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

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

Dark money, in the Yank sense of that term, plays virtually no role in European electoral campaigns, which tend to be tightly controlled, brief in duration and mostly financed by the state.

From Salon

The initiative passed with 74% of the vote and the state has been lauded for rejecting dark money’s incredibly vast influence in American politics.

From Salon

Though the initiative faces a long road to the nation’s top court and may not be upheld when it gets there, both McCormick and Lessig said Question 1's overwhelming support shows that voters care about dark money in politics and, when given the chance, they want change.

From Salon

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

From Slate