At The Trace, we’re building the only team of journalists exclusively dedicated to reporting on our country’s gun violence crisis. We use the power of journalism to improve public understanding, increase accountability, and identify solutions that can lead to safer homes and communities for all Americans.
Why We Started This Site
Every year in our country, a firearm is used in nearly 500,000 crimes, resulting in the deaths and injuries of more than 110,000 people. Shootings devastate families and communities and drain billions of dollars from local, state, and federal governments. Meanwhile, the problem of gun violence has been compounded by another: the shortage of knowledge about the issue.
We believe that when an issue is shrouded by a knowledge gap, journalism can be a big part of the solution. As a nonprofit newsroom, The Trace is able to dedicate itself to in-depth reporting that doesn’t let up after the latest high-profile shooting leaves the front pages.
Partnerships
We’re grateful to the journalists whose work has informed and inspired ours, and eager to be an ally to other newsrooms whose stories touch our beat. We have partnered with more than 300 national and local media organizations.
We’re always looking to start new partnerships. Please contact us to discuss a possible collaboration or inquire about republishing Trace articles.
Our Supporters
The Trace is committed to transparency in every aspect of our funding. We rely on support from individuals, organizations, and foundations to help with our general operations, coverage of specific topics, and special projects. Our donor transparency policy includes a list of donors giving more than $1,000 and a link to our most recent Form 990 tax filing.
Editorial Independence
The Trace maintains a firewall between our news coverage decisions and all sources of revenue. This separation ensures that financial support does not present a conflict of interest for our journalism or compromise our editorial independence. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their positions.
Get In Touch
We welcome reader questions, feedback, and constructive criticism. We love working with partner organizations. And we’re also interested in hearing from experienced investigative journalists, photographers, videographers, and data experts.
Colophon
The Trace was designed and built by Upstatement — first in 2015 and again in 2020. It’s powered by open source software including WordPress. Our typography palette is Aktiv Grotesk, Reckless Neue, Spezia Mono, and Tiempos.