Fact Check: "Common Dreams relies on donations to continue progressive journalism."
What We Know
Common Dreams is a nonprofit news organization that has been operational since 1997, focusing on progressive journalism. It is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, which means it is recognized as a tax-exempt nonprofit in the United States (Common Dreams - Ownership & Funding). The organization explicitly states that it is funded entirely through donations from individual readers and some support from nonprofit foundations, without any corporate sponsorship or advertising (Common Dreams - InfluenceWatch). In fiscal year 2020, Common Dreams reported receiving over 61,000 donations from more than 21,000 individual readers, averaging about $23.76 per donation (Common Dreams - Ownership & Funding).
Analysis
The claim that Common Dreams relies on donations for its operations is supported by multiple credible sources. The organization itself emphasizes its dependence on reader contributions to maintain its editorial independence and to continue providing news without the influence of corporate interests (Common Dreams - Ownership & Funding). This funding model is typical for many nonprofit news organizations that seek to avoid conflicts of interest that can arise from corporate sponsorship.
Moreover, the financial data provided by Common Dreams indicates a clear reliance on donations, as their revenue is primarily generated through individual contributions rather than advertising or corporate funding (Common Dreams - InfluenceWatch). This is further corroborated by their commitment to transparency, as they publish their funding sources and financial information on their website (Common Dreams - Ownership & Funding).
While some sources, such as InfluenceWatch, note that Common Dreams promotes a left-of-center perspective, this does not negate the fact that they operate as a nonprofit reliant on donations (Common Dreams - InfluenceWatch). The organization's editorial stance is separate from its funding model, which is a common practice among many media outlets that aim to maintain independence from corporate influence.
Conclusion
The claim that "Common Dreams relies on donations to continue progressive journalism" is True. The evidence shows that Common Dreams is funded primarily through reader donations, which supports its operations and allows it to maintain its editorial independence. This funding model is clearly articulated by the organization itself and is backed by financial data.
