InfluenceWatch, a project by the Capital Research Center (CRC), serves as an extensive resource for understanding the various advocacy groups, foundations, and donors involved in influencing public policy. The platform aims to provide transparency regarding these entities’ funding, motives, and connections.
The information gathered by InfluenceWatch is intended to aid news outlets and other parties in reporting on significant topics often overlooked by the American public. CRC has recently highlighted some noteworthy additions to InfluenceWatch over the past week.
One of these additions is New Yorkers for Equal Rights, a state-level coalition that supported New York Proposal 1 during the 2024 election. This ballot measure sought to amend the state’s Constitution to prevent discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and reproductive health decisions. The coalition’s executive committee included representatives from several activist groups and labor unions such as 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, 32BJ SEIU, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, ACLU, New York State United Teachers, and New York Immigration Coalition. Significant contributors included the New York Civil Liberties Union and the National Institute for Reproductive Health.
Another addition is The Lemelson Foundation, founded by inventor Jerome “Jerry” Lemelson and his wife Dorothy. It focuses on funding innovation education, entrepreneurship, and environmentalism. Eric Lemelson serves as vice president while Robert Lemelson holds the position of president; Robert Schnieder acts as executive director. The foundation has previously provided grants to institutions like Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Capital Pride Alliance is also featured on InfluenceWatch. This advocacy group organizes LGBT events including Washington D.C.’s annual Capital Pride event. Its campaign “Still We Advocate” aims to end systemic discrimination and violence while promoting resources from organizations such as LGBTQ Victory Fund, Ford Foundation, and National Center for Transgender Equality.
Project Censored claims it researches under-reported news stories while providing literacy training against media censorship. It forms part of the National Coalition Against Censorship alongside members like ACLU and Planned Parenthood Federation of America among others.
Finally featured is The Tiger Foundation which funds academic training along with community services within New York City areas; its late founder Julian Robertson Jr., was committed through Giving Pledge towards charity initiatives during his lifetime. In 2023 alone it granted over $11 million supporting entities including Center for Justice Innovation among others listed above.