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OpenSecrets
| OpenSecrets | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Affiliation: | Nonpartisan |
| Top official: | Hilary Braseth, Executive Director |
| Founder(s): | Frank Church, Hugh Scott, Peter Fenn and Ellen Miller |
| Year founded: | 1983 |
| Website: | Official website |
| Promoted policies | |
| Campaign finance regulation | |
| Budget | |
| 2013: | $1,726,112 |
| 2012: | $1,923,378 |
| 2011: | $1,446,658 |
| 2010: | $444,575 |
OpenSecrets (OS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that tracks money in American politics through its website OpenSecrets.org. The organization assembles and publishes data on campaign finance, political contributions, special interest group spending, lobbying and the personal finances of government officials. The organization also publishes regular analytical reports on political finance and supports others writing about the subject.[1]
Background
U.S. Sens. Frank Church (D-Idaho) and Hugh Scott (R-Penn.) founded the organization in 1983 as "a non-partisan research and public education institute focusing on making Congress more responsive to the American people."[2] Founded as the Center for Responsive Politics, the organization rebranded to OpenSecrets in 2021.[3]
As of September 2025, the organization's mission was "to serve as the trusted authority on money in American politics. We pursue our mission by providing comprehensive and reliable data, analysis and tools for policymakers, storytellers and citizens. Our vision is for Americans to use data on money in politics to create a more vibrant, representative and responsive democracy."[1]
Leadership
As of September 2025, the following individuals held positions of leadership at OpenSecrets:[4]
- Hilary Braseth, executive director
- Brendan Glavin, director of insights
- David Meyers, director of communications and marketing
- Jacob Hileman, information technology director
- Victoria Sorg, director of revenue and external partnerships
As of September 2025, the following individuals sat on the board of directors at OpenSecrets:[5]
- Daniel Doktori, chairman
- Jennifer N. Victor, vice chairwoman
- John A. Jenkins, treasurer
- Jeff Malachowsky, secretary
- Nekole "Nick" Brandis
- Keri Dogan
- Mark Hansen
- Michael J. Malbin
- Geri D. Palast
- Ann M. Ravel
Work and activities
Legislative and policy work
OpenData Initiative
OS launched the "OpenData Initiative" in 2009 to make its data archives more widely available and easier to use. OpenSecrets.org features online software for analyzing and presenting OS data as well as tools for developers and content producers. All of the center's data is free to download and use for non-commercial purposes, as long as the organization is properly credited.[6]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope. Know of one we missed? Click here to let us know.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of OpenSecrets' revenues and expenses from 2001 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | $0.6 million | $1.4 million |
| 2002 | $0.9 million | $1.3 million |
| 2003 | $1.1 million | $1.2 million |
| 2004 | $1.2 million | $1.1 million |
| 2005 | $1.3 million | $1.1 million |
| 2006 | $1.3 million | $1.3 million |
| 2007 | $1.1 million | $1.4 million |
| 2008 | $1.5 million | $1.5 million |
| 2009 | $1.9 million | $1.2 million |
| 2010 | $0.4 million | $1.2 million |
| 2011 | $1.4 million | $1.3 million |
| 2012 | $1.9 million | $1.3 million |
| 2013 | $1.7 million | $1.4 million |
| 2014 | $1.5 million | $1.7 million |
| 2015 | $2.0 million | $1.8 million |
| 2016 | $2.8 million | $2.1 million |
| 2017 | $1.4 million | $2.0 million |
| 2018 | $1.1 million | $2.2 million |
| 2019 | $3.1 million | $2.0 million |
| 2020 | $1.5 million | $2.2 million |
| 2021 | $6.5 million | $3.5 million |
| 2022 | $5.0 million | $4.0 million |
| 2023 | $2.5 million | $4.3 million |
See also
External links
- OpenSecrets official website
- OpenSecrets on X
- OpenSecrets on Facebook
- OpenSecrets on Instagram
- OpenSecrets on Threads
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 OpenSecrets.org, "Our Vision and Mission," accessed September 9, 2025
- ↑ The College of William & Mary Law School, "Money in Politics and the Right to Vote: A New Threat to Our Democracy (Again)," accessed September 9, 2025
- ↑ ProPublica, "OpenSecrets 2021 Full Filing," accessed September 9, 2025
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Our Team," accessed September 9, 2025
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Board of Directors," accessed September 9, 2025
- ↑ CRP, "Create tools to empower citizens," accessed June 29, 2015
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