Donations Archives

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Beto O'Rourke speaks at a campaign rally on September 29th, 2018, in Austin, Texas.

Is the Record Number of Small Donations Making a Difference in the 2018 Mid-Term Elections?

Research suggests small donors are more like most Americans than large donors are. How big of a difference will they make to this year's congressional races?

Francie Diep

News in Brief

Libertarians Are Raking in Small Donors

For candidates like Ted Cruz, it's no longer about the single cash cow donor.

Gregory Ferenstein

Economics

Beware Billionaires Bearing Gifts

This new wave of high-profile donations from tech moguls may be generous, but it is not a win for populism. It's the modern Carnegie.

Susie Cagle

News in Brief

Why Are U.S. Taxpayers Subsidizing the Defense of Alleged Killers of a Palestinian Teen?

An Israeli group is raising money in the U.S. to support Israelis charged with or convicted of violence against Palestinians.

Uri Blau

Economics

The Red Cross Says How It Spent Hurricane Sandy Donations Is a ‘Trade Secret’

The charity is fighting ProPublica's public records request for information on how it raised and spent money after the superstorm.

Justin Elliott

Social Justice

How to Design an Effective Plea for Donations

Two new studies suggest an image of a single needy child is most effective, so long as you avoid the temptation to go with the most photogenic victims.

Tom Jacobs

Economics

The Dark Money Man: How Sean Noble Moved the Kochs’ Cash Into Politics and Made Millions

Sean Noble was a former congressional aide just starting as a political consultant when he was recruited to help run the Kochtopus—Charles and David Koch’s multi-layered political network.

Kim Barker & Theodoric Meyer

News in Brief

Federal Contractors May Be Told to Disclose Donations

In an end run around the "Citizens United" Supreme Court decision it disliked, the Obama administration is considering having all federal contractors disclose their political donations.

Emily Badger

Social Justice

Passing the Plate and the Peter-Paul Problem

Data from one Catholic parish suggest donations to the general operating funds dip on Sundays when a second collection is held.

Tom Jacobs