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FACT BRIEF

Does Prager University provide detailed information about its donors?

Tuesday, January 19, 2021
By Emanuela Podda Ankrom
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NO

Prager University isn't an actual accredited university, but a Sherman Oaks, California-based media organization advocating “Judeo-Christian values” and known for short videos espousing conservative viewpoints. Under tax rules for nonprofits, it doesn't disclose the sources of its funding.

In 2018, the latest year for which required IRS filings are available, Prager reported it raised $17.9 million, up from $10.2 million the previous year. In its 2020 annual report it reported revenues “estimated” at $28 million.

In 2020, Prager reported, its videos were watched one billion times.

Prager says it raises 40% of its funding online. Progressive media and advocacy groups have asserted it receives significant support from religious conservatives with ties to the oil industry. The Daily Dot notes that two Texans who made a fortune in fracking were on the Prager board in 2016 and 2017.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
ProPublica: Nonprofit explorer—Prager University Foundation IRS Form 990 for 2018
PragerU PragerU: 2020 Annual Report
Georgetown Georgetown: BRIDGE Project—PragerU factsheet
Daily Dot Daily Dot: PragerU is conservatism for the youths—brought to you by old billionaires
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.