dark money

American  

[dahrk muhn-ee] / ˈdɑrk ˈmʌn i /

noun

1. money donated to politically active nonprofit organizations or anonymous corporate entities, which spend this money to influence political campaigns or other special interests but are not required to reveal their donors.

---

Etymology

Origin of dark money

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dark money

Modern-day discussion of U.S. campaign finance revolves around issues such as dark money, outside-group spending and corporate personhood.

From Salon ● Jul. 2, 2026

L.A. voters have seen the arrival of AI campaign videos, an influx of dark money mailers and national media coverage from US Weekly, Vanity Fair and many other outlets, thanks in large part to Pratt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

During trial, Borges’ attorneys argued that the lobbyist had only a minor, short-term role in the massive operation, in which two other individuals, a dark money group and FirstEnergy have all acknowledged their guilt.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 13, 2023

The funds came from the Judicial Education Project, a dark money group that listed its address as a UPS Store in Georgetown.

From Slate ● May 8, 2023

“My fear is that the dark money is entering Hawaii politics and I don’t believe that it belongs there,” Saiki said.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 10, 2022