Donor Transparency Policy

MedShadow Foundation
Last updated: June 26, 2026
Approved by: Diane Salvatore, Executive Director, June 26, 2026

MedShadow Foundation is committed to transparency, editorial independence, and public trust. Our journalism exists to help people understand the benefits, risks, and side effects of medicines and to make informed health decisions. Because our work depends on public confidence, we disclose significant sources of financial support and maintain clear boundaries between funding and editorial decision-making.

Our commitment to editorial independence

MedShadow retains full authority over all editorial content. Donors, funders, sponsors, board members, advisors, advertisers, partners, and other supporters do not control, review, approve, assign, edit, suppress, or otherwise influence our journalism.

Acceptance of financial support does not constitute MedShadow’s endorsement of any donor, funder, product, service, company, policy position, or opinion. Likewise, a donor’s support does not imply that the donor endorses all of MedShadow’s work.

MedShadow may accept gifts or grants for general support or for broad areas of coverage that are consistent with our mission. However, MedShadow will not accept any gift, grant, sponsorship, or other support that gives a funder the right to determine editorial conclusions, influence reporting, review content before publication, require favorable coverage, prevent publication, or direct coverage toward a specific outcome.

Funding we do not accept

To protect our independence and avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest, MedShadow does not accept advertising, paid editorial placements, or contributions from pharmaceutical companies, supplement makers, political action organizations, or any source whose support would compromise — or appear to compromise — our mission, credibility, nonprofit status, or editorial independence.

MedShadow reserves the right to decline, return, or restrict any gift that presents a conflict of interest, is conditioned on editorial influence, is inconsistent with our mission, is illegal or improper, or could damage public trust in our journalism.

Public disclosure of major donors

MedShadow publicly discloses the names of all donors who contribute a total of $5,000 or more in a fiscal year, whether through one gift or cumulative gifts.

For purposes of this policy, “donor” includes individuals, families, foundations, corporations, institutions, donor-advised funds, matching-gift programs, government entities, and other sources of financial or in-kind support.

MedShadow will update its major donor list at least annually after the close of each fiscal year and may update it more frequently. We disclose donor names, but we do not publish donors’ home addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, payment details, or other personal contact information.

Anonymous donations

MedShadow defines an anonymous donation as any donation from a source that is not publicly named on our website, including a donor known to MedShadow but not publicly disclosed.

MedShadow does not knowingly accept anonymous donations from a single source that total more than $5,000 in a fiscal year. If a donor’s cumulative giving reaches or exceeds $5,000, MedShadow will ask the donor for permission to be publicly listed. If the donor declines public disclosure, MedShadow will decline or return the portion of the gift above the disclosure threshold to the extent feasible and legally permissible.

Anonymous donations, if accepted, may be used only for general operating support. They may not be directed to a specific story, reporter, investigation, editorial conclusion, publication decision, or narrow area of coverage.

MedShadow will ensure that anonymous donations do not exceed 15% of total annual revenue.

Donor-advised funds and matching gifts

When a gift is made through a donor-advised fund, community foundation, workplace giving program, matching-gift program, or similar intermediary, MedShadow will make a good-faith effort to identify the original recommending donor when appropriate and permissible.

If the underlying donor is known and the total giving reaches $5,000 or more in a fiscal year, MedShadow will seek permission to publicly list the donor. If the donor is not known to MedShadow or cannot be publicly disclosed, the gift will be treated as anonymous for purposes of this policy.

Government funding

MedShadow will disclose any government funding it receives, including the source and general purpose of the funding.

MedShadow will not accept government funding that is awarded, withheld, conditioned, or evaluated based on MedShadow’s editorial content, coverage choices, viewpoints, reporting conclusions, or treatment of public officials, agencies, companies, products, policies, or issues.

Donor conflicts and coverage

MedShadow may report on donors, funders, their industries, or issues in which donors may have an interest. Donor status does not protect any person or organization from scrutiny, criticism, investigation, or coverage.

When MedShadow reports on a significant donor or a matter involving a significant donor, editors will evaluate whether a disclosure should be included in the story so readers can assess any potential conflict or appearance of conflict.

Financial transparency

MedShadow posts annual reports, tax filings, or equivalent financial information on its website so readers can understand how the organization is funded and governed.

Public copies of tax filings may omit donor names, addresses, or other contributor-identifying information when permitted by law. MedShadow’s public donor list is intended to provide transparency while also protecting donor privacy and personal information.

Donor privacy

MedShadow respects donor privacy. We do not sell, rent, or trade donor lists.

MedShadow collects and uses donor information for lawful nonprofit purposes, including processing donations, issuing receipts, maintaining financial records, complying with tax and reporting obligations, communicating with supporters, and conducting internal governance and financial oversight.

Donor information may be shared with staff, board members, accountants, auditors, attorneys, payment processors, regulators, or other service providers as necessary for those purposes.

Oversight and compliance

The Executive Director and Board of Directors are responsible for oversight of this policy. MedShadow will review this policy periodically and update it as needed to reflect legal requirements, nonprofit best practices, INN membership standards, and MedShadow’s commitment to public trust.

Questions about this policy may be directed to: contact@medshadow.org