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Impact

In our early years, POGO was best known for exposing rampant contractor profiteering in the defense industry. We’ve now been working for over four decades to expose corruption and abuse of power across the entire federal government and to engage with policymakers on commonsense solutions that ensure the government is best serving the public, not the powerful few. 

When we speak, leaders in Washington listen. Here’s some of our recent impact. 

There is a law on the books that requires the federal government to collect and study information about every person who dies in state or federal custody. But for over a decade, the Justice Department has failed to collect and publish this data. 

After years of sustained pressure from POGO and other organizations, the department finally released some aggregated information, allowing advocates, good government groups, and policymakers access to official information on how many people are dying in law enforcement custody and why. This information is key to developing reforms to keep people safer. 

POGO won’t stop pushing the Justice Department until it finally makes this critical data available on a regular basis and fully implements this important law. 

Last year, POGO partnered with other civil service agency to launch CBP Watch and keep Congress apprised of abuses in the agency. Since the project’s launch, we’ve seen notable changes at the agency.  

Following our advocacy, CBP has created a “Detainee Locator,” which allows people to search for individuals who have been in CBP custody for over 48 hours. This change introduces much-needed accountability and transparency around who CBP is holding in custody. 

The agency has also reformed the ways they handle the personal property of those they detain. Following multiple reports of CBP personnel discarding or refusing to return important belongings like vital medications, IDs, legal documents, and more, CBP Watch and its member organizations advocated for this change. 

These are important steps in the right direction and offer improved protections for people detained by our government. 

POGO published an investigation showing how Russian oil is making its way into the Pentagon supply chain through Defense Department contracts with a Greek refinery. Our investigators worked with reporters at the Washington Post, which simultaneously published a companion investigation to further flesh out the supply chain issues in play.   

The investigation has sparked wide bipartisan interest from members of Congress, and in December, Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) cited our investigation in a letter they sent to the Pentagon calling on it to explain how it is ending the purchase of Russian oil. 

2024 By The Numbers 

Nearly 400 Congressional staff trained in oversight. POGO provides direct training to staff in order to strengthen Congress’s ability to conduct oversight and investigations.

More than 2,000 mentions in the media. POGO staff regularly speak with reporters about accountability and are a trusted source on corruption.

80 Mentions by Congress. Members of Congress cited POGO in press releases, floor statements, letters, reports, and social media posts.

For more on our impact, read our latest impact report. 

Why You Should Trust Us

POGO is an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau and has high ratings on Candid, Charity Watch, Great Nonprofits, and Charity Navigator. Many of you have been generous enough to leave us written reviews on Great Nonprofits, and we’ve included a sampling below. 

“POGO does an outstanding job of uncovering this waste and corruption.”  

“POGO’s reporting ... should be required reading every morning for every legislator, AND TAXPAYER alike. I see very little of this information posted by few other sites. POGO stands above all others.” 

“I follow POGO for their relentless efforts to hold the US govt to account. I’m impressed by their dedication and the breath of their research and commentary. Only wish I had more time to engage with their content.” 

“I’ve followed POGO’s well researched advocacy in support of good government for many years. Its reports ensure our tax dollars are efficiently spent. Its watchdog role with oversight and thoughtful testimony helps improve our democracy for all. I’m grateful to POGO for championing ethical leadership.” 

“POGO takes on what very few organizations (or individuals) seem to care about; the transparency and integrity of our government. I am grateful that they do.” 

Latest Impact Reports

POGO regularly releases impact reports detailing the work we do to strengthen our democracy. In 2022, we started releasing these twice a year instead of annually. Check out the reports from the past two years. 

For the full archive, visit our Financials page.