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Nonprofiteer
← PRO PUBLICA INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by PRO PUBLICA INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$64,268,632
Total expenses
$45,741,720
Contributions and grants received
$61,189,839
Grants paid
$1,208,606
Program service revenue
$191,906
Investment income
$2,072,959
Other revenue
$813,928
Total assets, end of year
$108,058,174
Total liabilities, end of year
$10,000,765
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$98,057,409
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$36,546,945
Management and general expenses
$5,405,649
Fundraising expenses
$3,789,126
Program service expenses (Part III)
$36,546,945

Program services were 79.9% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $61,189,839

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,377,734

  • 2a · Program service revenue: JOURNALISM AND EDITORIAL FEES

    total $191,906 · related or exempt $191,906

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $2,074,199 · excluded $2,074,199

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $365,819 · related or exempt $2,534 · excluded $363,285

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $12,943,950 · other assets $9,866

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $12,953,135 · other assets $1,921

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$9,185 · other assets $7,945

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$1,240 · excluded -$1,240

  • 11a · Other revenue: INSURANCE REIMB. OF LEGAL FEES

    total $327,142 · excluded $327,142

  • 11b · Other revenue: ADVERTISING REVENUE

    total $86,450 · unrelated business $86,450

  • 11c · Other revenue: HONORARIA AND OTHER REVENUE

    total $34,517 · excluded $34,517

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $448,109

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $1,168,106 · program services $1,168,106

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $40,500 · program services $40,500

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $2,330,844 · program services $518,181 · management and general $1,440,573 · fundraising $372,090

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $27,262,645 · program services $23,313,516 · management and general $2,117,814 · fundraising $1,831,315

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,148,616 · program services $984,969 · management and general $88,573 · fundraising $75,074

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $2,953,125 · program services $2,467,982 · management and general $257,813 · fundraising $227,330

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $2,223,592 · program services $1,716,902 · management and general $345,182 · fundraising $161,508

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $462,217 · program services $327,314 · management and general $121,991 · fundraising $12,912

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $68,710 · management and general $68,710

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $251,000 · fundraising $251,000

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,650,813 · program services $1,334,974 · management and general $298,688 · fundraising $17,151

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $51,314 · program services $1,031 · management and general $48,678 · fundraising $1,605

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $873,186 · program services $320,829 · management and general $41,969 · fundraising $510,388

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $1,203,897 · program services $931,990 · management and general $135,988 · fundraising $135,919

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $65,367 · program services $64,367 · management and general $1,000

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,292,836 · program services $1,060,015 · management and general $136,996 · fundraising $95,825

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,348,448 · program services $1,187,341 · management and general $101,346 · fundraising $59,761

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $35,095 · program services $2,663 · management and general $32,410 · fundraising $22

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $177,598 · program services $143,375 · management and general $20,534 · fundraising $13,689

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $516,907 · program services $436,503 · management and general $77,905 · fundraising $2,499

  • 24a · Other expenses: PUBLIC REC. COPIES/SUBS

    total $327,547 · program services $327,547

  • 24b · Other expenses: RECRUITMENT/PROF DEVEL.

    total $220,575 · program services $155,982 · management and general $54,295 · fundraising $10,298

  • 24c · Other expenses: REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

    total $55,503 · program services $42,826 · management and general $7,165 · fundraising $5,512

  • 24d · Other expenses: OTHER TAXES AND COMPLIA

    total $13,279 · program services $32 · management and general $8,019 · fundraising $5,228

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $4,391,641 · end of year $4,890,471

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $22,181,472 · end of year $38,544,211

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $16,277,190 · end of year $14,751,493

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $37,300 · end of year $259,969

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $805,197 · end of year $949,187

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $1,513,928

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $1,269,393

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $274,647 · end of year $244,535

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $32,721,307 · end of year $40,117,728

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $8,825,369 · end of year $8,300,580

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $631,615 · end of year $768,942

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $19,560

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $9,449,142 · end of year $9,212,263

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $45,856,440 · end of year $57,051,982

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $29,576,926 · end of year $41,005,427

Mission and programs · 2024

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 CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O] 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."

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO EXPOSE ABUSES OF POWER AND BETRAYALS OF THE PUBLIC TRUST. [SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O] BY GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS, USING THE MORAL FORCE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM TO SPUR REFORM THROUGH THE SUSTAINED SPOTLIGHTING OF WRONGDOING.

  • PROPUBLICA IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT NEWSROOM THAT PRODUCES INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. WE USE IMPACT AS A MEASURE OF SUCCESS AND FOCUS ON SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS THAT DEFY EASY, SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS. WE DO THIS IN AN ENTIRELY NON-PARTISAN AND NON-IDEOLOGICAL MANNER, ADHERING TO THE STRICTEST STANDARDS OF JOURNALISTIC IMPARTIALITY. OUR FORMAL 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. OUR REPORTING HAS EMPOWERED READERS, CHANGED LAWS AND POLICIES AND HELPED BRING BAD ACTORS TO JUSTICE.[SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O]WE PUBLISH DEEPLY REPORTED AND IMPACTFUL INVESTIGATIONS AT THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVEL FOCUSED ON DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY, HEALTH CARE, CIVIL RIGHTS, EDUCATION, THE ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, IMMIGRATION, HOUSING, RACIAL JUSTICE AND MORE; BUILD DATABASES AND TOOLS TO GIVE USERS INFORMATION TO MAKE MORE INFORMED CHOICES AND DIVE DEEPER INTO OUR REPORTING; AND EXPLORE NEW AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO REPORT AND DISSEMINATE OUR JOURNALISM TO REACH DIVERSE AUDIENCES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. PROPUBLICA WAS FOUNDED IN 2008 TO ADDRESS A BROAD DECLINE IN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AMID THE COLLAPSE OF THE BUSINESS MODEL THAT HAD SUPPORTED AMERICAN JOURNALISM FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. A GROWING NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO RELIABLE, FACT-BASED REPORTING, PARTICULARLY ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTING, AND FILLING THIS GAP IS CRUCIAL TO OUR MISSION. THROUGH OUR LOCAL INITIATIVES, PROPUBLICA SUPPORTS A GROWING NETWORK OF LOCAL JOURNALISTS REPORTING ON AND FROM COMMUNITIES WHERE ACCOUNTABILITY JOURNALISM IS SCARCE. WE EMPLOY STAFF REPORTERS ON THE GROUND IN OUR REGIONAL HUBS (IN THE SOUTH, SOUTHWEST, TEXAS, NORTHWEST AND MIDWEST). WE EXPANDED OUR WASHINGTON, DC BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES. AND THROUGH OUR LOCAL REPORTING NETWORK PARTNERSHIPS, WE ARE BUILDING CAPACITY IN A GROWING NETWORK OF LOCAL NEWSROOMS AROUND THE COUNTRY. IN 2024, PROPUBLICA'S REPORTING ON MULTIPLE STORIES SPOTLIGHTED THE SYSTEMIC INEQUALITIES, POLICY FAILURES AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES THAT PERVADE AMERICA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. IN OUR "LIFE OF THE MOTHER" SERIES, REPORTERS REPEATEDLY UNCOVERED THE HEARTBREAKING REALITIES OF RESTRICTIVE ABORTION LAWS, BREAKING STORY AFTER STORY THAT LAID BARE THEIR LIFE-THREATENING CONSEQUENCES AND SPARKING CALLS FOR CHANGE. "AMERICA'S MENTAL BARRIER" EXPOSED THE SYSTEMIC OBSTACLES PREVENTING MILLIONS OF AMERICANS FROM ACCESSING ESSENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE. AND "UNCOVERED" REVEALED HOW HEALTH INSURERS SYSTEMATICALLY DENY COVERAGE FOR CRITICAL TREATMENTS AND PRIORITIZE COST SAVINGS OVER PATIENT CARE. BY SPOTLIGHTING THESE FAILURES, OUR REPORTING FORCED A RECKONING WITH AN INSURANCE SYSTEM THAT TOO OFTEN PRIORITIZES PROFITS OVER PEOPLE. MANY OF THESE STORIES SPURRED ACTION, WITH REGULATORS INTRODUCING REFORMS AND LAWMAKERS TAKING STEPS TO ADDRESS THE INJUSTICES WE EXPOSED.WE WERE ALSO DEEPLY HONORED TO WIN THE 2024 PULITZER PRIZE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE FOR OUR INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE SUPREME COURT THAT SHINED AN UNPRECEDENTED SPOTLIGHT ON INFLUENCE AND ETHICS AT THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT. THROUGH OUR "FRIENDS OF THE COURT" SERIES, PROPUBLICA REPORTERS BROUGHT RENEWED AND RIGOROUS ATTENTION TO THIS INCREDIBLY CONSEQUENTIAL AND RELATIVELY UNDERSCRUTINIZED BRANCH OF OUR DEMOCRACY. OUR REPORTING EXPOSED THE MOST SERIOUS ETHICAL SCANDAL IN THE MODERN HISTORY OF THE COURT AND IT COMPELLED NEW AVENUES FOR ACCOUNTABILITY. PROMPTED BY OUR REPORTING, THE SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED THE FIRST ETHICS CODE IN ITS 235-YEAR HISTORY. AS THIS SERIES SHOWS, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING CAN HOLD TO ACCOUNT THE HIGHEST ECHELONS OF POWER, EXPOSE CORRUPTION AND SPUR CHANGE.

    Expenses $36,546,945 · Grants $1,208,606 · Revenue $194,440

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • PAUL SAGAN

    CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • CLAIRE BERNARD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • TOMIKO BROWN-NAGIN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARK COLODNY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • STEVE DAETZ

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANGELA FILO

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • HENRY LOUIS GATES JR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CLAIRE HOFFMAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANU KHOSLA

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JONATHAN KLEIN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CARRIE LOZANO

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KATIE MCGRATH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ROBERT CS MONKS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JAMES M STONE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CHARLES F WHITAKER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • STEPHEN ENGELBERG

    CO-CEO & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

    Total calculated
    $518,182
    From this org
    $459,331
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $58,851
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $452,473
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $6,858
    Deferred
    $17,250
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,601
    Filer's total
    $518,182

  • ROBIN SPARKMAN PRESIDENT

    CO-CEO & TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $499,645
    From this org
    $440,773
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $58,872
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $438,354
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $2,419
    Deferred
    $17,250
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,622
    Filer's total
    $499,645

  • RAGAN RHYNE

    SVP, DEVELOPMENT & SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $372,090
    From this org
    $352,336
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,754
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $351,526
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $810
    Deferred
    $17,102
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,652
    Filer's total
    $372,090

  • STEPHANIE LITTLE CHIEF

    FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $332,341
    From this org
    $276,128
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $56,213
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $275,318
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $810
    Deferred
    $14,392
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,821
    Filer's total
    $332,341

  • JEREMY KUTNER

    GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $311,106
    From this org
    $267,255
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $43,851
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $266,715
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $540
    Deferred
    $13,859
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,992
    Filer's total
    $311,106

  • TYSON EVANS

    CHIEF PRODUCT AND BRAND OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $297,480
    From this org
    $237,998
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $59,482
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $237,459
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $539
    Deferred
    $12,793
    Nontaxable benefits
    $46,689
    Filer's total
    $297,480

  • CHARLES ORNSTEIN

    MANAGING EDITOR, LOCAL

    Total calculated
    $369,540
    From this org
    $312,496
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $57,044
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $311,254
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,242
    Deferred
    $16,223
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,821
    Filer's total
    $369,540

  • TRACY WEBER

    MANAGING EDITOR

    Total calculated
    $348,717
    From this org
    $307,183
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,534
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $303,619
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $3,564
    Deferred
    $15,601
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,933
    Filer's total
    $348,717

  • GINGER THOMPSON

    CHIEF OF CORRESPONDENTS

    Total calculated
    $302,734
    From this org
    $277,543
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,191
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $274,038
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $3,505
    Deferred
    $11,687
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,504
    Filer's total
    $302,734

  • JESSE EISINGER

    SENIOR EDITOR & REPORTER

    Total calculated
    $324,480
    From this org
    $271,857
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $52,623
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $270,615
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,242
    Deferred
    $14,072
    Nontaxable benefits
    $38,551
    Filer's total
    $324,480

  • ALEXANDRA ZAYAS

    DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

    Total calculated
    $289,966
    From this org
    $235,805
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $54,161
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $235,278
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $527
    Deferred
    $12,419
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,742
    Filer's total
    $289,966

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
22 September 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202523189349307912

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