Ways to Give and FAQ

Thank you for considering a gift to support InvestigateWest and its team of hard-working reporters.

Donations of any size make a difference — and also make you a member of InvestigateWest’s membership network. Below, you will learn more about the different ways you can support local news reporting that drives policy and change across the Pacific Northwest.

Give online: This is the easiest way to give. (We use Stripe to securely process donations.) Donate here.

Donate by mail: If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to “InvestigateWest” with your name, full address, email or telephone number. Mail it to: InvestigateWest, PO Box 9574, Seattle, WA 98109

Give via a donor-advised fund: Request a grant distribution through your DAF sponsor. Be sure to include InvestigateWest's EIN #27-0170663. You can also designate InvestigateWest as a beneficiary.
Mailing Instructions:
InvestigateWest
EIN #27-0170663
PO Box 9574
Seattle, WA 98109

Give stocks or securities: When you're ready, ask your broker to transfer shares. InvestigateWest's ETRADE account number is 151478214 and the Depository Trust Company (DTC) code for ETRADE is 0385. Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is #: 27-0170663.

NOTE: Stock transfers do not include donor information, so please inform Lynnie McIlvain, our development director, about the transfer to ensure you receive proper credit for your gift. Reach her at lynnie@investigatewest.org.

Planned giving: You might also consider InvestigateWest in your estate plans, so you can ensure your dedication to a well-informed, active, and equitable society lives on. For more details on legacy giving, please reach out to Lynnie McIlvain, our development director, at lynnie@investigatewest.org. And if you choose to include InvestigateWest in your plans, please let us know — we’d be honored to recognize your generosity and keep you updated on the difference your support makes. Explore planned giving options.

Six Reasons to Support InvestigateWest

1. Investigative journalism drives real-world change
InvestigateWest’s core mission is to produce investigative journalism that leads to tangible, policy-driven results. Since its founding in 2009, our investigative reporting has led to the passage of a dozen new state laws, improving protections for workers, the environment, and vulnerable children.

2. The Northwest needs its own watchdog
As local news outlets struggle to maintain investigative coverage, InvestigateWest fills a crucial gap by holding power accountable across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Its investigative focus ensures that local and regional governments, corporations, and institutions are closely scrutinized.

3. We're an independent nonprofit focused on public good
InvestigateWest operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, meaning our focus is on serving the public interest, not on chasing profits or clicks. Donations support deep-dive, impactful journalism that is free for the public and available for other news outlets to republish, ensuring maximum reach and societal benefit.

4. We strive to fill critical gaps in coverage of underrepresented communities
InvestigateWest is deeply committed to covering communities that are often overlooked by mainstream media, including Indigenous populations, migrant laborers, and rural communities. Our reporting ensures that these communities’ challenges and injustices are brought to light. In 2024, we hired reporters dedicated to covering Indigenous affairs and Spanish-speaking rural communities.

5. A strong local/regional focus, and national reach
While InvestigateWest is deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest, its stories often have broader, national impact. Whether it's exposing environmental dangers, addressing climate change policy, or revealing inequities in the justice system, InvestigateWest’s work resonates far beyond its region. For example, InvestigateWest’s work on the buried federal Supergrid study was cited in congressional hearings, leading to the release of critical data related to national energy infrastructure.

6. You're investing in the future of investigative journalism
Supporting InvestigateWest means supporting the future of investigative journalism in the region. As local news outlets face downsizing and closures, InvestigateWest is growing, hiring new reporters, expanding its editorial team, and training the next generation of investigative journalists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a thank-you note?
Yes! All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged with an end-of-year thank-you note (if you provide your mailing address) and/or a personal email.

How can my company or business support InvestigateWest?
We love matching donations! We’re happy to help you fill out the paperwork, which should be easily provided by your company’s human resources department. Once you have it, feel free to email Lynnie McIlvain, our development director, at lynnie@investigatewest.org for assistance completing it.

If you're a business, you can also contact Lynnie to discuss business sponsorship opportunities.

Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. InvestigateWest is a nonprofit corporation and is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code. Contributions from U.S. taxpayers are deductible.

How do I change my membership?
You can upgrade, change, or cancel your membership at any time. Simply contact our development director at lynnie@investigatewest.org, and we’ll take care of it for you.

As a donor, do I get a say in the stories you write?
In short, no. InvestigateWest’s policy on financial support is designed to protect the integrity of our newsroom and our reporters. That said, we welcome tips from everyone, donor or not.

What if I still have questions?
Email Lynnie McIlvain, our development director, at lynnie@investigatewest.org.