PragerU facts for kids
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| Formation | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Founders |
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| Type | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
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Area served
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United States |
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CEO
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Marissa Streit |
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Revenue (2021)
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$56,600,000 |
| Expenses (2021) | $32,900,000 |
|
Staff (2021)
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97 |
The Prager University Foundation, known as PragerU, is an American nonprofit group. It creates videos that share conservative ideas on different topics. These topics include politics, money, and how society works.
PragerU was started in 2009 by Allen Estrin and Dennis Prager. Even though its name includes "university," it is not a real school. It does not offer degrees or classes. Some people have said that PragerU's videos contain information that is not correct. This includes topics like climate change and parts of history.
About PragerU
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PragerU was founded in 2009. Dennis Prager and Allen Estrin started it to share conservative views. They wanted to balance what they saw as liberal ideas in colleges. Marissa Streit became the chief executive officer in 2011.
The founders first thought about building a physical university. But they decided to make it a digital platform instead. This saved money and allowed them to reach more people online.
PragerU is located in Los Angeles, California. In 2020, it had about 50 employees. PragerU encourages students to join "PragerFORCE." This group helps promote PragerU's videos and ideas. By 2020, about 6,500 students were part of this group.
It is important to remember that PragerU is not a traditional school. It does not hold classes or give out diplomas. It is also not approved by any official education group.
PragerU's Videos
PragerU makes many videos on different subjects. These videos share a conservative point of view. As of 2023, its YouTube channel had over 2,200 videos. Each video costs a lot to make. Dennis Prager himself checks and approves every video script.
Many of PragerU's popular videos are called "5-Minute Videos." These videos quickly explain topics about money, politics, and culture. Many of them talk about subjects that people often disagree on.
For example, PragerU videos have argued against raising the minimum wage to $15. They have also argued against more gun control. They support capitalism, which is an economic system. PragerU also supports Israel.
Some people have criticized PragerU's videos. They say the videos contain misleading information. This includes topics like slavery, racism in the United States, and immigration.
Climate Change and Energy
Many PragerU videos talk about fossil fuels. They also criticize renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. These videos often question the scientific consensus on climate change. Some ads from PragerU have suggested that concerns about climate change are not real. They claim these concerns are just a way to gain "big government control."
School Programs
By 2015, PragerU started programs to share its views in schools. These programs are for both public and private schools. The "Educator Program" gives teachers lesson plans and study guides. These materials go along with PragerU's videos.
In 2023, Florida became the first state to officially accept PragerU as an education provider. The Florida Department of Education approved PragerU's materials. They said the materials fit the state's civics and government standards. This means teachers in Florida public schools can use PragerU videos in their classrooms. Some people are concerned about this decision. They worry that students might be exposed to extreme or incorrect information.
Finances
PragerU relies on donations to make its videos. Much of its early money came from billionaires who made money from hydraulic fracturing. Other large donors include foundations and wealthy individuals.
In 2018, PragerU had a budget of about $10 million each year. It spent more than 40% of this money on marketing. In 2021, PragerU reported that it received about $57 million in donations. It spent about $33 million that year. PragerU often spends a lot on advertising on platforms like Facebook. In 2019, it was among the top 10 political spenders on Facebook.
See also
In Spanish: PragerU para niños
