InfluenceWatch Friday

InfluenceWatch, a project of Capital Research Center, is a comprehensive and ever-evolving compilation of our research into the numerous advocacy groups, foundations, and donors working to influence the public policy process. The website offers transparency into these influencers’ funding, motives, and connections while providing insight often neglected by other watchdog groups.

The information compiled in InfluenceWatch gives news outlets and other interested parties research to use in reporting on significant topics that are often overlooked by the American public.

CRC is pleased to present some of the most significant additions to InfluenceWatch in the past week:

• United for a New Economy is a Colorado-based nonprofit that advocates for left-of-center policies such as housing that “socially owned” and “permanently affordable.” According to its website, it is affiliated with the national networks PowerSwitch Action, Center for Popular Democracy, and Right to the City. United for a New Economy has received funding from the Colorado Health Foundation, Community Change, Rose Community Foundation, and the Merle Chambers Fund.
• Idaho Freedom Foundation is a right-of-center think tank that promotes libertarian and conservative policies. It is a state affiliate of the State Policy Network, a group of nonprofits that advocate in favor of similar right-of-center policies at the state level. The Idaho Freedom Foundation has received funding from DonorsTrust, Donor Advised Charitable Giving, the Adolph Coors Foundation, the Roe Foundation, and the Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund.
• Victoria’s Voice Foundation is an organization that provides support for drug prevention services through educational programs and policy advocacy. The group was founded by Jackie and David Siegel in 2019. It is named after their daughter, Victoria Siegel, who died in 2015 from a drug overdose. Groups that have funded the organization include the Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust, Donor Advised Charitable Giving, the National Christian Charitable Foundation, and The Signatry.
• Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) is an international coalition of organizations that support left-of-center climate policies. MPP was formed between 2019-2020 through a collaboration between the Energy Transitions Commission, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), the We Mean Business Coalition, and the World Economic Forum before launching in 2021 with initial funding coming from the Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Breakthrough Energy. The group has also received funding from Donor Advised Charitable Giving, the ClimateWorks Foundation, the Sequoia Climate Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
• CERGE-El Foundation is a New York City-based organization that provides funding and support to the Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education – Economics Institute (CERGE-EI) in Prague, Czech Republic. The Foundation’s president and CEO is Tony Claudino, who previously worked at the Institute of International Education. The CERGE-EI Foundation has received funding from DonorsTrust, the National Philanthropic Trust, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund.