InfluenceWatch, a project operated by the Capital Research Center, continues to update its database of advocacy groups, foundations, and donors that play a role in shaping public policy. The platform is designed to provide greater transparency into the funding sources, objectives, and relationships of these organizations.
According to the 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.”
Among the recent additions to InfluenceWatch is the Future Forward Education Fund. This organization supports Democratic Party candidates and policies through educational campaigns. It operates as a fiscally sponsored project under Our American Future Foundation (OAFF) and is associated with Future Forward USA Action and Future Forward PAC. Between 2023 and 2024, it received donations via OAFF from several foundations including Sherwood Foundation, Give Forward Foundation, Dallas Foundation, and Gill Foundation.
SEIU Local 500 has also been profiled. This local branch of the Service Employees International Union represents government and nonprofit workers in Maryland and Washington, D.C., including staff at organizations such as American Bridge, Democratic National Committee, Media Matters for America, Oxfam America, People for the American Way, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. SEIU Local 500 has endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Maryland like Ben Jealous in 2018 and Tom Perez during the 2022 primary.
Another addition is the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), which advocates for legal status pathways for undocumented immigrants as well as expanded rights for international migrants and refugees. Its funding sources include major foundations such as Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundations, MacArthur Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, World Bank, Arnold Ventures, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Ford Foundation, US Education Fund, Heising-Simons Foundation, and Walmart.
Volunteer Blue connects activists with Democratic-supporting organizations seeking volunteers. Managed by Together We Elect—a political action committee established for the Biden-Harris campaign—its partners include Indivisible Project (nationally and locally), American Family Voices, Blue Future, Field Team 6, Grassroots Democrats HQ, MoveOn, Movement Labs, They See Blue, and Voters of Tomorrow.
Lastly highlighted is Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG), an affiliate of U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US-PIRG). AKPIRG works on issues related to environmental policy as well as campaign finance reform and housing in Alaska. Its executive director Julia Hnilicka previously served as Alaska State Director at USDA’s Rural Development office. In 2024 AKPIRG provided grants to Cook Inletkeeper, Alaska Center, Native Movement and Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition.
The Capital Research Center states: “CRC is pleased to present some of the most significant additions to InfluenceWatch in the past week.”
