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.

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Etymology

Origin of dark money

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

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

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

We never talked about dark money, which the public hates.

From Slate • Nov. 25, 2024

A spokesperson for Murray, D-Wash., said neither the senator’s campaign nor official office had any involvement in or knowledge of the supposed dark money transfer.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 20, 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