Think Tanks: Foundations and Research Institutes : Domestic and International

Founded in 2003, the center is "dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action.”

Founded in 1919, and formerly known as the Twentieth Century Fund, the foundation is “committed to the belief that a mix of effective government, open democracy, and free markets is the most effective solution to the major challenges facing the United States.”

Founded in 1963 and sometimes referred to as Washington's think tank on the left, the institute's purpose is to provide various social movements with the intellectual ammunition to transform “their moral passion into a sensible public policy.”

Founded in 1974, WorldWatch "focuses on the 21st-century challenges of climate change, resource degradation, population growth, and poverty by developing and disseminating solid data and innovative strategies for achieving a sustainable society.”

Founded in 1946, AIR's purpose is to "conduct and apply behavioral and social science research to improve people’s lives and well-being, with a special emphasis on the disadvantaged.” Issue areas include education, educational assessment, health, international development, and work and training.

Founded in 1950, its mission is "to foster values-based leadership…and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues.”

Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell, the center "drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation and respectful dialogue."

Founded in 1916, focuses on a wide variety of domestic and international issues.

Founded in 1981, the center is “focused on national infrastructure, national and homeland security and resilience issues.”

Founded in 1993 at Rice University, the institute has a goal of "bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy.”

Founded in 1999, the foundation offers “new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States" with an “emphasis on big ideas, impartial analysis and pragmatic solutions.”

Founded in 1952, the council "seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources.” Research areas include HIV and AIDS; poverty, gender, and youth; and reproductive health.

Founded in 1948, RAND “helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis.”

Founded in 1952, Resources for the Future "improves environmental and natural resource policymaking worldwide through objective social science research of the highest caliber.”

Established in 1968 by Act of Congress, the center “aims to unite the world of ideas to the world of policy by supporting pre-eminent scholarship and linking that scholarship to issues of concern to officials in Washington.”

Established in 1943 to promote the virtues free-market economics, AEI has since expanded into social issues and foreign affairs.

Founded in 1976 “to clarify and reinforce the bond between the Judeo-Christian moral tradition and the public debate over domestic and foreign policy issues.”

Founded in 1973, Heritage's mission is "to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.”

Founded in 1919 by Herbert Hoover, the Hoover Institute's primary mission is to reduce the role of government in economic affairs and promote U.S. national security interests.

Founded in 1961, Hudson is "dedicated to innovative research and analysis that promotes global security, prosperity, and freedom.”