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Reader-Funded. Editorially Independent.

Independent
Journalism
Costs
Money.

Spy has no corporate owner and no billionaire backer. We are funded by readers and foundations who believe in journalism that answers to the public, not to power. Every contribution goes directly into reporting.

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Why It Matters

What Your Support
Actually Pays For

Investigative journalist's desk with FOIA documents and research materials
Every contribution funds real investigative work

Investigative journalism is resource-intensive. A single investigation can take weeks of reporter time, generate hundreds of freedom of information requests, and require legal review before publication. Without reader support, that work does not happen.

  • 01 Reporter time on investigations that take weeks, not hours.
  • 02 Freedom of information requests, data analysis, and document verification.
  • 03 Legal review to ensure we can publish without being silenced by defamation threats.
  • 04 Secure infrastructure to protect our sources and our communications.
  • 05 Editorial independence from any single funder's agenda.
Full Transparency

We Publish Where
Every Penny
Comes From

Transparency about funding is not optional for us. It is a condition of the trust our readers and sources place in us. We publish a full breakdown of our funding annually, including the names of foundations and the terms of any grants.

No donor, individual or institutional, has any editorial rights. That condition is written into every funding agreement we sign.

When our funding sources change, we say so. When a grant ends, we report it. This is the standard we hold ourselves to because accountability in journalism begins with accounting for ourselves.

Annual Funding Breakdown 2024
Reader Contributions 54%
Foundation Grants 31%
Independent Trusts 11%
Events and Other 4%
Support Options

Three Ways to Back
Independent Reporting

Choose the level of support that works for you. Every contribution, at any level, makes a difference to what we can investigate.

01

One-Off Contribution

A single payment that funds a specific stage of an investigation, from document filing to legal review. No commitment required. Every amount helps.

Make a Contribution
02

Regular Reader Support

A monthly amount that gives us the stable income to plan longer investigations without chasing short-term funding. The most valuable form of support we receive.

Become a Regular Supporter
03

Institutional or Foundation Grant

If you represent a foundation aligned with press freedom or public interest journalism, we would welcome a conversation about a longer-term partnership.

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Why It Counts

Stand Behind the
Journalism That
Stands Up to Power

The stories that matter most are the ones that are hardest to publish. Your support is what makes them possible. Call us if you have questions about how your contribution is used.

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54%
of our funding comes directly from readers like you. No corporate backer matches or conditions it.
100%
of every contribution goes into reporting, not administrative overhead or shareholder returns.
0
donors hold any editorial rights. That condition is non-negotiable and written into every agreement.
Questions

Common Questions

What readers and foundations ask us most often before they decide to support our work.

Do donors have any say over what Spy investigates?
No donor, individual or institutional, has any editorial rights. That condition is written into every funding agreement we sign. No funder has ever attempted to influence a story, and any such attempt would be reported publicly as a matter of editorial policy.
How do I know how my contribution is actually used?
We publish a full breakdown of our funding annually, including the names of foundations and the terms of any grants. That report is available on our About page. Reader contributions are allocated directly to reporter time, FOIA filing fees, legal costs, and secure infrastructure. Nothing goes to executive bonuses or advertising costs.
Can a foundation or institution support Spy?
Yes. If you represent a foundation aligned with press freedom, accountability journalism, or public interest reporting, we welcome a conversation. We are happy to share our editorial policy, our funding agreement terms, and our track record. Contact us directly to discuss.
Is my contribution tax-deductible?
Depending on your jurisdiction and the legal structure of your giving, contributions to independent journalism organisations may qualify for tax relief. Contact us and we will provide the documentation your accountant or tax adviser needs to make that determination.
What happens if Spy receives money from someone whose interests we might investigate?
We conduct due diligence on all significant contributions and decline any that would create a conflict of interest or compromise our editorial independence. If a conflict emerges after a grant is accepted, we will return the funds and report the situation publicly. This has not yet arisen, but the process is documented and ready.
Get in Touch

Ready to
Support
Independent
Reporting?

Send us a message and we will get back to you within one business day with details on how to contribute, what your support funds, and how we account for it. You can also call us directly to ask any questions before you commit.

Call Us Directly +1 800 SPY NEWS
Email Us support@spyjournalism.example
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Express Interest

Tell us how you would like to support Spy and we will follow up with everything you need. All enquiries are treated with complete discretion.

We respond within one business day. No commitment required at this stage.

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