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

Since the nonprofit is a so-called dark money group — one that’s not required to disclose the names of its donors — the original source of the money remains unknown.

From Salon • Jul. 1, 2025

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

The usual way that Russian oligarchs hide their "dark money" abroad is through shell companies.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2022

Two associates and the dark money group, Generation Now, have since pleaded guilty.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2022