Hi Reader,
ProPublica’s fall member drive begins today. For the next two weeks, we’ll be checking in with you, explaining how we operate as a newsroom, highlighting some of our best stories and hopefully convincing you to join us with a donation to support our critical work.
In many ways, 2025 has been unprecedented. Major news is breaking constantly as President Donald Trump’s second administration implements its agenda — with significant consequences for federal agencies, employees and contractors, and the communities they serve. How our government works, who it works for and how corporations are held accountable are all in flux. In a changing political landscape that often feels chaotic and overwhelming by design, investigative journalism is a public service that we are marshaling every resource to provide. Take a look at some recent work from our newsroom:
This administration’s actions may be unprecedented, but ProPublica stands ready to meet the moment. Since we launched 17 years ago, we have closely covered the actions of the federal government, from disaster rebuilding programs that inadvertently punished poor people to the failings of regulators to curb the presence of formaldehyde even though it causes more cancer than any other toxic air pollutant. As we have done for each presidential administration since our founding, our reporters try to answer the fundamental questions about new government policies: Who is benefiting? Who is suffering? What are the unintended consequences?
As someone who values ProPublica’s journalism and its impact, I’m asking you today to invest more deeply in this work by making a donation of any amount. With a gift to ProPublica, you’ll be joining over 80,000 members who help power our journalism and the real-world change it creates. Your support will immediately be put to good use, paying for the investigations we’re knee-deep in right now.
There is a critical need for more independent, investigative journalism — the kind that demands accountability, protects the vulnerable and ensures that powerful institutions serve the public, not their own interests. It’s the kind of journalism we have been producing for nearly two decades. Our work is entirely paid for by donations from people like you. ProPublica has no shareholders, corporate interests or government contracts to protect. Stand with us.
Thanks so much,
Jill Shepherd
Proud ProPublican
