Policies and Editorial Standards

When we make mistakes, we will correct them quickly and prominently. In most cases, we will append an editor’s note to the bottom of stories indicating what changes were made to correct the initial version of the story. If the error materially affects the premise of the story or has a major impact on it, we will consider issuing more prominent corrections. Anytime an InvestigateWest staffer is informed of a potential error, they are required to report it to their editor.

If a story is factually correct but includes unclear or potentially misleading language, we will issue a clarification, adding relevant context or eliminating confusion.

We encourage you to contact us at editors@investigatewest.org if you believe we have made an error.

We seek to identify, in all instances, the people we interview and rely on for information in our stories. In rare instances, we may choose to withhold the identity of a person involved in a story when the information they provide is in the public interest, cannot be obtained otherwise, and there is a compelling reason to believe the source might suffer negative consequences, such as job loss or the revelation of deeply personal information, if identified. Editors must approve all uses of unnamed sources.

InvestigateWest's guidelines on the use of unnamed sources:

• Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible about a source’s reliability.
• Always question a source’s motives before promising anonymity. Clarify the conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
• Direct quotes from anonymous sources should be used rarely, and only when such quotes are pivotal to the story.
• At least one editor must know the specific identity of any anonymous source. This does not reflect a lack of trust between editor and reporter; it’s simply part of our diligence in this sensitive area. The reporter should routinely offer this information, or the story editor should ask.

When we attribute information to an unnamed source, we will be as transparent as possible in characterizing the source in the published story — indicating as much as we can about the source’s basis of knowledge and relationship to the subject, and clearly stating why we granted them anonymity.

InvestigateWest is committed to recognizing and honoring human differences in both our reporting and the staffing of our organization. Creating and sustaining an inclusive working environment for all individuals is vital to our future and crucial to our ability to provide the best public-service journalism for our communities. We can only produce the high-impact, citizen-oriented journalism we strive for by recognizing, welcoming, and elevating a diverse range of voices in our community, by building an inclusive and welcoming workforce, and by examining our work through a lens of equity for all people.

Our commitment to diversity reflects our understanding that the population of the Northwest comprises many identities, experiences and ways of life that deserve representation. These include race, gender identity, sexuality, ability, religion, socioeconomic status, veteran status, nationality, geographic location and other communities.

Our commitment to equity is based upon our recognition of the need to foster equal opportunity for all and the understanding that an opportunity for one person may be a barrier to another.

Our commitment to inclusion means we strive to create a workplace and to publish journalism where people of all identities feel welcome, valued, supported and heard.

Staffing and Board of Directors
As InvestigateWest has grown, we have worked to diversify our staff and leadership. The organization's board of directors adopted a diversity plan in 2021, outlining its commitment to recruiting and retaining a workforce and board that reflect the Pacific Northwest. This is a work in progress, and we are committed to continuing to advance in this area. Visit our board of directors and staff page to learn more about the backgrounds of our team.

InvestigateWest follows the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.

We are also a founding member of the Institute for Nonprofit News, which maintains membership standards around nonprofit status, donor transparency, and nonpartisan journalism. We adhere to standards of editorial independence adopted by INN as follows:

Our organization retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a strict firewall between news coverage decisions and all sources of revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services, or opinions.

We accept gifts, grants, and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Our organization also may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence over editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

Our organization will make public all donors who give a total of $1,000 or more. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s Membership Standards.

Policy on Financial Support

Overview
This policy seeks to reconcile the need for financial support with the values of InvestigateWest, the foremost of which is editorial independence. The organization fails just as surely if it loses public confidence in its integrity as it does if it becomes financially unsustainable. The policy acknowledges, too, that individuals and organizations invest in projects that further their own goals and values, directly or indirectly. Hence, the policy is organized around three types of support: support for investigative journalism in general; support for broad topical coverage; and support for specific reporting projects. Furthermore, this policy includes a section outlining the rights of InvestigateWest’s financial supporters.

The board of directors retains full authority over the Policy on Financial Support and may reject financial support for any reason to protect the journalistic and business interests of the organization. The policy pertains to both cash and in-kind donations.

InvestigateWest exercises close scrutiny when deciding who can fund, sponsor, or otherwise underwrite ongoing news coverage. InvestigateWest will accept financial support only from funders who agree to our policy of editorial independence and understand our mission to strengthen communities, engage citizens in civic life, and help set the policy agenda through powerful, independent journalism.

Like many news organizations, InvestigateWest maintains a firewall between news coverage decisions and its sources of revenue. InvestigateWest’s financial supporters have no voice in editorial decisions. All donations, sponsorships and other forms of revenue are subject to compliance with the Policy on Financial Support, including provisions for transparency, the disclosure of donors’ identities, and the prohibition on donations from political parties and elected officials. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of InvestigateWest’s funders or their products, services or opinions.

Types of Support
Independent Media
InvestigateWest will seek and accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals and organizations in any amount for the general support of InvestigateWest’s journalism. Acceptance of this support neither expresses nor implies any voice in editorial decisions beyond the broadly stated mission of independent media.

InvestigateWest will also seek and accept operational support, such as for capacity building, technology or administrative costs, and activities, such as training events, screenings, and receptions. As described elsewhere in this policy, financial supporters will have no voice in decisions regarding InvestigateWest’s operations and activities.

We expect that most gifts and grants of this type will come from foundations, organizations and individuals concerned about independent media, healthy communities, and civic engagement in the region served by InvestigateWest.

Broad Topical Coverage
InvestigateWest provides broad topical coverage of the environment, public health, government accountability, and more, for which it actively seeks financial support. To ensure that donors respond to the priorities of InvestigateWest rather than InvestigateWest responding to the agenda of donors, the board of directors will approve any new areas of topical coverage before gifts are solicited or accepted.

InvestigateWest may accept contributions from funders who agree to the following conditions:

1. Funding is tied to broad topical coverage defined by InvestigateWest but not to a particular reporting project or investigation.

2. All donations of $25,000 or more will be announced at the time of the gift or grant, and publicly acknowledged on the InvestigateWest website for at least 12 months.

Specific Reporting Projects
InvestigateWest will seek and accept gifts, grants and sponsorships to support specific reporting projects. InvestigateWest exercises the closest scrutiny when deciding who can fund, sponsor, or otherwise underwrite specific projects and will adhere to the following conditions:

1. InvestigateWest exercises full editorial control. The donor specifically cedes any right to influence or review editorial content or to restrict its distribution.

2. All funds are transferred to InvestigateWest prior to the start of the project and are not refundable.

3. All financial contributions to specific projects are transparent and publicly acknowledged with a disclaimer and a link to this Policy on Financial Support.

Rights of Financial Supporters

Upon request, every financial supporter of InvestigateWest is entitled to a full and clear written description of the arrangement, including:

• Acknowledgement of InvestigateWest’s receipt of the support.
• Public acknowledgement of the support.
• Description of how the support will be used.
• A statement whether the supporter has received anything of value from InvestigateWest in exchange for the support (as required by IRS).
• A list of key dates and deliverables, including such items as when publicity will commence and when any required progress reports will be submitted.
• Description of mutually agreed upon set of benefits, if any, for the supporter. These may include such items as naming rights, sponsorship acknowledgements and tickets to InvestigateWest events.
• Assurance that InvestigateWest will deliver on the terms of its agreement with the supporter.

Revised September 6, 2014 at 4:49 p.m. CT at SPJ’s National Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Preamble

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.

The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.

Seek Truth and Report It

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

• Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
• Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
• Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.
• Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
• Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.
• Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.
• Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted.
• Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
• Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.
• Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.
• Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
• Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.
• Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.
• Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.
• Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.
• Label advocacy and commentary.
• Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.
• Never plagiarize. Always attribute.

Minimize Harm

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

• Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
• Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.
• Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.
• Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information.
• Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.
• Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges.
• Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.

Act Independently

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

Journalists should:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
• Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.
• Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.

Be Accountable and Transparent

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

Journalists should:

• Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.
• Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.
• Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.
• Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.
• Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.

InvestigateWest operates https://www.investigatewest.org (the “site”).

This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information we receive from users of the site.

By accessing this site, you agree to be legally bound by and comply with this user agreement. By using the site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this agreement.

Information Collected Through Our Site

Log Data

Like many site operators, we collect information that your browser sends whenever you visit our site (“Log Data”).

This Log Data may include information such as your computer’s Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, browser type, browser version, the pages of our site that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages and other statistics.

Cookies

Cookies are files with a small amount of data, which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a web site and stored on your computer or mobile device.

Like many sites, we use “cookies” to collect information. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our site.

Certain pages on our site may set other third-party cookies. For example, we may embed content, such as videos, from another site that sets a cookie. While we try to minimize these third-party cookies, we can’t always control what cookies this third-party content sets.

Additionally, we may use third-party services — such as those that provide social media conveniences, measure traffic, send newsletters and facilitate donations — that may place cookies on your computer. We have no way of knowing how such services handle the resulting data internally. InvestigateWest makes no claim, nor assumes liability for the insecure submission of information via these applications.

Here are the services whose cookies you can find on investigatewest.org:

• Sharing buttons for Facebook and Twitter. These use the standard scripts provided by each company.
• Google Analytics, which we use to measure site traffic. Google Analytics gathers certain non-personally identifying information over time, such as your IP address, browser type, internet service provider, referring and exit pages, time stamp, and similar data.
• Stripe, which allows us to accept donations through our website.
• Mailchimp, which manages newsletter distributions.

Personal Data

We only collect personally identifiable information such as your name and email address when you sign up for a newsletter, donate to our organization, or otherwise submit it to us voluntarily.

We do not share your personal data with any third parties other than some common service providers, whose products use your information to help us improve our site, deliver newsletters, or allow us to offer donation opportunities.

In most cases, your data remains private and cannot be shared with anyone else.

InvestigateWest limits access to all user data for the purposes of newsletter, fundraising, and customer service only. User data is not sold to or otherwise shared with anyone not working with or for the Center.

You may unsubscribe or opt out of our email and mail communications at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” button in any email you receive from InvestigateWest, or by emailing us at services@investigatewest.org.

The security of your personal information is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100 percent secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. You provide us with this data at your own risk.

Donor Information

InvestigateWest does not share, trade, sell, or otherwise release donors’ personal information to any third parties.

Links to Other Websites

Our site may contain links to other websites that we think may be of interest to you. We have no control over these other sites or their content. You should be aware when you leave our site for another, and remember that other sites are governed by their own user agreements and privacy policies, which should be available to you to read.

Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

Although we take reasonable steps to prevent the introduction of viruses, worms, “Trojan Horses” or other destructive materials to our site, we do not guarantee or warrant that our site or materials that may be downloaded from our site are free from such destructive features. We are not liable for any damages or harm attributable to such features. We are not liable for any claim, loss or injury based on errors, omissions, interruptions or other inaccuracies on our site, nor for any claim, loss or injury that results from your use of this site or your breach of any provision of this User Agreement.

Governing Law

This User Agreement will be governed by the laws of Washington state applicable to contracts made and performed there without regard to its conflicts of law principles. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts and waive any jurisdictional, venue or inconvenient forum objections to such courts.

Termination

We reserve the right to terminate the site and this User Agreement at any time without notice for any reason, including, in the case of the User Agreement, for your violation of any of its provisions. The Limitation of Liability and Governing Law Sections of this User Agreement shall survive any such termination.

Changes to this User Agreement

This User Agreement is effective as of September 25, 2024, and will be in effect immediately after being posted on this page.

We reserve the right to update or change our User Agreement at any time and you should check this User Agreement periodically. Your continued use of the site after we post any modifications to the User Agreement on this page will constitute your acknowledgment of the modifications and your consent to abide and be bound by the modified User Agreement.

If we make any material changes to this User Agreement, we will notify you either through the email address you have provided us, or by placing a prominent notice on our website.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this User Agreement, please contact us at services@investigatewest.org.

Yes, unless otherwise noted, you’re welcome to republish InvestigateWest’s original articles and photographs for free, as long as you follow a few simple conditions:

• You must credit both the author and InvestigateWest in the byline. We prefer: “Author Name, InvestigateWest.”
• You have to include the tagline provided at the end of the article, which typically reads, “InvestigateWest (investigatewest.org) is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Visit investigatewest.org/newsletters to sign up for weekly updates.”
• You can write your own headlines as long as they accurately reflect the story.
• You may not edit our work except to reflect your own editorial style or to update time references (changing “yesterday” to “last week,” for instance).
• You may use InvestigateWest artwork (photos, illustrations, etc.) ONLY if you publish them alongside the stories with which they originally appeared and do not alter them. You may not separate multimedia elements for standalone use.
• If you share our stories on social media, we’d appreciate it if you tag us in your posts.

Keep in mind: InvestigateWest sometimes republishes articles from other news outlets and we have no authority to grant republication permission. These stories are identifiable by their bylines and other credits.

We send story alerts to editors at news outlets across the Northwest. Let us know if you want to be included on that list. Questions? Contact us at editors@investigatewest.org.

While most of our investigations are produced by our staff, we occasionally work with veteran freelancers who pitch us a groundbreaking accountability project rooted in the Pacific Northwest.

When we evaluate pitches, we consider them against the components we believe make for an ideal investigative project:

An ideal investigative story…

• Is original and includes substantial new insights/findings on a subject of importance. In a word, it’s revelatory. It doesn’t waste time on something that’s already been done in the region.
• Has a strong accountability framing. It answers: What’s wrong? And who or what is responsible? It doesn’t merely ponder whether something bad is happening; it rigorously proves it with evidence. Nor does it attribute problems to broad, ill-defined systems, but instead spotlights specific people, policies, laws, regulations, institutions or societal structures contributing to or ignoring a problem.
• Is policy-focused and has a clear hypothesis. It answers: What needs to be changed? It identifies potential solutions and includes the best thinking from outside experts calling for change. Bonus points: It includes original data analysis quantifying the issue. For bigger projects, this is absolutely essential.
• Features real people impacted by a meaningful problem. It clearly shows harm.
• Has the potential to spur reforms by identifying problems, the responsible parties and what should change. Real-world impact is not something we as journalists can control, but ultimately it is how we judge our success. All good projects will involve follow-up stories that sustain public attention and outrage and keep pressure where it belongs.

One thing is certain: We never want to duplicate a story that’s already been written. Everything we do should provide new insights about something important. That said, not every story needs to be a three-part series or a blockbuster investigation. Many stories can qualify as “investigative” as long as they’re fresh and examine in some way how those in power or responsible should be held accountable.

The difference between a successful pitch and one we reject often comes down to your ability to convey that you know what you're talking about. Have you done your homework and read everything that's ever been written about your subject? Are you able to think beyond "the system is broken" and determine a more specific target for your investigation?

Are you ready now? Reach out to our team at editors@investigatewest.org.

We regularly send story alerts to editors at news outlets across the Northwest; let us know if you want to be included on that list.

Washington

Bellingham Herald
Cascadia Daily
Chronicle
Columbia Basin Herald
Crosscut
Daily News
Everett Herald
GeekWire
Grist
Inlander
JOLT
Kitsap Sun
KUOW
KXLY
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Newport Miner
Olympian
Peninsula Daily News
Range
Seattle Times
Seattle Weekly
Skagit Valley Herald
Spokane Public Radio
Spokesman-Review
Statesman Examiner
Stevens County Times
Tacoma News Tribune
The Columbian
The Tribal Tribune
Tri-City Herald
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Washington State Standard
Wenatchee World
Yakima Herald-Republic

Oregon

Albany Democrat-Herald
Corvallis Gazette-Times
East Oregonian
Eugene Register Guard
ICT
Jefferson Public Radio
Lund Report
Malheur Enterprise
OPB
Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregonian
Portland Tribune
Rogue Valley Times
Salem Reporter
Salem Statesman Journal
Source Weekly (Bend)
The Astorian
The Bulletin
The News-Review
Underscore Native News
Willamette Week

Idaho

Boise Public Radio
Coeur d’Alene Press
Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho Press
Idaho Public Television
Idaho Statesman
KBOI
KIVI
KTVB
Lewiston Tribune
Post Register
Sandpoint Reader
Twin Falls Times-News

Montana

Billings Gazette
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Daily Inter Lake
Daily Montanan
Flathead Beacon
Helena Independent Record
Missoulian
Montana Free Press
Montana Standard

Regional/National

High Country News
Guardian
Mother Jones
New York Times
Politico
Reveal
The Atlantic
Washington Post

With a proven track record of producing stories that result in policy reforms, new laws and increased public awareness, InvestigateWest is committed to expanding its reach through collaboration with local news outlets across the region. We understand the financial and staffing challenges facing many local newsrooms, including our own, and our collaboration model is designed to alleviate those pressures while amplifying the collective impact of our work.

Investigative journalism, in particular, requires resources, expertise, and time that many outlets simply cannot afford. That’s where collaboration comes in.

Collaborative investigative journalism:

• Maximizes resources: By pooling expertise, staffing and funding, newsrooms can produce high-impact investigative stories that would otherwise be out of reach for any one outlet.
• Expands reach and impact: By working together, multiple outlets can ensure that important investigations reach a larger, more diverse audience, multiplying the chances for real-world change.
• Strengthens local journalism ecosystems: Collaboration lifts up smaller, under-resourced outlets with the resources and expertise needed to pursue accountability journalism.
• Builds trust and credibility: Transparent collaborations between outlets strengthen public trust in journalism by showing readers and viewers that their news sources are working together in the public interest.

Our approach to collaboration can be tailored to what's needed: We provide partner newsrooms with resources, expertise, and support, enabling them to continue serving their communities while tackling in-depth, accountability-driven stories that resonate across the region.

We have hired a “collaborative investigative reporter” who will work with outlets across Washington state. And we recently hired a second collaborative reporter for Oregon, who started in July 2025. In the meantime, our entire organization is putting collaboration at the center of what we do. We are actively seeking to team up with news outlets across the region, including Idaho and Oregon.

Whether you have an investigative idea that needs support or you’re looking to expand your newsroom’s capacity, we are ready to work alongside you to produce stories that matter. To start a conversation, please fill out this collaboration form.

InvestigateWest isn't your typical news organization. As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to producing investigative journalism that drives real-world change, InvestigateWest focuses on issues that truly matter to the citizens of the Pacific Northwest. With a mission to hold power accountable and give voice to underrepresented communities, InvestigateWest has consistently proven that impactful journalism can shape policy, improve lives and strengthen democracy. Here's what sets InvestigateWest apart:

• Mission-driven impact: InvestigateWest measures success by real-world change, not clicks or ad revenue. Our investigative reporting has led to the passage of a dozen new state laws, improving protections for workers, the environment, and vulnerable children. See Our Impact.
• Collaboration with under-resourced newsrooms: We actively seek to partner with smaller, under-resourced outlets across the Pacific Northwest, helping them surface stories that they couldn’t otherwise produce on their own. Our collaborative approach strengthens the region's news ecosystem and amplifies voices from underserved communities. See Collaborate with Us.
• Focus on accountability and social justice: InvestigateWest prioritizes investigative journalism that holds power accountable and shines a light on systemic injustices. From exposing racial disparities in law enforcement to covering environmental degradation, our stories are rooted in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.
• Diverse, high-impact coverage: We go beyond the headlines to report stories affecting communities that are often neglected by traditional media. Our focus is on providing new insights and solutions to the region's most pressing issues.
• Nonprofit, independent, and free to all: Unlike for-profit news outlets, InvestigateWest operates as a nonprofit, relying on donor support to fuel our work. This allows us to keep our journalism accessible to everyone and free from corporate or political influence. Our readers and funders are our true stakeholders.

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.

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.

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.

Our Mission
As a nonprofit, collaborative newsroom, InvestigateWest’s mission is to produce high-impact investigative journalism that holds power accountable, exposes injustice and empowers underserved communities across the Pacific Northwest to create a more informed, just and equitable society.

Our vision is one of a society where all communities are empowered by fearless investigative journalism that drives systemic change, strengthens democracy, and fosters greater accountability and justice.

Our History
InvestigateWest was founded in 2009 by former Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporters and editors after the paper stopped publishing. It was a critical time for the news industry — “Papers Facing Worst Year for Ad Revenue,” declared the New York Times in the summer of 2008 — and thousands upon thousands of reporters lost their jobs across America. InvestigateWest was part of a pioneering group of news organizations created at that time to preserve public-service journalism through a nonprofit model relying on reader support and donations rather than advertising. There are now more than 400 news nonprofits across the country, building on the groundbreaking work of the early trendsetters like VTDigger in Vermont, inewsource in California, The Texas Tribune, ProPublica and InvestigateWest.

Track Record of Impact
Over the years, our small newsroom has generated massive impact, including a dozen new state laws to protect workers, the environment and vulnerable children. Visit Our Impact to learn about more how InvestigateWest is driving policy across the region.

What We Cover
In short, we spotlight injustice in the Pacific Northwest — exposing corruption, wrongdoing, abuses of power and society’s broken systems. We focus on the most urgent issues of our time: social justice, climate and the environment, public health, government and corporate accountability, democracy, extremism, youth, labor and more. We prioritize underserved communities and areas where our work can have the most impact.

One thing we avoid at all costs: duplicating stories that have already been written. Everything we publish should provide substantial new insights about something important. It answers: What’s wrong? Who or what is responsible? What needs to change?

Our Staff
Our local reporters and editors are posted across the Pacific Northwest and aim to spotlight the region’s underserved communities. Many on the team have two decades or more of experience and over that time they have published a substantial body of change-inspiring work. See Our Staff for more detail.

Commitment to Collaboration
InvestigateWest is in the process of building a dream team of aggressive and seasoned journalists driven to expose injustice, hold power to account and spark change through rigorous, evidence-based reporting. Meanwhile, we believe that the best way to serve local communities across the Northwest is to wholeheartedly embrace collaboration and partner with other local outlets to surface important investigative stories that would otherwise go untold. For more, visit Collaborate with Us.

Our Reach and Distribution
InvestigateWest’s articles are published on our website — free to everyone, including other news outlets — and are regularly reprinted by dozens of local outlets across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. We also partner with national publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Grist, Politico, The Guardian and The Atlantic. Meanwhile, we reach thousands of additional readers with our free newsletter; sign up here.

Ownership/Organization
InvestigateWest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, overseen by a volunteer board of directors, and we rely heavily on donations to fund our work. Donations to InvestigateWest are tax-deductible.

Financial Reports
Find recent tax returns: Form 990, 2023; Form 990, 2022; Form 990, 2021; Form 990, 2020. Independent financial reviews: 2023; 2022; 2021; 2020. The IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. And our profile on Candid.

Our Supporters
More than half of our revenue comes from regional and national foundations. The rest comes from individual donors who value the essential role watchdog journalism plays in a healthy democracy. For more, visit How We're Funded and Ways to Give.

Our Founders
The initial idea for InvestigateWest was conceived, as so many good ideas are, inside a stressed-out newsroom, in this case, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, not long after the PI’s reporters and editors learned in 2009 that the future of the paper was in jeopardy. Rather than walk away, these journalists wanted to build something new. It then fell to six co-founders — Robert McClure, Rita Hibbard, Carol Smith, Kristen Millares Young, Daniel Lathrop and Lewis Kamb — to take the idea and make it real.

Facts, Fairness and Verification
We seek to report the truth and to base our reporting on the most rigorous factual standards, while holding the powerful accountable and minimizing harm. Reporters and editors seek to document our stories deeply, checking facts with care, paying attention to context and complexity, striving to confirm information in multiple ways, and seeking deeper explanations that underlie policies and decisions affecting the public. Reporters serve as the front line of fact-checking, and InvestigateWest applies multiple layers of editing to each published story, working to ensure that they are accurate and fair.

Fairness requires thorough fact-gathering, inclusion of relevant context and substantive arguments, transparency about the sources of our information, and treating the subjects of our coverage with dignity and respect. In cases where individuals or organizations are subject to criticism within a story, we make every effort to provide them with the opportunity to respond in detail and to reflect in an even-handed manner their best defense within the story.

Professional Affiliations
InvestigateWest is a founding member of the Institute for Nonprofit News and also belongs to LION Publishers, IRE, the Rural News Network and the Society of Professional Journalists.