Pro Publica Inc
Pro Publica Inc is a New York, New York-based public charity formed in 2007. It is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. Its 2024 grants supported participation in a local reporting network initiative and a distinguished fellows program.
Pro Publica Inc at a glance
In short: Pro Publica Inc gave $1.2M across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $49K), top state Oregon. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,166,518
- -14.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 24
- +4.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,605
- -17.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $46,500
- Total assets
- $108,058,174
- +26.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (10 of 24, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (11% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Pro Publica Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 155 Ave Of The Americas 13 Fl, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 514-5250
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Pro Publica Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Oregon Public Broadcasting ($108K). Together the top 10 received $799K.
Grant Size Distribution
129 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 129 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Pro Publica’s filing describes local reporting initiatives and partnerships with newsrooms around the country. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were reported for Oregon and Alaska (11% each), Illinois (10%), and Mississippi and Hawaii (9% each).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Pro Publica Inc open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 24 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $40K; repeat grants $55K. How we count
Medians: $47K first-time, $49K repeat.
- 54% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2021) to $1.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Public Broadcasting Portland, OR | Participation in Local Reporting Network Distinguished Fellows Program | $107,508 |
| Deep South Today Ridgeland, MS | Participation in Local Reporting Network Initiative | $105,200 |
| Honolulu Civil Beat Inc Honolulu, HI | Participation in Local Reporting Network Initiative | $99,200 |
| Illinois Press Foundation Inc Springfield, IL | Participation in Local Reporting Network Initiative | $99,200 |
| Wcij Inc DBA Wisconsin Watch Madison, WI | Participation in Local Reporting Network Initiative | $80,600 |
| Anchorage Daily News Anchorage, AK | Participation in Local Reporting Network Distinguished Fellows Program | $77,047 |
| The Seattle Times CO Seattle, WA | Participation in Local Reporting Network Distinguished Fellows Program | $64,749 |
| States Newsroom Chapel Hill, NC | Participation in Local Reporting Network Initiative | $61,693 |
| Regents of the University of Michigan DBA Michigan Radio Ann Arbor, MI | Participation in Local Reporting Network Initiative | $57,529 |
| Bangor Publishing Company DBA Bangor Daily News Bangor, ME | Participation in Local Reporting Network Initiative | $46,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In filing year 2024, grantmaking totaled $1,166,518 across 24 grants.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $108,058,174 | $64,268,632 | $45,741,720 | $1,166,518 | 24 | $2,072,959 |
| 2023 | $85,514,123 | $57,970,562 | $44,080,009 | $1,358,054 | 23 | $1,280,196 |
| 2022 | $63,355,096 | $44,530,761 | $40,322,509 | $1,634,029 | 26 | $590,894 |
| 2021 | $60,782,681 | $36,005,300 | $34,153,121 | $1,160,056 | 25 | $162,432 |
| 2020 | $58,666,359 | $37,513,092 | $30,208,192 | $1,577,740 | 31 | $146,510 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Pro Publica states that its mission is to expose abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business, and other institutions through investigative journalism, with the aim of spurring reform. Its reporting covers subjects including democracy and government accountability, health care, civil rights, education, the environment, business, criminal justice, immigration, housing, and racial justice. The organization also describes supporting a growing network of local journalists and local newsrooms through its local initiatives and reporting-network partnerships.
The 2024 grants included support for news and public-broadcasting organizations. Among the grantees, Oregon Public Broadcasting describes its mission as connecting people across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest through shared stories. Honolulu Civil Beat says it works to cultivate an informed body of citizens through investigative and watchdog journalism and other reporting. WCIJ Inc, doing business as Wisconsin Watch, says its mission is to increase the quality, quantity, and understanding of investigative journalism to foster an informed citizenry and strengthen democracy. These are the grantees’ stated missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Pro Publica reported 24 grants totaling $1,166,518. Grant amounts ranged from $8,267 to $107,508, with a median of $46,500. The largest listed grants included $107,508 to Oregon Public Broadcasting for participation in the Local Reporting Network Distinguished Fellows Program; $105,200 to Deep South Today and $99,200 each to Honolulu Civil Beat and the Illinois Press Foundation for participation in the Local Reporting Network initiative; and $80,600 to WCIJ Inc, doing business as Wisconsin Watch, for participation in that initiative. Other listed recipients included Anchorage Daily News ($77,047), The Seattle Times Co. ($64,749), States Newsroom ($61,693), and Regents of the University of Michigan, doing business as Michigan Radio ($57,529).
No application process or deadline is stated in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Paul Sagan as chairman. Directors listed are Claire Bernard, Tomiko Brown-Nagin, Mark Colodny, Steve Daetz, Angela Filo, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Claire Hoffman, Anu Khosla, and Jonathan Klein.
Pro Publica Inc is led by Stephen Engelberg, Co-Ceo & Editor-In-Chief on every filing since 2020; 11 of 26 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephen Engelberg
Co-Ceo & Editor-In-Chief
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$418K (2020) → $459K (2024)
Robin Sparkman President
Co-Ceo & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$133K (2021) → $441K (2024)
Paul Sagan
Chairman
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angela Filo
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claire Bernard
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claire Hoffman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James M. Stone
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie McGrath
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Colodny
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Cs Monks
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Daetz
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anu Khosla
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Lozano
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tomiko Brown-Nagin
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles F. Whitaker
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Klein
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Ornstein
Managing Editor & Local
Senior Editor → Managing Editor & Local, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$241K (2020) → $312K (2024)
Jesse Eisinger
Senior Editor & Reporter
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$243K (2020) → $272K (2024)
Tracy Weber
Managing Editor
Deputy Managing Editor → Managing Editor, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$233K (2020) → $307K (2024)
Ginger Thompson
Chief of Correspondents
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$222K (2021) → $278K (2024)
Jeremy Kutner
General Counsel
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$214K (2021) → $267K (2024)
Ragan Rhyne
Senior Vice President, Development & Secretary
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$309K (2021) → $352K (2024)
Stephanie Little Chief
Financial & Administrative Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$253K (2022) → $276K (2024)
Tyson Evans
Chief Product & Brand Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$228K (2023) → $238K (2024)
Alexandra Zayas
Deputy Managing Editor
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$236K (2024)
Former officers (10)
- Former: Ronald Olson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Thomas Christian Miller (2023) — Reporter
- Former: Robin Fields (2020–2022) — Managing Editor
- Former: Paul E. Steiger (2020–2021) — Executive Chairman
- Former: Richard Tofel President (2020–2021) — Co-Ceo & Treasurer
- Former: S. Donald Sussman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Stephanie Little (2021) — Vice President, Finance & Administration
- Former: Danielle Allen (2020) — Director
- Former: Joseph Sexton (2020) — Senior Editor
- Former: Ragan Rhyne Vice President Of (2020) — Development & Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $459K, to Stephen Engelberg (Co-CEO & Editor-In-Chief). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Pro Publica Inc
How much does Pro Publica Inc give each year?
Pro Publica Inc gave $1.2M across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 23 grants.
What is Pro Publica Inc's typical grant size?
Pro Publica Inc's median grant in 2024 was $46,500, and its average grant was $48,605, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Pro Publica Inc that year got $40K on average.
Where does Pro Publica Inc give grants?
Pro Publica Inc's top state is Oregon, with 11% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Alaska (11%) and Illinois (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (2 grants).
Does Pro Publica Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 24 grants with a stated purpose on Pro Publica Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Participation in Local Reporting Network Initiative" (21 grants).
Who are Pro Publica Inc's largest grantees?
Pro Publica Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Oregon Public Broadcasting ($107,508), Deep South Today ($105,200) and Honolulu Civil Beat Inc ($99,200), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Pro Publica Inc?
Pro Publica Inc reported $108.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $64.3M.
What does Pro Publica Inc fund?
Pro Publica states that its mission is to expose abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business, and other institutions through investigative journalism, with the aim of spurring reform. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Pro Publica Inc?
Pro Publica Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Pro Publica Inc's EIN?
Pro Publica Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 14-2007220. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 25, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Pro Publica Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Pro Publica Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/pro-publica-inc-morg_b109c84d3819444ba2b10a70a7a9bd1c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_142007220_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Pro Publica Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/pro-publica-inc-morg_b109c84d3819444ba2b10a70a7a9bd1c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Pro Publica Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Pro Publica Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?