Fund Independent Accountability
Help Increase Citizenship Value
Local Government Accountability investigates public records, verifies the facts, identifies responsibility, and develops measurable solutions for better local government.
Independent work requires independent funding.
Secure online giving will be available shortly.
Independent
No government funding directs our findings.
Evidence-based
Every investigation begins with public records and documented methodology.
Solutions-oriented
We do not stop at identifying problems. We develop measurable ways to improve performance.
Where It Goes
What Your Support Makes Possible
Public-record acquisition
Records fees, document retrieval, data access, and source collection.
Financial and operational analysis
Review of budgets, audits, contracts, staffing, procurement, capital plans, and performance data.
Independent verification
Cross-checking findings, testing calculations, reviewing competing explanations, and documenting limitations.
Public reporting
Publishing accessible findings, evidence, methodology, recommendations, and updates.
Solutions and follow-through
Developing practical efficiency recommendations and tracking whether promised improvements occur.
The Point of the Work
What Is Citizenship Value?
Increasing Citizenship Value
Citizenship Value is the measurable value residents receive from local government through reliable services, responsible taxation, transparent decisions, efficient operations, accountable leadership, and public institutions that perform as promised.
Better services. Responsible costs. Transparent decisions. Accountable government.
Your support helps communities understand where public systems are working, where they are failing, who is responsible for key decisions, and what practical changes can improve outcomes.
The Process
How Support Becomes Accountability
Community concern
Residents, records, or public data identify a question worth examining.
Record collection
Budgets, audits, contracts, meeting materials, staffing data, and related sources are gathered.
Investigation and verification
The record is analyzed, calculations are tested, and responsibility is traced through documented decisions.
Findings and solutions
LGAI publishes what the evidence supports and develops measurable recommendations.
Public value
Residents, officials, journalists, and community leaders can use the work to ask better questions and improve local government.
Levels of Support
Choose the Level of Support That Fits You
Community Supporter
Helps cover routine records and research expenses.
Online giving coming soonResearch Supporter
Helps fund deeper document review and financial analysis.
Online giving coming soonInvestigation Supporter
Helps underwrite a substantial local-government investigation.
Online giving coming soonFounding Supporter
Helps expand long-term research capacity and public access.
Online giving coming soonContact us about supporting this work and we will follow up.
Ways to Give
Payment Methods
Giving by check is open now. Secure online giving is being finalized. Until then, the fastest way to support a specific piece of work is to contact us directly.
Secure online giving
Coming soonSecure online card giving will be available shortly.
Give by check
Make checks payable to Local Government Accountability and mail to:
Local Government Accountability
1250 Connecticut Avenue NW
Suite 700 PMB 5459
Washington, DC 20036
Donor inquiries
To discuss supporting an investigation or making a major contribution, reach us directly.
Discuss supporting an investigationTrust
Independence Comes First
Donors support the work. They do not purchase findings, direct conclusions, or control what LGAI publishes. Every LGAI investigation is funded by citizens — never by candidates, parties, or government contracts. That independence is the whole point: nobody can call off an audit, because nobody owns it.
Independent. No government money. No candidate money. Every finding sourced.
Donor Privacy
Contributions to LGAI are private. As a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, LGAI is not required to publicly disclose its donors, and we do not. Contributions are not tax-deductible as charitable donations.
Tax Status — Full Disclosure
Local Government Accountability is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. Contributions are NOT tax-deductible as charitable donations.
After You Give
What Happens After You Contribute
- Once secure online giving is active, you receive confirmation through the payment provider.
- Contributions are used to support independent research, records acquisition, analysis, publication, and related operating capacity.
- Donors may receive organizational updates according to their communication preferences.
- Contributions do not create editorial control or influence over findings.
Questions
Donate FAQ
- Is Local Government Accountability tax-exempt?
- Local Government Accountability is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. Contributions are not tax-deductible as charitable donations.
- Can I direct my contribution to a specific investigation?
- Contributions support Local Government Accountability’s independent research program. LGAI retains sole discretion over what it investigates and publishes; donors do not direct or control specific investigations or findings. To discuss a major contribution, contact us.
- Do donors influence findings?
- No. Donors support the work. They do not purchase findings, direct conclusions, or control what LGAI publishes.
- Will my name be published?
- Contributions to LGAI are private. As a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, LGAI is not required to publicly disclose its donors, and we do not.
- Can I contribute by check?
- Yes. Make checks payable to Local Government Accountability and mail to 1250 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700 PMB 5459, Washington, DC 20036.
- When will online giving be available?
- Secure online giving is being finalized and will be available shortly. Until then, you can contribute by check or contact us to discuss supporting the work.
- Who do I contact about a major contribution?
- Please reach us through our contact page and we will follow up.
Help Increase Citizenship Value
The government works for the people. We make sure it remembers.