Pro Publica Inc is an independent, nonprofit investigative journalism organization based in New York City. Founded in 2007, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since February 2008. The organization employs approximately 209 full-time staff members across its headquarters in Manhattan and regional reporting hubs located in the Midwest, South, Southwest, and Northwest regions of the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$108.1M
+26.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
-14.1% YoY
Grant Count
24
+4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
-17.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
ProPublica's mission is to expose abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business, and other institutions, using investigative journalism to spur reform through sustained spotlighting of wrongdoing. The organization produces investigative reporting across numerous platforms and issue areas including government and politics, business, criminal justice, the environment, education, health care, immigration, and technology.
The organization's journalism has contributed to the passage of new laws, reversals of harmful policies and practices, and accountability for leaders across all levels of government. ProPublica's reporting has prompted historic reforms, including the Supreme Court's adoption of its first-ever code of conduct in its 235-year history, following investigative stories revealing financial ties between justices and major donors.
Grantmaking
ProPublica receives grants from major foundations to support its investigative journalism work. The MacArthur Foundation has awarded ProPublica eight grants totaling $8,050,000 between 2007 and 2025, with the most recent grant of $1,000,000 awarded in 2025 for general operating support.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Revenue: $64.3 million
- Total Expenses: $45.7 million
- Total Assets: $108 million
- Total Liabilities: $10 million
Prior Year Data (2023):
- Total Revenue: $57,970,562
- Total Expenses: $44,080,009
- Total Assets: $85,514,123
The organization maintains a strong financial position with revenues exceeding expenses and substantial asset reserves.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $108,058,174 | $85,514,123 | $63,355,096 |
| Revenue | $64,268,632 | $57,970,562 | $44,530,761 |
| Expenses | $45,741,720 | $44,080,009 | $40,322,509 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,072,959 | $1,280,196 | $590,894 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
129 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Oregon Public Broadcasting ($107,508), Deep South Today ($105,200), Honolulu Civil Beat Inc ($99,200).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Paul Steiger - Executive Chairman
- Robin Sparkman - President
- Stephen Engelberg - Editor-in-Chief
- Robin Fields - Managing Editor
- Charles Ornstein - Managing Editor, Local
- Herbert Sandler - Founding Chairman
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL SAGAN | CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| CLAIRE BERNARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOMIKO BROWN-NAGIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK COLODNY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE DAETZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANGELA FILO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HENRY LOUIS GATES JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CLAIRE HOFFMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANU KHOSLA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN KLEIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CARRIE LOZANO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATIE MCGRATH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT CS MONKS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES M STONE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHARLES F WHITAKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN ENGELBERG | CO-CEO & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | 40 | $459,331 |
| ROBIN SPARKMAN PRESIDENT | CO-CEO & TREASURER | 40 | $440,773 |
| RAGAN RHYNE | SVP, DEVELOPMENT & SECRETARY | 40 | $352,336 |
| STEPHANIE LITTLE CHIEF | FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER | 40 | $276,128 |
| JEREMY KUTNER | GENERAL COUNSEL | 40 | $267,255 |
| TYSON EVANS | CHIEF PRODUCT AND BRAND OFFICER | 40 | $237,998 |
| CHARLES ORNSTEIN | MANAGING EDITOR, LOCAL | 40 | $312,496 |
| TRACY WEBER | MANAGING EDITOR | 40 | $307,183 |
| GINGER THOMPSON | CHIEF OF CORRESPONDENTS | 40 | $277,543 |
| JESSE EISINGER | SENIOR EDITOR & REPORTER | 40 | $271,857 |
| ALEXANDRA ZAYAS | DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR | 40 | $235,805 |
Contact Information
Address: 155 Avenue of the Americas, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-514-5250
Development Contact: (917) 512-0252
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.propublica.org
Tax ID (EIN): 14-2007220
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pro Publica Inc fund?
ProPublica's mission is to expose abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business, and other institutions, using investigative journalism to spur reform through sustained spotlighting of wrongdoing. The organization produces investigative reporting across numerous platforms and issue areas including government and politics, business, criminal justice, the environment, education, health care, immigration, and technology. The organization's journalism has contributed to …
How do I apply for a grant from Pro Publica Inc?
ProPublica receives grants from major foundations to support its investigative journalism work. The MacArthur Foundation has awarded ProPublica eight grants totaling $8,050,000 between 2007 and 2025, with the most recent grant of $1,000,000 awarded in 2025 for general operating support. The organization also operates the Local Reporting Network program, a partnership between ProPublica and local newsrooms across the country.
What size grants does Pro Publica Inc award?
In 2024, Pro Publica Inc awarded 24 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $49K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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