OpenSecrets and the National Institute on Money in Politics: A History of Campaign Finance Tracking
Transparency in political funding is essential for a functioning democracy. For decades, two primary organizations—the Center for Responsive Politics and the National Institute on Money in Politics—have worked to track the flow of money in U.S. elections, transforming dense government records into accessible data for the public.
The Center for Responsive Politics
Founded in 1983, the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) was the result of a bipartisan effort by two retired U.S. Senators: Frank Church (a Democrat from Idaho) and Hugh Scott (a Republican from Pennsylvania). The duo launched a "money-in-politics" project aimed at analyzing how financial resources influence electoral outcomes.
In the early years, this research was published in large, printed volumes. Their seminal 1988 book, Spending in Congressional Elections: A Never-Ending Spiral, examined spending patterns from 1974 to 1986, including soft money (funds raised outside the limits and prohibitions of federal campaign finance law) contributions across five states.
The organization transitioned to digital dissemination in 1990, and in 1996, it launched OpenSecrets.org, a website that made campaign finance data readily available to the general public.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The National Institute on Money in Politics
While the CRP focused on federal levels, the National Institute on Money in Politics (NIMP) emerged to address gaps in data availability. Its origins date back to 1991 with the "Money in Western Politics" project, which was funded by the MacArthur Foundation. Before this initiative, much of the relevant data was not digitized, making it difficult for researchers to access.
By 1999, three regional teams merged to establish NIMP in Helena, Montana. The organization created the Follow The Money website, a comprehensive database that compiled political funding information sourced from government disclosure agencies.
To maintain independence, NIMP did not accept government funding, relying instead on philanthropic support. This included a significant contribution of $2.3 million from the Open Society Foundations.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Founding of CRP: Established in 1983 by Senators Frank Church and Hugh Scott.
- Digital Milestone: OpenSecrets.org was launched in 1996 to increase data accessibility.
- NIMP Origins: Started as the "Money in Western Politics" project in 1991.
- NIMP Funding: Relied on philanthropy, including $2.3 million from Open Society Foundations.
- Key Publication: Spending in Congressional Elections: A Never-Ending Spiral (1988).
Organizational Leadership
A central figure in the evolution of these efforts is Sheila Krumholz. Joining the organization in 1989, Krumholz served as the research director before ascending to the role of executive director of OpenSecrets and its predecessor. She led the organization from December 2006 until December 2023.
Summary of Political Finance Organizations
| Feature | Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) | National Institute on Money in Politics (NIMP) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 1999 (Roots in 1991) |
| Key Platform | OpenSecrets.org | Follow The Money |
| Founders/Origins | Senators Frank Church & Hugh Scott | Money in Western Politics project |
| Primary Funding | Not specified | Philanthropic (e.g., MacArthur Foundation, Open Society Foundations) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Center for Responsive Politics?
The Center for Responsive Politics was founded in 1983 by retired U.S. Senators Frank Church of Idaho (Democratic Party) and Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania (Republican Party).
What is the purpose of the Follow The Money website?
The Follow The Money website, published by the National Institute on Money in Politics, compiles political funding information gathered from government disclosure agencies.
How was the National Institute on Money in Politics funded?
NIMP did not receive government funding; it relied on philanthropic efforts, including funding from the MacArthur Foundation and a $2.3 million donation from Open Society Foundations.
When did OpenSecrets.org begin operating?
The OpenSecrets.org website was launched in 1996 to make campaign finance data more readily available to the public.
Who served as the executive director of OpenSecrets until 2023?
Sheila Krumholz served as the executive director from December 2006 until December 2023, having previously worked as the research director since 1989.