A nonpartisan research foundation

Money and power are inseparable.
They shouldn't be hidden.

Representative democracy runs on an informed citizenry. Every citizen should be able to ask one question, and get an answer: whom does my representative serve?

As long as government picks economic winners and losers, money will affect our politics regardless of the law. Transparency is the best medicine.

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North Capitol Street at night, seen from an overpass: long-exposure headlight and taillight trails running toward the lit dome of the United States Capitol in the distance. — PHOTO: CREDIT TK

What we do.

Platform

Hidden Levers

A research tool to explore the intersection of money, power, and influence. The "Moneyball" of political finance.

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Forthcoming

News & analysis

Data-driven reporting and investigations.

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2027

Fellowships

For data scientists, journalists, and academic researchers.

About the program ☞︎

Giving every citizen the power to ask their own questions.

Investigative journalism is on the decline. Power can corrupt. Accountability starts by asking questions and discovering the truth.

−79%

Newspaper employment

2000–2024 · BLS †
40 → 7.8

Local journalists per 100,000 residents, 2002 → 2026

Muck Rack Local Journalist Index, 2026 ‡
1,000+

U.S. counties — one in three — without a single full-time local journalist

MUCK RACK LOCAL JOURNALIST INDEX, 2025 §

⁂

In the face of doubt, openness prevails.