named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Backgrounding Basics
Training series teaching journalists how to conduct background research on political candidates, including use of FOIA and organizational tools like the Timeline and Source List.
Investigative Toolkit
Online library of tip sheets, how-tos, and training videos covering investigative research methods including financial disclosures, corporate tracking, and source development.
Workshops and Panel Recordings
Hands-on training sessions and panel discussions with experienced journalists on topics such as narrative investigations, social media sleuthing, and reporting on deaths in custody.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Open Research Infrastructure & Publishing 1 activity
- Developing and maintaining open research resources and toolsProduces and maintains publicly available research guides and digital tools, including an Advanced Internet Search Guide, search operator references, alternative search engine directories, and resources for image and video verification to support investigative journalists' online research capabilities.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Delivering training and skill-building programs for journalistsConducts hands-on workshops, monthly Office Hours sessions, and training series on investigative research topics such as cold case investigations, nonprofit financial analysis, global business footprint tracing, deaths in custody, government data preservation, and narrative storytelling. Offers practical tools and techniques to enhance reporting skills.
- Providing direct research support to newsroomsOffers expert research services including document retrieval, data analysis, timeline creation, source list compilation, background checks on individuals and businesses, campaign finance tracking, and candidate research to support investigative journalism projects. Includes specialized support during election cycles through initiatives like the Knight Election Hub.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$448K
Contributions & grants$448K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$212K
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$99K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$248K
Cash$248K
Investments$0
Liabilities$13K
Net assets$235K
Liquid reserves14.0 mo
1 years on record · 2024–2024
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRANDI SWICEGOOD | Director | 40 | $23K |
| MARC FADER | SENIOR ADVISOR | 20 | $13K |
relationships · 41
Who they work with
- Amarillo Tribune Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- American Press Institute Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- Arizona Luminaria Partner — Co-hosted a workshop on investigating deaths in custody.
- Arizona Luminaria Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- Arnold Ventures Funder — Financial supporter of Sunlight Research Desk since June 2024.
- Asheville Watchdog Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- Data Curation Network Partner — Collaborated on a workshop about preserving at-risk government data.
- Data Rescue Project Partner — Collaborated on a workshop about preserving at-risk government data.
- DigLab Foundation Funder — Financial supporter of Sunlight Research Desk since June 2024.
- FRONTLINE Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Funder — Financial supporter of Sunlight Research Desk since June 2024.
- Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Funder — Financial supporter of Sunlight Research Desk since June 2024.
- Knight Election Hub Partner — Collaborated to provide newsroom support during the 2024 election cycle.
- Moodfuel Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- MuckRock Partner — Collaborated on a workshop about reopening cold cases with Jerry Mitchell.
- MuckRock Partner — Collaborates on community events and training programs related to public records and investigative research.
- MuckRock Partner — Collaborates with MuckRock to provide members with premium account access, including DocumentCloud AI tools and free public records requests.
- MuckRock Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- MuckRock Partner — Project partner; Sunlight Research Desk operates as a project of MuckRock.
- MuckRock Foundation Network — Project of the MuckRock Foundation
- MuckRock Foundation Partner — Formed a merger to expand tools, training, and research support for local accountability journalism.
- Nevada Independent Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- NonDoc Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- NowKalamazoo Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- Ocala Gazette Partner — Co-hosted a workshop on investigating deaths in custody.
- RANGE Media Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- Radio Catskill Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- Spotlight PA Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
- Texas Observer Partner — Media partner that produced stories with research and training assistance from Sunlight Research Center.
+ 11 more
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Peer-Enabled Investigative Capacity Building 10 orgsmethodology: peer-to-peer support networkBy fostering peer-to-peer collaboration among journalists, researchers, and experts, the organization strengthens investigative reporting collectively, because shared knowledge and distributed expertise increase the quality, reach, and sustainability of investigative work.shared approach: Recognition as Reinforcement →
- Behind-the-Byline Research Partnershipmethodology: support-behind-the-bylineBy providing direct, offloaded research support to investigative journalists, the organization enables newsrooms to produce deeper and more impactful stories, because removing research burdens allows reporters to focus on narrative development and publication.