How we accept support
Diversified funding protects independence. We publish these rules before soliciting donations so readers, funders, and partners know what we will and will not do.
Our principle
We welcome support from individuals, foundations, businesses, and civic organizations that share our commitment to informed decision-making, without trading independence for funding.
We never accept: funding for predetermined conclusions, sponsor approval of findings, pay-for-play rankings, or major operating support from institutions we evaluate in ROI and outcome reports.
What we accept
Foundation & institutional grants
General operating or project grants aligned with pathway outcomes, workforce mobility, and public-interest research. Topic areas we would investigate anyway. Never specific story ideas or required findings.
Individual supporters
Reader and community donations create no expectation of influence over research. We disclose gifts larger than $1,000 to staff and the public.
Corporate memberships & sponsorships
Employers and civic organizations may sponsor research series (e.g., Utah Workforce Outcomes) with clear labeling: “Research supported by…” Sponsors cannot review, approve, or influence conclusions.
Research partnerships
Custom analysis with published methodology and public release. We decline partnerships that compromise independence or block critical findings.
Sponsored research questions
Organizations may sponsor a ballot question at tiered depth, from $500 (data brief) to $5,000 (deep data dive). Sponsors receive named credit, a link to their website, and logo placement on the publication. Links identify funders; they are not endorsements. Sponsors do not approve conclusions.
View ballot & tiers →Independence rules (locked)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can donors influence findings? | No |
| Can sponsors review reports before publication? | No. Factual accuracy checks only, not editorial approval |
| Can sponsors approve topics or conclusions? | No |
| Can we name sponsors and link to their websites? | Yes. Disclosed on the publication and funding page; link is identification, not endorsement |
| Can sponsors use our logo on their site? | Yes. “Research supported by Pathways & Outcomes” with link back; no implication we endorsed their findings |
| Can universities fund studies about themselves? | Avoid. Data partnerships yes; financial dependence no |
| Do we cover institutions that fund us? | Yes. With full relationship disclosure |
Universities & researched institutions
We partner with universities for peer review, expertise, and data interpretation. We do not make colleges and universities the cornerstone of our funding strategy.
When we publish institution-level ROI, debt, or earnings comparisons, financial ties to those institutions create perceived conflicts, even when our work remains objective. Our greatest long-term value is publishing what the data says when findings make institutions uncomfortable.
EDsmart.org (separate for-profit)
Commercial revenue (advertising, affiliates, sponsorships, and data products) belongs to EDsmart.org, a separate entity. Pathways and Outcomes does not carry display advertising or education-vendor sponsorships on this site.
- EDsmart may distribute or cite our research with clear labeling
- EDsmart revenue does not fund or influence our findings
- Related-party activity is documented in a written MOU and disclosed publicly
What sponsors and donors should know
We are transparent about how we operate today, not only about money. Pathways and Outcomes is not currently a registered nonprofit; we are working toward Utah incorporation and federal 501(c)(3) status in 2026. We are a founding team building toward a staffed research organization. Until we hire writers and journalists, we use AI tools to help draft reports and data briefs from verified public data, with human editing and review before every publication.
Your support helps us move beyond that temporary workflow: hiring editorial staff, expanding original reporting, and deepening Utah and national research. Sponsors and donors never influence findings, but they do help us build the capacity to produce work without relying on AI-assisted drafting.
Details: About · Editorial Policy · Code of Ethics
Disclosure & supporters list
We disclose:
- Sponsored research on the affected publication (“Research supported by…”)
- Gifts and grants larger than $1,000
- Board member and major-donor relationships when we report on them
- EDsmart cross-publication whenever it occurs
A public supporters list will be published here as founding support is received. Sample preview. No donors listed yet.
FOUNDING SUPPORTERS
Listed supporters will appear here once Pathways & Outcomes begins accepting public donations.
Ways to support
Corporate membership
$1,000–$10,000 annually: workforce-focused briefings, logo on supporters page.
Contact us →Series sponsorship
$2,500–$50,000 per project: labeled support for a research series, not editorial control.
Contact us →Foundation grants
$25,000–$100,000+: mobility, workforce, and education research aligned with our mission.
Contact us →Full ethical standards: Code of Ethics · Editorial Policy
Funding questions: hello@pathwaysandoutcomes.org