OpenSecrets and the History of Political Finance Tracking
Transparency in political funding is essential for a functioning democracy. The journey toward making campaign finance data accessible to the public was led by two pioneering organizations: the Center for Responsive Politics and the National Institute on Money in Politics. Together, these entities transitioned the study of "money in politics" from dense, printed volumes to the digital databases used by journalists and citizens today.
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. Their goal was to analyze the influence of financial contributions on the legislative process.
During the 1980s, the duo launched a comprehensive "money-in-politics" project. The initial findings were published in large printed books, most notably Spending in Congressional Elections: A Never-Ending Spiral in 1988. This seminal work analyzed spending patterns in congressional elections from 1974 through 1986, including soft money—funds raised outside the limits and prohibitions of federal campaign finance law—across five states.
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The organization began publishing data in 1990 and took a significant leap toward accessibility in 1996 with the launch of the website OpenSecrets.org, which digitized their findings for a global audience.
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 the public to access.
By 1999, three regional teams merged to establish NIMP in Helena, Montana. The organization launched the Follow The Money website, a platform that compiled political funding information sourced directly from government disclosure agencies.
NIMP operated independently of government funding, relying instead on philanthropic support. This included a significant contribution of $2.3 million from the Open Society Foundations.
Key Facts
- Founders: Senators Frank Church (D-ID) and Hugh Scott (R-PA) established the CRP in 1983.
- First Major Publication: Spending in Congressional Elections: A Never-Ending Spiral (1988).
- Digital Transition: OpenSecrets.org launched in 1996; Follow The Money was developed by NIMP.
- NIMP Funding: Received $2.3 million from Open Society Foundations and initial support from the MacArthur Foundation.
- Leadership: Sheila Krumholz served as executive director from December 2006 to December 2023.
Organizational Comparison
| Feature | Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) | National Institute on Money in Politics (NIMP) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 1999 (Roots in 1991) |
| Primary Digital Platform | OpenSecrets.org | Follow The Money |
| Key Early Focus | Congressional election spending | Western U.S. political funding |
| Funding Source | Not specified | Philanthropic (e.g., MacArthur Foundation, Open Society Foundations) |
Leadership History
The continuity of these efforts was maintained through dedicated leadership. Sheila Krumholz joined the organization in 1989 and rose through the ranks as research director. She eventually served as the executive director of OpenSecrets and its predecessor from December 2006 until December 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Center for Responsive Politics?
It was founded in 1983 by retired U.S. Senators Frank Church of Idaho (Democratic Party) and Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania (Republican Party).
What was the first major publication by the CRP?
The first book was titled Spending in Congressional Elections: A Never-Ending Spiral, published in 1988, which analyzed election spending from 1974 to 1986.
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 $2.3 million from the Open Society Foundations.
When did OpenSecrets.org launch?
The OpenSecrets.org website was launched in 1996 to make political funding data more readily available to the public.
Who led OpenSecrets for the majority of the 21st century?
Sheila Krumholz served as the executive director from December 2006 until December 2023.