Here at OpenSecrets.org, we provide breakdowns of data reported by outside spending groups to the Federal Election Commission (see menu at left). We have a separate section devoted to dark money groups – politically active nonprofits that aren't required to publicly disclose their donors, unlike virtually every other organization spending money to affect the outcomes of federal elections. Through a dedicated project, we have dug up data on the donors of more than $1 billion – and counting – since 2008.
Show More Information About Outside Spending
Outside Spending by Cycle, Excluding Party Committees
Political Nonprofits Spending, by Type
Totals only include political spending from nonprofit treasuries that is reported to the FEC
Donor Disclosure Analysis of Outside Spending 1990 - 2016
Outside Spending
250 donors shelled out $100k or more for Trump’s inauguration, providing 91% of funds
April 19, 2017 | What does it take to stage a welcome-to-the-neighborhood blowout? President Trump raised $107 million for his inaugural festivities, shattering previous records. The former titleholder, Barack Obama, raised half that, $53.2 million, in 2009 — though Obama imposed far stricter limits on amounts and sources of donations. At least 47 people or organizations gave $1 million or…
In the service of social welfare, Democratic operatives get IRS seal of approval
April 19, 2017 | Rebecca Lambe, J.B. Poersch and Rodell Mollineau aren’t names that anybody who’s familiar with national Democratic politics would likely associate with nonpartisan social welfare activity. Especially not at the height of election season. Lambe, the chief political strategist and campaign manager for former Sen. Harry Reid, the wily Senate Democratic leader, was described by the…
Why no more than a dribble of outside spending in Kansas?
April 18, 2017 | Last week, Kansas’ 4th Congressional District nearly produced the first shocking election result of the Trump era. The underfunded and unheralded campaign of Democrat James Thompson came within 8,195 votes of defeating Republican Ron Estes in a district that Trump won by 27 percentage points. The recriminations began almost immediately on both sides, with Democrats…
