Our commitment to openness about how we operate and how we are funded
PublicProof is a nonpartisan fact-checking publication dedicated to establishing the truth in political claims and public discourse. We investigate viral narratives, public statements, and widely shared media to determine what the available evidence actually supports.
PublicProof is funded almost entirely through programmatic digital advertising revenue and small financial contributions. We also receive compensation through licensing arrangements with media publishers and other companies that republish or distribute our content.
No. Advertisers and vendors have no contact with our editorial staff and play no role whatsoever in determining the content we research, write, or publish. Editorial decisions are made independently and solely by our journalists and editors.
No. PublicProof does not accept political advertising of any kind. We also do not accept funding from political parties, political campaigns, or political advocacy organizations of any affiliation.
We accept direct financial contributions of up to $1,000 from individual readers and nonpartisan organizations. These contributions support our editorial mission and are not tied to any editorial outcome or coverage decision.
The majority of our operating budget goes toward compensating our staff and maintaining the technical infrastructure that supports our work. The remainder covers standard operating costs including legal services and general overhead.
The following table shows how cash flow from PublicProof's operations was allocated during CY 2025:
| Expense Category | Share of Expenditure |
|---|---|
| Staff salaries, benefits, and compensation | 54% |
| Legal counsel, compliance, and regulatory expenses | 27% |
| Technical infrastructure, platform development, consulting, and digital advertising operations | 22% |
| General overhead and miscellaneous expenses (including equipment, travel, professional development, and interest obligations) | 12% |
Our financial reports, donation records, and detailed expense documentation are available for download. These documents provide a comprehensive account of our funding sources and how resources were used.