESE ACTIVITIES AND TIGHTENING RULES ON ACCOUNTABILITY. IN OCTOBER, CITING PROPUBLICA AND FRONTLINE'S REPORTING, FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ANNOUNCED THEY HAD ARRESTED FOUR MEMBERS OR ASSOCIATES OF RAM - ROBERT RUNDO, ROBERT BOMAN, TYLER LAUBE AND AARON EASON - OVER THEIR ALLEGED ROLE IN THE "UNITE THE RIGHT" RALLY IN CHARLOTTESVILLE. IF CONVICTED, THE MEN COULD FACE FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR EACH OF TWO FEDERAL RIOT CHARGES. POLICE COOPERATION WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS REGULATED IN APRIL, PROPUBLICA AND THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER REPORTED ON TACTICS USED BY STATE AND LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS IN PENNSYLVANIA, WITHOUT GUIDELINES OR OVERSIGHT, TO HELP IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ROUND UP IMMIGRANTS FOR DEPORTATION, INCLUDING THE QUESTIONING AND ARRESTS OF HISPANIC MOTORISTS DURING TRAFFIC STOPS. IN JUNE, THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE ANNOUNCED THAT OFFICERS WILL NOW BE REQUIRED TO FILE A REPORT ANY TIME THEY CALL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES TO THE SCENE OF A TRAFFIC STOP, DETAILING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CALL. RED CROSS OFFICIAL RESIGNS OVER HANDLING OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IN JANUARY, WE REPORTED ON GERALD ANDERSON, A FORMER SENIOR EXECUTIVE AT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, WHO HAD BEEN FORCED OUT OF THE ORGANIZATION AFTER HE HARASSED A SUBORDINATE AND WAS ACCUSED OF RAPING ANOTHER. RED CROSS GENERAL COUNSEL DAVID MELTZER HAD LAUDED ANDERSON ON HIS WAY OUT AND GAVE HIM A POSITIVE REFERENCE, HELPING HIM LAND A NEW POSITION AT SAVE THE CHILDREN. WHEN PROPUBLICA CONTACTED SAVE THE CHILDREN ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF ANDERSON'S DEPARTURE, THE ORGANIZATION PLACED ANDERSON ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE. WEEKS LATER, HE WAS NO LONGER EMPLOYED BY SAVE THE CHILDREN. FOLLOWING THE ARTICLE, MELTZER ALSO RESIGNED FROM THE RED CROSS, SAYING THAT HE DEEPLY REGRETTED HIS HANDLING OF THE SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CASE. |
| UNUSUAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY REVERSED | IN EARLY 2017, PROPUBLICA REPORTED ON DUAL ARRESTS" IN CONNECTICUT - INSTANCES IN WHICH POLICE ARREST BOTH THE VICTIM AND THE PERPETRATOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE STATE HAS A DUAL ARREST RATE ABOUT 10 TIMES HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. EXPERTS SAY THIS DISSUADES VICTIMS FROM CALLING POLICE BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF ARREST AND THE LASTING DAMAGE OF A FORMAL CRIMINAL RECORD. IN MAY, THE CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL, WHICH THE GOVERNOR SIGNED INTO LAW, TO END THE PRACTICE OF ARRESTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALONG WITH THEIR ABUSERS WHEN THEY FIGHT BACK DURING THE COURSE OF AN ASSAULT. DISCRIMINATORY POLICE PRACTICE ABANDONED PROPUBLICA AND THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION REPORTED IN LATE 2017 THAT POLICE IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, DISPROPORTIONATELY ISSUED PEDESTRIAN TICKETS TO BLACK RESIDENTS, ALMOST ALL OF THEM IN THE CITY'S POOREST NEIGHBORHOODS. AFTER THE STORY, A JACKSONVILLE ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY ISSUED A BULLETIN TO THE CITY'S SHERIFF'S OFFICE DETAILING THE PROPER ENFORCEMENT OF FLORIDA'S PEDESTRIAN STATUTES, AND THE JACKSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND OTHER LOCAL LAWMAKERS CALLED FOR THE SUSPENSION OF PEDESTRIAN TICKET WRITING. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONDUCTED BIAS TRAINING FOR SOME OFFICERS AND TRAINED OTHERS ON THE PROPER WAYS TO ISSUE PEDESTRIAN TICKETS. THE REPORTING ALSO PROMPTED THE NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND TO GO TO JACKSONVILLE TO CONDUCT ON-THE-GROUND INTERVIEWS FOR AN INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE'S ENFORCEMENT OF PEDESTRIAN TICKETS. NEO-NAZIS LOSE ACCESS TO ONLINE PLATFORMS IN FEBRUARY, PROPUBLICA REPORTED THAT THE CALIFORNIA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A GAY, JEWISH UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA STUDENT WAS A MEMBER OF ATOMWAFFEN DIVISION, A NEO-NAZI GROUP. OUR REPORTERS OBTAINED OVER 250,000 MESSAGES FROM THE GROUP'S SECRET CHAT ROOM, SHOWING THAT OTHER ATOMWAFFEN MEMBERS CHEERED THE DEATH. AFTER THIS STORY, AT LEAST FOUR TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES - INCLUDING YOUTUBE; DISCORD, A CHAT APP FOR VIDEO GAMERS; STEAM, A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION BOARD FOR GAMERS; AND INKTALE, AN ONLINE T-SHIRT RETAILER - TOOK STEPS TO BAR THE HATE GROUP FROM USING THEIR ONLINE SERVICES AND PLATFORMS. HAZARDOUS CLINICAL TRIALS SCRUTINIZED AS STAR PSYCHIATRIST RESIGNS IN APRIL, PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS REPORTED THAT CHILD PSYCHIATRIST MANI PAVULURI, WHOSE RENOWNED UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AT ILLINOIS CLINIC DREW FAMILIES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, VIOLATED PROTOCOLS AND PUT CHILDREN AT RISK. OUR REPORTING DETAILED HOW PAVULURI VIOLATED THE TERMS OF A FEDERAL GRANT BY TESTING LITHIUM ON CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 13, FAILED TO PROPERLY ALERT PARENTS OF THE STUDY'S RISKS AND FALSIFIED DATA TO COVER UP THE MISCONDUCT. AFTER THE STORY, PAVULURI RESIGNED FROM THE UIC, AND IN DECEMBER, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION OF HER CONDUCT. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S CIVIL RIGHTS RECORDS UNDER REVIEW IN JUNE, WE REPORTED THAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF SECRETARY OF EDUCATION BETSY DEVOS, SCUTTLED MORE THAN 1,200 CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATIONS THAT WERE INHERITED FROM THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. OUR ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS LESS LIKELY THAN ITS PREDECESSOR TO FIND WRONGDOING BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ON ISSUES RANGING FROM RACIAL AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT TO MEETING EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF DISABLED STUDENTS. IN NOVEMBER, THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS SCRUTINIZING HOW THE DEPARTMENT HANDLES CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS. FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OF PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL'S CHILDREN'S UNIT LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER, PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS UNCOVERED NUMEROUS ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND ASSAULT AGAINST CHILDREN WHO WERE PATIENTS AT AURORA CHICAGO LAKESHORE HOSPITAL, A PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY, WHILE IN THE CARE OF THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, OR DCFS. FOLLOWING THE REPORT, FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED THEY WERE PULLING FUNDING FROM THE HOSPITAL - A MANDATE THAT A JUDGE HAS TEMPORARILY REVERSED AFTER THE HOSPITAL'S REQUEST FOR A RESTRAINING ORDER UNTIL IT COULD APPEAL THE DECISION. STATE LAWMAKERS AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF ILLINOIS DEMANDED A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION OF THE FACILITY, AND DCFS VOWED TO STOP SENDING KIDS THERE. UNDER MOUNTING PRESSURE, DCFS AGREED TO A FULL, INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT INVOLVING CHILDREN IN ITS CARE PLACED AT THE HOSPITAL, AND THE ACLU OF ILLINOIS TOOK DCFS TO COURT IN AN ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE REMAINING CHILDREN IN STATE CARE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. A FEDERAL JUDGE ALSO SAID HE WILL APPOINT A MONITOR TO OVERSEE DCFS. PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS ALSO PUBLISHED AN INVESTIGATION HIGHLIGHTING DCFS' PRACTICE OF HOLDING CHILDREN IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS, SOMETIMES FOR MONTHS, AFTER PHYSICIANS HAVE CLEARED THEM FOR RELEASE. ONE WEEK AFTER THE STORY, WHICH WAS CO-PUBLISHED WITH THE ATLANTIC, ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS CALLED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING, DEMANDING STATE CHILD WELFARE OFFICIALS EXPLAIN WHY THEY ROUTINELY FAIL TO FIND BETTER HOMES FOR HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS. THE ACTING COOK COUNTY PUBLIC GUARDIAN FILED A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN AND TEEANGERS IN STATE CARE WHO HAVE BEEN HELD IN HOSPITALS BEYOND MEDICAL NECESSITY, CALLING THE PRACTICE INHUMANE AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL. IN ADDITION, THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF ILLINOIS, WHICH HAS MONITORED THE STATE'S CHILD WELFARE AGENCY FOR DECADES AS PART OF A FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE, ASKED A FEDERAL JUDGE TO TAKE THE RARE STEP OF APPOINTING A SPECIAL MASTER TO RESOLVE DISPUTES AND DATA REQUESTS RELATED TO PROVIDING MORE APPROPRIATE SERVICES FOR SUCH CHILDREN. UNRELIABLE FORENSICS RE-EXAMINED IN MAY, PROPUBLICA AND THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE TOLD THE STORY OF JOE BRYAN, A FORMER TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL WHO HAS SPENT MORE THAN 30 YEARS IN PRISON FOR THE MURDER OF HIS WIFE, A CRIME HE CLAIMS HE DIDN'T COMMIT. HIS CONVICTION RESTED ALMOST SOLELY ON BLOODSTAIN-PATTERN ANALYSIS, A TECHNIQUE USED THROUGHOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, DESPITE WIDESPREAD CONCERNS ABOUT ITS RELIABILITY. AFTER OUR STORY, THE TEXAS FORENSIC SCIENCE COMMISSION ASKED A PROMINENT BLOODSTAIN-PATTERN ANALYST TO RE-EXAMINE THE CASE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE INFLUENTIAL STATE BODY FOUND THAT THE ANALYSIS WAS NOT ACCURATE OR SCIENTIFICALLY SUPPORTED AND THAT THE EXPERT WHO TESTIFIED WAS "ENTIRELY WRONG," ALTHOUGH A STATE JUDGE REFUSED TO OVERTURN BRYAN'S CONVICTION. RISKY HOSPITAL PROGRAM LOSES COVERAGE IN MAY, PROPUBLICA COLLABORATED WITH THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE TO INVESTIGATE PERVASIVE PROBLEMS WITH ST. LUKE'S MEDICAL CENTER'S ONCE-RENOWNED HEART TRANSPLANT PROGRAM, WHICH IN RECENT YEARS HAD SOME OF THE WORST OUTCOMES IN THE COUNTRY. JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER THE STORY, THE HOSPITAL TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED THE PROGRAM TO REVIEW THE CARE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS. IT REOPENED TWO WEEKS LATER, CHANGING PROCEDURES AND STAFFING BUT NOT FINDING ANY "SYSTEMIC ISSUES." SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES MADE A RARE DECISION TO STOP MEDICARE FUNDING OF THE HOSPITAL'S HEART TRANSPLANT PROGRAM, SAYING IT HASN'T DONE ENOUGH TO IMPROVE CARE AFTER A STRING OF PATIENT DEATHS. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT INSTITUTED IN 2013, PROPUBLICA PUBLISHED A SERIES OF REPORTS FINDING THAT NEW YORK PROSECUTORS ARE ALMOST NEVER PUNISHED FOR MISCONDUCT, SUCH AS WITHHOLDING EVIDENCE AND TOLERATING FALSE TESTIMONY, THAT CAN LAND INNOCENT PEOPLE IN PRISON OR LET THE GUILTY GO FREE. IN JUNE, THE NEW YORK LEGISLATURE NEAR-UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A BILL AUTHORIZING THE GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATURE AND THE STATE'S CHIEF JUDGE TO SELECT A PANEL TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT. THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERED THE PANEL TO ISSUE WARNINGS AND RECOMMEND SANCTIONS, INCLUDING FIRINGS, TO THE GOVERNOR. IN AUGUST, GOV. ANDREW CUOMO SIGNED THE BILL INTO LAW. TROUBLED GARBAGE COLLECTION COMPANY CEASES OPERATIONS IN JANUARY, PROPUBLICA PROFILED DANGEROUS PRACTICES IN THE WORLD OF PRIVATE COMMERCIAL GARBAGE COLLECTION IN NEW YORK CITY. WE REPORTED THAT, WHEN A MAN WAS KILLED IN 2017 BY A TRUCK OWNED BY ONE OF THE CITY'S LARGEST TRASH HAULERS, SANITATION SALVAGE, WORKERS TOLD POLICE HE WAS A HOMELESS MAN WHO JUMPED ON THEIR TRUCK. OUR INVESTIGATION UNCOVERED THE IDENTITY OF THE MAN AS MOUCTAR DIALLO, A HELPER WHO WAS WORKING ON THE TRUCK THAT KILLED HIM. WHEN A PEDESTRIAN WAS KILLED BY A TRUCK DRIVEN BY THE SAME DRIVER IN APRIL, WE FOLLOWED UP WITH AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE COMPANY, DISCOVERING LABOR AND SAFETY VIOLATIONS. IN AUGUST, THE BUSINESS INTEGRITY COMMISSION, WHICH REGULATES NEW YORK'S PRIVATE TRASH INDUSTRY, SUSPENDED SANITATION SALVAGE'S LICENSE TO OPERATE AND BARRED THE DRIVER INVOLVED IN BOTH FATALITIES FROM WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY. THE COMPANY SURRENDERED ITS OPERATING LICENSE IN NOVEMBER. |
| "INDEPENDENT" WATCHDOG GROUP SHUTS DOWN | IN JANUARY, PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS AND THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT-LEANING ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE GAVE PROJECT SIX, AN ORGANIZATION THAT DESCRIBED ITSELF AS A NONPROFIT, INDEPENDENT, NONPARTISAN, ANTI-CORRUPTION WATCHDOG GROUP, 98 PERCENT OF ITS FIRST-YEAR BUDGET. PROJECT SIX HAD PREVIOUSLY REFUSED TO DISCLOSE ITS FUNDING SOURCES. A FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE'S CEO AND HIS ASSOCIATES MOVED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AROUND THE FIVE INTERCONNECTED NONPROFITS THEY RAN, STEERING MONEY TO FOR-PROFIT VENTURES IN WHICH THEY HAVE A STAKE. THESE REVELATIONS PROMPTED SWIFT CRITICISM FROM THE GOVERNOR AND A POTENTIAL INVESTIGATION BY THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL. IN APRIL 2018, PROJECT SIX ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN. WRONGFUL CONVICTION BASED ON ERRONEOUS DNA TESTING OVERTURNED IN 2017, WE REPORTED ON A DNA TESTING TECHNIQUE USED BY NEW YORK CITY'S MEDICAL EXAMINER AND DOZENS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO ANALYZE DIFFICULT DNA SAMPLES FROM CRIME SCENES. THE ARTICLE SHOWED THAT SOME SCIENTISTS AND DEFENSE LAWYERS SAY THE TECHNIQUE MAY BE INACCURATE, POTENTIALLY PUTTING INNOCENT PEOPLE IN PRISON. IN OCTOBER, MAYER HERSKOVIC, FEATURED IN PROPUBLICA'S INVESTIGATION, HAD HIS CONVICTION OVERTURNED AND THE UNDERLYING INDICTMENT DISMISSED BY THE STATE APPEALS COURT BECAUSE OF "LESS THAN CONVINCING" DNA EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM. POLLUTING MILITARY PRACTICES LIMITED IN 2017, PROPUBLICA REVEALED HOW THE PENTAGON'S DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF WEAPONS HAS POLLUTED MILLIONS OF ACRES OF LAND AND DRINKING WATER RESOURCES ACROSS 40,000 U.S. SITES, WITH THE PENTAGON SYSTEMATICALLY IGNORING OR DOWNPLAYING ITS CLEANUP RESPONSIBILITIES. PROMPTED BY OUR INVESTIGATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSPECTOR GENERAL LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MILITARY'S PRACTICE OF OPEN BURNING AND DETONATING HAZARDOUS EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS ON ITS PROPERTIES, AS WELL AS ITS FREQUENT RELIANCE ON FEDERAL CONTRACTORS TO CARRY OUT THAT WORK. IN ADDITION, REP. CAROL SHEA-PORTER, A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT TO THE DEFENSE SPENDING BILL REQUIRING THE PENTAGON TO END THE OUTMODED AND HIGHLY TOXIC PRACTICE OF BURNING OLD MUNITIONS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES IN THE OPEN AIR. THE BILL PASSED IN JUNE. CASES OF MISSING CHILDREN REVISITED IN SEPTEMBER, PROPUBLICA PUBLISHED AN INVESTIGATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEWSDAY AND THIS AMERICAN LIFE, ON NEARLY A DOZEN LATINO FAMILIES THAT CAME TO THE SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT IN LONG ISLAND ABOUT THEIR TEENAGE CHILDREN WHO HAD DISAPPEARED. WHILE THE DEPARTMENT IGNORED THEIR CONCERNS AND LABELED THEIR CHILDREN RUNAWAYS, IT TURNED OUT THAT MANY OF THE MISSING HAD BEEN MURDERED BY MEMBERS OF THE GANG MS-13. WITHIN A WEEK OF PUBLICATION, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL REVISIT CASES IN WHICH FAMILIES HAVE ALLEGED MISCONDUCT, AND BOTH OF THE DETECTIVES FEATURED IN OUR INVESTIGATION ARE NOW UNDER INTERNAL AFFAIRS REVIEW. DISCRIMINATORY TICKETING PRACTICES REFORMED PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS PUBLISHED A SERIES OF STORIES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WBEZ, EXPOSING CHICAGO'S AGGRESSIVE AND UNEQUAL TICKETING PRACTICES, COMBINED WITH PUNITIVE COLLECTIONS MEASURES, WHICH HAVE PUSHED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MOSTLY BLACK MOTORISTS INTO CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY. SINCE OUR REPORTING, THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS DISMISSED SOME 23,000 OUTSTANDING DUPLICATE VEHICLE TICKETS AND WILL REFUND MOTORISTS WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR AN ADDITIONAL 12,000 DUPLICATES. THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL APPROVED REFORMS INCLUDING A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP LOW-INCOME MOTORISTS COMPLY WITH THE MUNICIPAL REQUIREMENT AND TO AVOID COSTLY CITATIONS, ALONG WITH A MEASURE TO WIPE AWAY SOME TICKET DEBT FOR MOTORISTS WHO FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY UNDER CHAPTER 7. ANOTHER MORE SWEEPING SET OF IMPROVEMENTS HAS ALSO BEEN PUT FORWARD AND IS AWAITING CONSIDERATION. ILLEGAL USES OF PRESIDENTIAL SEAL HALTED IN MARCH, OUR "TRUMP, INC." PODCAST WITH WNYC REPORTED THAT THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION HAD ORDERED DOZENS OF GOLF TEE MARKERS EMBLAZONED WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL SEAL, EVEN THOUGH IT'S ILLEGAL TO USE THE SEAL FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. THE DAY AFTER THE STORY, THE PRESIDENT'S COMPANY SAID IT REMOVED THE MARKERS FROM ITS GOLF COURSES. AGE DISCRIMINATION SCRUTINIZED IN MARCH, PROPUBLICA PUBLISHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO IBM'S PRACTICES OF FORCING OLDER WORKERS OUT OF THEIR JOBS THROUGH RETIREMENT AND LAYOFFS, REPLACING THEM WITH YOUNGER EMPLOYEES AND FLOUTING LAWS INTENDED TO PROTECT AGAINST AGE BIAS. IN MAY, THE U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION CONSOLIDATED AGE DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE COMPANY FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, LAUNCHING A NATIONWIDE INVESTIGATION OF AGE BIAS AT IBM. LONGSTANDING CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED IN DECEMBER, PROPUBLICA AND THE NEW YORK TIMES PUBLISHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN MONTANA'S WOLF POINT SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHERE TRIBAL LEADERS HAVE LONG CLAIMED THAT SCHOOLS DISCIPLINE NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS MORE HARSHLY THAN WHITE STUDENTS, SHUNT THEM INTO REMEDIAL PROGRAMS WITHOUT APPROPRIATE CAUSE, AND DENY THEM SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATIONS AND SERVICES. DESPITE RECEIVING A DETAILED CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT FILED BY TRIBAL LEADERS IN JUNE 2017, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAD FAILED TO ACT. HOURS AFTER OUR STORY, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS SAID THAT IT WILL INVESTIGATE THE COMPLAINT ON RACIAL INEQUITIES. CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS LIMITED LAST YEAR, PROPUBLICA, WNYC AND THE NEW YORKER REPORTED THAT MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY CYRUS VANCE JR. HAD YEARS EARLIER OVERRULED PROSECUTORS WHO WANTED TO BRING FELONY FRAUD CHARGES AGAINST IVANKA TRUMP AND DONALD TRUMP JR. DURING THE OFFICE'S INVESTIGATION, IN 2012, VANCE MET WITH TRUMP LAWYER MARC KASOWITZ, WHO HAD DONATED TO VANCE'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN. FOLLOWING THE REPORT, VANCE SAID HE WOULD NO LONGER TAKE CAMPAIGN DONATIONS FROM DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WITH CASES BEFORE HIM AND WILL CAP DONATIONS FROM THEIR LAW PARTNERS. HE ALSO WILL NOT SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS PERSONALLY AND WILL HAVE HIS CAMPAIGN SHIELD HIM FROM THE IDENTITIES OF HIS DONORS. CHANGES TO FBI CRIME REPORTING FAST-TRACKED AND LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT AUDITED PROPUBLICA PARTNERED WITH REVEAL FROM THE CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AND NEWSY FOR AN INVESTIGATION ON LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT'S WIDESPREAD USE OF "EXCEPTIONAL CLEARANCES" TO CLOSE RAPE CASES WITHOUT ACTUALLY RESOLVING THEM. THE STORY DISCOVERED A MAJOR FLAW IN THE FBI'S CRIME REPORTING SYSTEM, THE NATIONAL INCIDENT-BASED REPORTING SYSTEM, OR NIBRS, THAT DID NOT REQUIRE AGENCIES TO TRACK CASES CLASSIFIED AS "UNFOUNDED," A CATEGORY FOR WHEN POLICE SAY THE VICTIM IS LYING OR THE REPORTED CRIME DIDN'T OCCUR. CALLING OUR FINDINGS "A CRISIS, AN EMERGENCY," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FBI'S NIBRS TRANSITION TASK FORCE HAS EXPEDITED A PROCESS EXPECTED TO CHANGE REPORTING RULES AND REQUIRE POLICE TO DISCLOSE THESE CASES. THE STORY ALSO PROMPTED THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT TO REQUEST AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT BY TEXAS OFFICIALS, WHICH FOUND THAT AUSTIN POLICE HAD IMPROPERLY CLEARED NEARLY A THIRD OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES FROM 2017, A MISCLASSIFICATION THAT MADE THE DEPARTMENT'S RATE OF SOLVING RAPE CASES APPEAR HIGHER. EFFECTIVENESS OF SUPPORTED HOUSING SYSTEM ASSESSED IN AN INVESTIGATION WITH FRONTLINE AND THE NEW YORK TIMES ON A NEW YORK POLICY TO MOVE PEOPLE OUT OF INSTITUTIONS AND INTO PRIVATE APARTMENTS, WE REVEALED THAT CLINICIANS FELT PRESSURED TO MOVE INDIVIDUALS INTO APARTMENTS EVEN WHEN THEY WERE NOT GOOD CANDIDATES. LACKING THE STRUCTURE OF THE INSTITUTIONS, IT BECAME MUCH EASIER FOR INDIVIDUALS TO SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS, WITH DANGEROUS, DEHUMANIZING AND SOMETIMES FATAL RESULTS. THE DAY AFTER OUR REPORT, FEDERAL JUDGE NICHOLAS GARAUFIS, WHO ORIGINALLY ARRANGED THE 2014 SETTLEMENT THAT RESULTED IN THE SUPPORTED HOUSING POLICY, ORDERED AN INDEPENDENT REPORT TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM, GOT THE STATE TO COMMIT TO EXAMINING ITS SERVICE-COORDINATION PROGRAM AND SUGGESTED THE STATE DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO HELP RESIDENTS LEARN AND PRACTICE BASIC LIFE SKILLS IN SUPPORTED HOUSING. PATIENT PRIVACY DEFENDED IN DECEMBER 2015, PROPUBLICA, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES, REPORTED ON PATIENTS WHO HAD DETAILS OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES AND TREATMENTS EXPOSED BY A NEW JERSEY PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE SUING THEM OVER UNPAID BILLS. IN APRIL 2017, THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE NEW JERSEY STATE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINERS FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE PSYCHOLOGIST, BARRY HELFMANN, FOR FAILING TO PROTECT PATIENTS' CONFIDENTIALITY. THIS JUNE, THE STATE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINERS MOVED TO SUSPEND HIS LICENSE FOR TWO YEARS. ELECTIONLAND TRACKED VOTER PROBLEM THROUGHOUT 2018, PROPUBLICA'S ELECTIONLAND USED DATA AND TECHNOLOGY TO TRACK ISSUES THAT CAN PREVENT VOTERS FROM CASTING THEIR BALLOTS, IN ORDER TO FIX PROBLEMS IN TIME FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE. |
| THE PROJECT SPURRED CONSIDERABLE IMPACT ACROSS THE COUNTRY: | - DAYS BEFORE ELECTION DAY, PROPUBLICA FOUND THAT THE COMPUTER SERVERS THAT POWERED KENTUCKY'S ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION AND WISCONSIN'S REPORTING OF ELECTION RESULTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO HACKING. OUR ANALYSIS FOUND THAT THE INSECURE SERVICE RUN BY WISCONSIN COULD BE REACHED FROM INTERNET ADDRESSES BASED IN RUSSIA, WHILE KENTUCKY'S WAS ACCESSIBLE FROM OTHER EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. AFTER OUR INQUIRY, WISCONSIN SHUT DOWN ITS SERVICE, AND SHORTLY AFTER THE STORY RAN, KENTUCKY APPEARED TO DO THE SAME, MAKING ITS SERVER NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. - RESPONDING TO AN ELECTIONLAND TIP, OUR PARTNERS AT THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE REPORTED ON VOTER REGISTRATION ISSUES AT PRAIRIE VIEW A&M, A HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITY IN WALLER COUNTY. ADMINISTRATIVE ERRORS WERE KEEPING HUNDREDS OF REGISTERED VOTERS AT THE SCHOOL FROM CASTING A BALLOT AT THE VOTING LOCATION ON CAMPUS. IN ADDITION, THE COUNTY WAS ASKING THEM TO FILL OUT FORMS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM - A STEP ADVOCATES SAY COULD CONFUSE STUDENTS AND KEEP THEM FROM VOTING. THE CHRONICLE ALSO DOCUMENTED THAT A DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN STAFFER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ISSUE WAS BRIEFLY ARRESTED AFTER TAKING A PHOTO OF THE COUNTY CLERK. AFTER THE COVERAGE, THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE STEPPED IN AND ALLOWED PRAIRIE VIEW STUDENTS TO VOTE ON CAMPUS WITHOUT FILLING OUT ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK. - A VOTER WHO HAD BEEN BOOTED FROM A POLLING LOCATION BECAUSE SHE WORE A T-SHIRT WITH THE LOGO OF A PROGRESSIVE TEXAS GROUP REACHED OUT TO ELECTIONLAND. SHE TOLD US THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE HAD SENT A MEMO TO POLL WORKERS SINGLING OUT THREE PROGRESSIVE GROUPS FOR REMOVAL FROM THE POLLS. WE SHARED THE MEMO WITH THE CHRONICLE, WHICH THEN CALLED THE CLERK'S OFFICE. SOON AFTER, BEFORE THE PAPER EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO PUBLISH A STORY, THE COUNTY RESCINDED THE MEMO. THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE ALSO LATER WEIGHED IN, ADVISING THE COUNTY AGAINST THE PROHIBITION. - WE RECEIVED A SLEW OF TIPS ABOUT RESISTBOT - A TEXTING SERVICE THAT REMINDS VOTERS OF THEIR POLLING PLACE AND OF EARLY VOTING DEADLINES - WHEN THE SERVICE TEXTED VOTERS ACROSS FLORIDA THAT EARLY VOTING ENDED A DAY EARLIER THAN IT REALLY DID. WHILE COUNTIES IN FLORIDA ARE NOT REQUIRED TO KEEP POLLING PLACES OPEN THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE ELECTION, MANY DO. AFTER WE PASSED THE TIP TO A REPORTER AT WLRN IN FLORIDA, HE TWEETED AT RESISTBOT ASKING THE ORGANIZATION TO CORRECT THE ERROR. IT DID, SENDING UPDATED TEXTS TO VOTERS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS. - DURING THE NEW YORK GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY IN SEPTEMBER, ELECTIONLAND TRACKED DOWN A TIP THAT THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY INSTRUCTED HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS IN A CONEY ISLAND BUILDING TO REMAIN HOME FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION ON THE DAY OF PRIMARY ELECTIONS. AFTER A PROPUBLICA REPORTER REACHED OUT TO THE AGENCY, A SPOKESPERSON SAID THE INSTRUCTIONS WERE AN OVERSIGHT AND RESCINDED THEM, ALSO PROMISING NOT TO SCHEDULE INSPECTIONS ON ELECTION DAY. - OUR PARTNERS AT BKLYNER AND WNYC REPORTED ON AN OFFICIAL NEW YORK CITY VOTER GUIDE THAT INCORRECTLY STATED FELONS CAN VOTE ONLY AFTER COMPLETING PAROLE. AFTER THE STORY, THE AGENCY UPDATED ITS WEBSITE, IN ADDITION TO CORRECTING A BLOG POST FROM TWO YEARS EARLIER THAT INCLUDED THE OUTDATED INFORMATION. - TAMPA BAY TIMES, AN ELECTIONLAND PARTNER, REPORTED ON A NEW PORT RICHEY POLLING SITE AT A CHURCH WHOSE PASTOR ERECTED A SIGN OUTSIDE READING "DON'T VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS ON TUESDAY AND SING 'OH HOW I LOVE JESUS' ON SUNDAY." WHILE THE PASCO COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE SAID ON ELECTION DAY THAT, DESPITE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, THE SIGN COULD NOT BE REMOVED BECAUSE IT WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OUTSIDE THE 100-FOOT PERIMETER WHERE CAMPAIGNING ISN'T ALLOWED, DAYS LATER THE CHURCH LOST ITS STATUS AS AN A POLLING SITE BECAUSE OF THE SIGN. RECOGNITION FOR OUR WORK PROPUBLICA'S WORK WAS HONORED IN 2018 AS FOLLOWS: OUR COLLABORATION WITH NPR, ON THE MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS IN THE U.S., WAS A FINALIST FOR THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR EXPLANATORY REPORTING. THE SERIES WON THE PEABODY AWARD IN THE RADIO/PODCAST CATEGORY; THE GOLDSMITH PRIZE FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING; THE GEORGE POLK AWARD FOR MEDICAL REPORTING; THE EDWARD R. MURROW NATIONAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION; THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS' SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR DIGITAL INTERACTIVE NEWS STORY; THE SIGMA DELTA CHI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM; THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE HEALTH EQUITY JOURNALISM PRIZE; A NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND MEDICINE COMMUNICATION AWARD; THE DEADLINE CLUB AWARD FOR PUBLIC INTEREST; AND THE COUNCIL ON CONTEMPORARY FAMILIES AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MEDIA COVERAGE OF FAMILY ISSUES. THE SERIES WAS A FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARD FOR PUBLIC INTEREST; THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS AND EDITORS AWARD FOR PRINT/ONLINE; THE ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH CARE JOURNALISTS AWARD FOR PRINT JOURNALISM; THE ONLINE JOURNALISM AWARDS' KNIGHT AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE; AND THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION RESEARCH AND JOURNALISM AWARD FOR PRINT JOURNALISM; AND RECEIVED HONORABLE MENTION FOR THE MOLLY NATIONAL JOURNALISM PRIZE. "THE TAX DIVIDE," A SERIES FROM PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS AND THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE ON THE UNFAIR PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT SYSTEM IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, WAS A FINALIST FOR THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING. THE SERIES WON THE GERALD LOEB AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL JOURNALISM IN THE LOCAL CATEGORY; THE TAYLOR AWARD FOR FAIRNESS IN JOURNALISM; THE NATIONAL HEADLINER AWARD FOR NEWS SERIES IN A DAILY NEWSPAPER; THE PETER LISAGOR AWARDS' WATCHDOG AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC INTEREST REPORTING; THE LISAGOR AWARD FOR BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING IN A GENERAL INTEREST DAILY NEWSPAPER, NEWS SERVICE OR NEWS BUREAU; AND THE NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY OF CPAS' EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL JOURNALISM AWARDS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND BEST LOCAL REPORTING; AND WAS A FINALIST FOR THE RICHARD H. DRIEHAUS FOUNDATION AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING. THE PROPUBLICA AND WNYC PODCAST "TRUMP, INC." WON AN ALFRED I. DUPONT-COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AWARD. PROPUBLICA WON AN ONLINE JOURNALISM AWARD FOR GENERAL EXCELLENCE IN ONLINE JOURNALISM. OUR SERIES WITH NPR AND THE NEW YORKER, ON HOW EMPLOYERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES USE THREATS OF DEPORTATION TO GET OUT OF PAYING WORKERS COMPENSATION FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS, WON THE MOLLY NATIONAL JOURNALISM PRIZE; THE JAMES ARONSON AWARD FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE JOURNALISM; THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN BUSINESS EDITORS AND WRITERS AWARD FOR EXPLANATORY REPORTING; THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS AND EDITORS AWARD IN THE RADIO/AUDIO CATEGORY; AND THE NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY OF CPAS' EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL JOURNALISM AWARD FOR BEST GENERAL REPORTING; AND WAS A FINALIST FOR THE DEADLINE AWARD FOR BEAT REPORTING. "AUTOMATING HATE," A COLLABORATION WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES AND GERMAN NEWS ORGANIZATIONS THAT EXPOSED DISCRIMINATORY FACEBOOK POLICIES, WON THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN BUSINESS EDITORS AND WRITERS AWARD IN THE TECHNOLOGY CATEGORY AND THE GERALD LOEB AWARD FOR BEAT REPORTING. OUR PROJECT WITH THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, "WALKING WHILE BLACK," ON RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF PEDESTRIAN VIOLATIONS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, WON THE AL NAKKULA AWARD FOR POLICE REPORTING; THE ONLINE JOURNALISM AWARDS' UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE DATA JOURNALISM; THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS' SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR ONLINE NEWS PROJECT; THE PAUL TOBENKIN MEMORIAL AWARD; THE DEADLINE CLUB AWARD FOR MINORITY FOCUS; AND THREE AWARDS IN THE FLORIDA SOCIETY OF NEWS EDITORS CONTEST FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND BEAT REPORTING. "TOO BROKE FOR BANKRUPTCY," OUR SERIES ON HOW THE BANKRUPTCY SYSTEM ROUTINELY FAILS THOSE IT IS MEANT TO AID AND PARTICULARLY PUNISHES POOR BLACK AMERICANS, WON THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEWS EDITORS' DORI J. MAYNARD AWARD FOR JUSTICE IN JOURNALISM; THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN BUSINESS EDITORS AND WRITERS AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING; AND SECOND PLACE FOR THE PHILIP MEYER AWARD FOR JOURNALISM USING SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS. THE SERIES WAS ALSO A FINALIST FOR THE GERALD LOEB AWARD IN THE EXPLANATORY CATEGORY AND THE ONLINE NEWS ASSOCIATION'S UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE DATA JOURNALISM. "BOMBS IN OUR BACKYARDS," A SERIES ON HOW THE U.S. MILITARY IS THE COUNTRY'S MOST DANGEROUS POLLUTER, WON THE SOCIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISTS' NINA MASON PULLIAM AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING AND SEJ'S KEVIN CARMODY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING IN-DEPTH REPORTING; RECEIVED HONORABLE MENTION IN THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB'S JOAN FRIEDENBERG ONLINE JOURNALISM AWARD; WAS A SILVER WINNER IN THE TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS; AND WAS A FINALIST FOR THE DEADLINE CLUB AWARD FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, MEDICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING. |
| THE "TRUMP TOWN" NEWS APP, TRACKING EX-LOBBYISTS AND WASHINGTON, D.C., | INSIDERS WHO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WON THE THE ONLINE NEWS ASSOCIATION'S AL NEUHARTH INNOVATION IN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM AWARD; THE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS' SUNSHINE AWARD; AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION'S FREE SPEECH & OPEN GOVERNMENT AWARD; WAS A FINALIST FOR THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS AND EDITORS AWARD FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION; AND WAS RECOGNIZED ON THE DATA JOURNALISM AWARDS SHORTLIST. "WASTED MEDICINE," OUR SERIES HIGHLIGHTING THE HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT THE U.S. WASTES EACH YEAR ON HEALTH CARE, WON THE ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH CARE JOURNALISTS AWARD IN THE CONSUMER/FEATURE CATEGORY AND THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN BUSINESS EDITORS AND WRITERS AWARD FOR HEALTH/SCIENCE; AND WAS A FINALIST FOR THE GERALD LOEB AWARD FOR PERSONAL FINANCE AND THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION RESEARCH AND JOURNALISM AWARD FOR PRINT JOURNALISM. OUR INVESTIGATION WITH FORTUNE, "THE BILLION-DOLLAR LOOPHOLE," ON A POPULAR CHARITABLE DONATION TAX SCHEME THAT IS BEING MANIPULATED TO MAKE BIG PROFITS, WON THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN BUSINESS EDITORS AND WRITERS AWARD FOR BANKING/FINANCE. OUR STORY ABOUT AN MS-13 INFORMANT WHO RISKED HIS LIFE TO WORK WITH LOCAL POLICE, CO-PUBLISHED WITH NEW YORK MAGAZINE, WON AN ONLINE JOURNALISM AWARD IN THE FEATURE CATEGORY. "THE RUNAWAYS," A COLLABORATION WITH THIS AMERICAN LIFE ABOUT HOW POLICE NEGLECTED TO INVESTIGATE LATINO TEENAGERS VICTIMIZED BY THE GANG, WON THE OCTOBER SIDNEY AWARD. "THE FAILURE TRACK," OUR INVESTIGATION ON NEGLECT AND PROFITEERING IN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS, WON THE NATIONAL AWARD FOR EDUCATION REPORTING FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING. THE PROPUBLICA-LED PROJECT "DOCUMENTING HATE," A COALITION OF NEWSROOMS REPORTING ON HATE CRIMES, WON THE ASSOCIATION OF LGBTQ JOURNALITS' AL NEUHARTH AWARD OF INNOVATION IN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM AND WAS A FINALIST FOR THE SCRIPPS HOWARD AWARD FOR TOPIC OF THE YEAR. OUR STORYTELLING AND REPORTING ON TWITTER ABOUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WON THE EDWARD R. MURROW REGIONAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA. OUR STORY ON FOREIGNERS RECEIVING PRIORITY ON LIVER TRANSPLANT LISTS WITH WVUE-TV NEW ORLEANS WON AN EDWARD R. MURROW REGIONAL AWARD FOR HARD NEWS. A PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY ON HOW CHICAGO POLICE SKIRT PUNISHMENT WITHIN A FAILED DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM WON TWO PETER LISAGOR AWARDS, FOR BEST MULTIMEDIA FEATURE PRESENTATION AND BEST MULTIMEDIA COLLABORATION, AND WAS A FINALIST FOR THE PETER LISAGOR AWARD FOR BEST POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENT REPORTING. OUR COLLABORATION WITH THE INVESTIGATIVE FUND, "TRASHED: INSIDE THE DEADLY WORLD OF PRIVATE GARBAGE COLLECTION," WON THE FEBRUARY SIDNEY AWARD. OUR INVESTIGATION WITH CONSUMER REPORTS INTO DISCRIMINATORY AUTO INSURANCE PRACTICES WON THE SHORTY SOCIAL GOOD AWARD FOR BEST IN RACIAL EQUALITY. OUR STORY ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN MISSISSIPPI'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WON THE DEADLINE CLUB AWARD FOR NEWSPAPER OR DIGITAL FEATURE REPORTING AND RECEIVED HONORABLE MENTION FOR THE NATIONAL PRESS FOUNDATION CAROLYN MATTINGLY AWARD FOR MENTAL HEALTH REPORTING. "HOW THE U.S. TRIGGERED A MASSACRE IN MEXICO," A COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, WAS A FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARD FOR REPORTING. OUR INVESTIGATION DISCLOSING UNSEEMLY PRACTICES BY THE FAMILY REAL ESTATE BUSINESS OF TRUMP'S SON-IN-LAW AND ADVISER JARED KUSHNER, CO-PUBLISHED WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE, WAS A FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARD FOR REPORTING. OUR INVESTIGATION INTO AGE DISCRIMINATION AT IBM WON THE BARLETT & STEELE BRONZE AWARD. OUR INTERACTIVE NEWS GAME WITH WNYC ON THE EXPERIENCES OF ASYLUM SEEKERS WAS A FINALIST FOR THE ONLINE JOURNALISM AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN VISUAL DIGITAL STORYTELLING. A COLLABORATION WITH THE TEXAS TRIBUNE ON FEDERAL LAND SEIZURES DURING THE UNITED STATES' FIRST EFFORT TO BUILD A BORDER WALL WAS A FINALIST FOR THE ONLINE NEWS ASSOCIATION'S UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE DATA JOURNALISM. "THE BELEAGUERED TENANTS OF KUSHNERVILLE" RECEIVED HONORABLE MENTION FOR THE JOHN BARTLOW MARTIN AWARD FOR PUBLIC INTEREST MAGAZINE JOURNALISM. OUR STORY EXPOSING THAT THOUSANDS OF CRIMINAL CASES IN NEW YORK CITY RELIED ON DISPUTED DNA TESTING TECHNIQUES, CO-PUBLISHED WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES, WAS A FINALIST FOR THE AL NAKKULA AWARD FOR POLICE REPORTING AND THE DEADLINE CLUB AWARD FOR LOCAL REPORTING. OUR SERIES ON ALFORD PLEAS, A LITTLE-KNOWN DEAL THAT ALLOWS DEFENDANTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR INNOCENCE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PLEADING GUILTY, WAS A FINALIST FOR THE TAYLOR FAMILY AWARD FOR FAIRNESS IN JOURNALISM AND IS A FINALIST FOR THE DEADLINE CLUB AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE. PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS WAS A FINALIST FOR THE PETER LISAGOR AWARD FOR BEST START-UP. "HOW CHICAGO GETS ITS GUNS," A PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS COLLABORATION WITH THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES AND WBEZ, WAS A FINALIST FOR THE PETER LISAGOR AWARD FOR BEST MULTIMEDIA FEATURE PRESENTATION. THE PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS POST "DOWNSTATE-OF-MIND: YOUR RESPONSES TO DEFINING 'DOWNSTATE' ILLINOIS" WAS A FINALIST FOR THE PETER LISAGOR AWARD FOR BEST INDIVIDUAL BLOG POST. "STUCK KIDS," A PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS INVESTIGATION REVEALING THAT HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN IN STATE CARE ARE HELD EACH YEAR IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS AT A TIME, WON THIRD PLACE IN THE RUDERMAN FOUNDATION AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING ON DISABILITY. PROPUBLICA SENIOR EDITOR CHARLES ORNSTEIN WAS A FINALIST FOR ROCK HEALTH'S AWARD FOR DIGITAL HEALTH REPORTER OF THE YEAR. PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS REPORTER MICK DUMKE WAS A FINALIST FOR THE CHICAGO JOURNALIST ASSOCIATION'S DOROTHY STOCK AWARD. RACHEL GLICKHOUSE, PARTNER MANAGER FOR PROPUBLICA'S DOCUMENTING HATE PROJECT, WAS A FINALIST FOR THE LIVINGSTON AWARD FOR YOUNG JOURNALISTS. OUR "LOST CAUSE" MAPS, SHOWING COUNTIES THAT SUPPORTED LOSING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, WERE INCLUDED IN THE NORTH AMERICAN CARTOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SOCIETY'S ATLAS OF DESIGN. OUR NEWS APPLICATIONS AND DATA VISUALIZATIONS WON 35 SOCIETY FOR NEWS DESIGN AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOR SITE REDESIGN, DESIGN TEAM PORTFOLIO, NEWS APPS PORTFOLIO, BREAKING NEWS, FEATURES, GRAPHICS, SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS, AND THE INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIOS OF DESIGN DIRECTOR DAVID SLEIGHT, EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE DESIGNER ROB WEYCHERT, AND SOCIAL VISUALS AND GRAPHICS PRODUCER LUCAS WALDRON. NEWS APPLICATIONS DEVELOPER LENA V. GROEGER WON THE INFORMATION IS BEAUTIFUL AWARD FOR IMPRESSIVE INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO, AND "BOMBS IN OUR BACKYARD" WON A TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS SILVER MEDAL. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | PRO PUBLICA HAS ITS FORM 990 PREPARED BY AN OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING FIRM AND HAS ESTABLISHED THE FOLLOWING REVIEW PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION REPORTED IS COMPLETE AND ACCURATE. WHEN THE FORM 990 HAS BEEN PREPARED, REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION AND IS READY TO BE FILED WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, IT'S SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO MEMBERS OF PRO PUBLICA'S GOVERNING BODY FOR ANY COMMENTS PRIOR TO ITS SUBMISSION. THE GOVERNING BODY IS PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEEK TO REVIEW THE PREPARED FORM 990 AND PROVIDE THEIR COMMENTS. ANY COMMENTS ARE THEN GROUPED, SUMMARIZED AND PROVIDED TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR THEIR REVIEW. EACH ISSUE IS DOCUMENTED AND ADDRESSED UNTIL THE RETURN IS FINALIZED AND APPROVED FOR FILING. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | PRO PUBLICA HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, WHICH APPLIES TO ALL DIRECTORS (BOARD MEMBERS), OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES. EACH DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ANNUALLY. AN INTERESTED PERSON MUST DISCLOSE AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE TO THE SECRETARY THE EXISTENCE OF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ALL MATERIAL FACTS RELATED TO THE CONFLICT. IF A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER IS UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS, HE/SHE SHOULD REPORT THE POSSIBLE CONFLICT IN ALL CASES IN WHICH A CRITICAL EXTERNAL OBSERVER MIGHT REASONABLY PERCEIVE A CONFLICT TO EXIST. THE BOARD COMMITTEE WILL DETERMINE IF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS. IN THE EVENT THAT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARISES, THE DIRECTOR OR OFFICER WITH WHOM THE CONFLICT PERTAINS TO IS EXCLUDED FROM VOTING ON THE ISSUE. HE/SHE WILL LEAVE THE ROOM AND THE OTHER DIRECTORS VOTE ON THE ISSUE PERTAINING TO THAT SPECIFIC TRANSACTION. WITH RESPECT TO ANY BOARD COMMITTEE'S DISCUSSION, DECISION, OR ACTIONS INVOLVING TRANSACTIONS IN WHICH A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING WILL REFLECT THE BOARD'S DELIBERATIONS AND VOTING PROCESS. IN CASE OF AN INTERESTED PARTY WHO IS NOT A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER, THE PRESIDENT MONITORS AND ENFORCES THE ORGANIZATION'S COMPLIANCE WITH ITS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. IF AN EMPLOYEE HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, HE/SHE CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN THE DECISION MAKING OF THE CONFLICTED TRANSACTION. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | SALARIES FOR THE CEOS ARE SET BY THE BOARD. THE BOARD USES THE SERVICES OF A LAW FIRM (CAPLIN & DRYSDALE, WHO SPECIALIZE IN NOT FOR PROFIT ISSUES) FOR GUIDANCE ON ALL MATTERS OF COMPENSATION. IN 2017, CAPLIN & DRYSDALE UPDATED THE COMPENSATION STUDY FOR CEOS. CAPLIN & DRYSDALE STUDIES COMPENSATION OF SELECT NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS AND RELIED ON THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF PROPUBLICA'S OPERATIONS AND STATUS IN THE FIELD OF JOURNALISM. THE BOARD ESTABLISHED COMPENSATION FOR THE CEOS USING COMPARABLE DATA AND DETERMINED THAT THE SALARIES ARE REASONABLE. COMPARABLE DATA INCLUDES VARIETY OF INFORMATION FROM JOURNALISM OUTLETS AND OTHER NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. APPROVED SALARY CHANGES ARE DOCUMENTED IN HUMAN RESOURCES FILES AND REQUIRE THE SIGNATURE OF BOTH THE EMPLOYEE AND THE HR DIRECTOR. THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER ARE ALSO DOCUMENTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. THIS PROCESS WAS LAST COMPLETED IN 2018. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS FORM 990 AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 6104 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. THE RETURN IS POSTED ON GUIDESTAR.ORG AND OTHER SIMILAR TYPES OF WEBSITES. IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, FORM 990, FORM 1023, AND BY-LAWS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, AND ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE (WWW.PROPUBLICA.ORG). |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: | LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF ASSET -11,098. LOSS ON FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE -48. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | PRO PUBLICA HAS AN AUDIT COMMITTEE THAT ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FOR THE SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. |