What defines a "dark money" group?

A "dark money" group is defined as an organization that can spend unlimited funds on political activities without disclosing the identities of its donors. This lack of transparency is a significant feature of dark money groups, which often operate through entities like 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations or 501(c)(6) trade associations. Because they are not required to disclose their donors, these groups can receive and allocate funds in ways that are not easily traceable to specific individuals or entities, contributing to concerns about the influence of undisclosed funding in politics.

In contrast, groups that fall under other classifications must comply with regulations that typically require donor disclosure or are funded by taxpayer money, which is not characteristic of dark money groups. Furthermore, while some organizations may only be active during elections, that is not a defining feature of dark money groups; their primary characteristic revolves around the anonymity of their financial backers.