InfluenceWatch, a project managed by the Capital Research Center, serves as an extensive resource detailing advocacy groups, foundations, and donors involved in shaping public policy. The platform aims to provide greater transparency into the funding sources, motivations, and networks of these influencers.
According to Capital Research Center, “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.”
Recent updates to InfluenceWatch include profiles on several organizations:
Power to Decide is highlighted as an advocacy group focused on expanding access to abortion and contraceptive coverage for women. In 2019, its supporters included the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As of 2026, it has also received support from organizations such as the JPB Foundation (now called Freedom Together Foundation), Merck, Google, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Plan B One-Step, and PRJKT Ruby.
The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is described as a public-private partnership supporting various civic initiatives within New York City. Its Form 990 for the period ending June 2024 shows $455,822 spent on both in-kind and monetary donations for programs including AmeriCorps. Major donors have included the Rockefeller Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and MacArthur Foundation.
Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) is recognized as an environmental activist group that mobilizes faith-based communities across Georgia to advocate for environmentally focused policies such as increased solar energy adoption and opposition to traditional energy projects like natural gas pipelines. Its funding comes from entities including the Kendeda Fund, United States Energy Foundation, Rural Climate Partnership, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Dogwood Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Winward Fund.
The Opportunity Network—also known as OppNet—operates in New York City providing job training and educational services specifically for ethnic-minority communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic it launched a program called Uninterrupted with support from funders such as the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, AT&T, Salesforce Foundation, and Coach Foundation. Other backers include Meta, MetLife Foundation, LinkedIn, Pinkerton Foundation, Goldman Sachs, and Hirsch Family Foundation.
The Munathara Initiative works to foster debate on policy issues affecting the Middle East and North Africa. Its financial supporters have included Swiss Development Corporation; Germany’s Federal Foreign Office; George Soros’s Open Society Foundations; National Endowment for Democracy; European Commission; and Danish-Arab Partnership Programme.
“The website offers transparency into these influencers’ funding, motives, and connections while providing insight often neglected by other watchdog groups,” according to Capital Research Center.
