Follow the Money: The Think Tank Funding Tracker w/ Ben Freeman & Nick Cleveland-Stout

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Apr 25, 2025

Guest

Nick Cleveland-Stout

Guest

Ben Freeman

Join Ben Freeman, an expert at the Quincy Institute, and researcher Nick Cleveland-Stout as they unravel the hidden web of funding behind influential think tanks. They discuss the Think Tank Funding Tracker, revealing how U.S. and foreign government contributions, plus defense contractor money, shape policy. Learn about conflicts of interest, the troubling lack of transparency, and how some think tanks influence U.S. foreign policy narratives. Their insights expose the implications of 'dark money' and advocate for accountability in policy-making.

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INSIGHT

Think Tanks' Funding Influence

Think tanks function as nonprofits engaged in policy research and advocacy.
Their significant funding often comes from donors with strong vested interests in policy outcomes.

INSIGHT

Think Tanks and Dark Money

Over a third of top think tanks disclose no funding information, earning them the label "dark money."
Even transparent think tanks often hide donor details, limiting public understanding of biases.

ADVICE

Encourage Funding Transparency

Think tanks should compete to increase transparency around their funding.
The Think Tank Funding Tracker offers a star rating system to encourage openness.

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On this edition of Parallax Views with J.G. Michael, we explore the powerful financial forces behind Washington D.C.’s most influential think tanks—and how those funding streams may shape U.S. foreign policy and defense strategy. Joining us are Ben Freeman and Nick Cleveland-Stout of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft to discuss their eye-opening project: the Think Tank Funding Tracker (TTFT).

The TTFT is designed to bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the world of policy influence, exposing the financial ties between think tanks and their funders. Specifically, we look at three major sources of funding:

U.S. government funding, led by the Department of Defense
Foreign government contributions, including major donors like Saudi Arabia and Qatar
Defense contractor money, with Northrop Grumman leading the charge

Think tanks play a vital role in shaping public policy through research, analysis, and recommendations. But as Ben and Nick explain, financial backing can create conflicts of interest and biases that may influence the narratives and policy prescriptions these institutions offer. Some think tanks rank high in transparency—others, particularly those with more hawkish foreign policy stances, score a troubling zero.

We also address the issue of “dark money” think tanks, declining public trust, and how the TTFT includes concrete policy recommendations to encourage better disclosure practices. The conversation highlights the need for vigilance in understanding who is funding the experts shaping public debate and decision-making.

One key case study we explore is the Atlantic Council, a major D.C. think tank whose funding sources exemplify the complex web of influence at play in the policy space.

If you’re interested in U.S. foreign policy, military-industrial complex dynamics, Middle East geopolitics, or political influence in Washington, this is a must-listen episode that breaks down the often unseen forces shaping global affairs.

For more information please read Quincy Brief #68: Big Ideas and Big Money: Think Tank Funding in America.