OpenSecrets

12/03/2024 | Press release | Archived content

OpenSecrets Named Winner of 2024 Amazon Web Services IMAGINE Grant for Nonprofits

(JHVEPhoto/Getty Images)

OpenSecrets will work with AWS to leverage machine learning to improve efficiency and accessibility of data on money in politics

WASHINGTON, DC (December 3, 2024) — OpenSecrets today announced it has been selected to receive a 2024 Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant, a public grant opportunity open to registered charities in the United Kingdom and Ireland and registered 501(c) nonprofit organizations in the United States who are using technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. The grant will support OpenSecrets’ efforts to leverage machine learning to refine and enhance the efficiency and accuracy of its legacy dataset spanning 400 million records and 40 years.

Now in its seventh year, the AWS IMAGINE Grant provides vital resources to nonprofit organizations looking to deploy cloud technology as a central tool to achieve mission goals. As part of the program, AWS seeks proposals for big ideas on how to leverage cloud technology in new and innovative ways to accelerate impact in local and global communities.

OpenSecrets was named a winner in the Go Further, Faster category, which recognizes highly innovative projects using advanced cloud services. OpenSecrets will receive $150,000 in unrestricted funding, $15,000 in AWS Promotional Credits, and engagement with AWS technical specialists. Proposals were judged on several factors including the innovative and unique nature of the project, impact on mission-critical goals, and clearly defined outcomes and milestones.

This project represents a transformative milestone in OpenSecrets’ ongoing mission to deliver the most reliable, comprehensive, and up-to-date information on political donations and lobbying activities. The machine learning model will employ natural language processing and pattern recognition to dramatically improve the efficiency and reliability of data processing, with the aim of setting a new standard for data accuracy in political transparency.

“Having the chance to collaborate with AWS to leverage machine learning and implement improved data processing is a game-changer for us and the transparency community at large,” said Hilary Braseth, executive director of OpenSecrets. “Our mission has always been to provide the public with the most accurate and comprehensive data on political finance. We are grateful to AWS and are eager to implement the work to better serve our users and stakeholders.”

“At AWS, we’re inspired by the nonprofit sector’s unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity and health of people and our planet,” said Allyson Fryhoff, managing director of nonprofit and nonprofit health at AWS. “Our Imagine Grant winners are pioneering groundbreaking, technology-driven approaches that will amplify their mission impact and build a more equitable and compassionate world. We are thrilled to work alongside these organizations, helping them leverage the transformative capabilities of the AWS Cloud to bring these projects to life.”

Since the launch of the IMAGINE Grant program in 2018, AWS has awarded over $14M in unrestricted funds, AWS Promotional Credits, and expert technical guidance to over 130 nonprofit organizations in support of their technology-driven goals. Previous winners are currently using AWS services to tackle critical challenges such as eliminating barriers to food security, improving maternal health outcomes, helping millions access clean and safe drinking water globally, tackling rare disease research, and more.

More than 85,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide use AWS to increase their impact and advance mission goals. Through multiple programs tailored specifically to the nonprofit community, AWS enables nonprofits of all sizes to overcome barriers to technology adoption, while enhancing the scale, performance, and capabilities of mission operations.

For more information on the AWS IMAGINE Grant, visit aws.amazon.com/IMAGINE-grant

About OpenSecretsNonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the trusted authority on money in American politics. Its mission is to provide comprehensive and reliable data, analysis, and tools for policymakers, storytellers and citizens. Its vision is for Americans to use data on money in politics to create a more vibrant, representative and responsive democracy.

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OpenSecrets Named Winner of 2024 Amazon Web Services IMAGINE Grant for Nonprofits

By OpenSecrets Staff December 3, 2024
(JHVEPhoto/Getty Images)

OpenSecrets will work with AWS to leverage machine learning to improve efficiency and accessibility of data on money in politics

WASHINGTON, DC (December 3, 2024) — OpenSecrets today announced it has been selected to receive a 2024 Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant, a public grant opportunity open to registered charities in the United Kingdom and Ireland and registered 501(c) nonprofit organizations in the United States who are using technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. The grant will support OpenSecrets’ efforts to leverage machine learning to refine and enhance the efficiency and accuracy of its legacy dataset spanning 400 million records and 40 years.

Now in its seventh year, the AWS IMAGINE Grant provides vital resources to nonprofit organizations looking to deploy cloud technology as a central tool to achieve mission goals. As part of the program, AWS seeks proposals for big ideas on how to leverage cloud technology in new and innovative ways to accelerate impact in local and global communities.

OpenSecrets was named a winner in the Go Further, Faster category, which recognizes highly innovative projects using advanced cloud services. OpenSecrets will receive $150,000 in unrestricted funding, $15,000 in AWS Promotional Credits, and engagement with AWS technical specialists. Proposals were judged on several factors including the innovative and unique nature of the project, impact on mission-critical goals, and clearly defined outcomes and milestones.

This project represents a transformative milestone in OpenSecrets’ ongoing mission to deliver the most reliable, comprehensive, and up-to-date information on political donations and lobbying activities. The machine learning model will employ natural language processing and pattern recognition to dramatically improve the efficiency and reliability of data processing, with the aim of setting a new standard for data accuracy in political transparency.

“Having the chance to collaborate with AWS to leverage machine learning and implement improved data processing is a game-changer for us and the transparency community at large,” said Hilary Braseth, executive director of OpenSecrets. “Our mission has always been to provide the public with the most accurate and comprehensive data on political finance. We are grateful to AWS and are eager to implement the work to better serve our users and stakeholders.”

“At AWS, we’re inspired by the nonprofit sector’s unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity and health of people and our planet,” said Allyson Fryhoff, managing director of nonprofit and nonprofit health at AWS. “Our Imagine Grant winners are pioneering groundbreaking, technology-driven approaches that will amplify their mission impact and build a more equitable and compassionate world. We are thrilled to work alongside these organizations, helping them leverage the transformative capabilities of the AWS Cloud to bring these projects to life.”

Since the launch of the IMAGINE Grant program in 2018, AWS has awarded over $14M in unrestricted funds, AWS Promotional Credits, and expert technical guidance to over 130 nonprofit organizations in support of their technology-driven goals. Previous winners are currently using AWS services to tackle critical challenges such as eliminating barriers to food security, improving maternal health outcomes, helping millions access clean and safe drinking water globally, tackling rare disease research, and more.

More than 85,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide use AWS to increase their impact and advance mission goals. Through multiple programs tailored specifically to the nonprofit community, AWS enables nonprofits of all sizes to overcome barriers to technology adoption, while enhancing the scale, performance, and capabilities of mission operations.

For more information on the AWS IMAGINE Grant, visit aws.amazon.com/IMAGINE-grant

About OpenSecretsNonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the trusted authority on money in American politics. Its mission is to provide comprehensive and reliable data, analysis, and tools for policymakers, storytellers and citizens. Its vision is for Americans to use data on money in politics to create a more vibrant, representative and responsive democracy.

This article was originally published by OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that tracks money in politics. View the original article.

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OpenSecrets published this content on December 03, 2024, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 27, 2026 at 14:42 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]