Major Research Groups Are Given Low Marks on Disclosing Donors
WASHINGTON – The conservative-leaning Hoover Institution, based in California, and the liberal Center for American Progress,
based in Washington, are polar opposites in terms of political
leanings. But according to a first-of-its-kind survey of the world’s
most prominent research organizations, the institutions share an
important trait: a relatively poor record of disclosing the sources of
their financing.
The two organizations, along with other major players in Washington such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Hudson Institute,
each earned just one star out of a possible five in the survey, to be
made public on Wednesday, an advance copy of which was provided to The
New York Times.
-snip-
Major research organizations around the world – including at least half a dozen in the United States like the Washington-based Stimson Center, which focuses on foreign policy, and the Center for Global Development,
which combats poverty worldwide – have taken steps in recent months to
avoid a poor ranking by disclosing more information about their funding
sources on their websites.
“The Transparify project has been useful in prompting some reflection
about how Stimson can best provide this information in a way that honors
consumers of Stimson’s analysis and the donors who support our work,”
Cheryl L. Ramp, the chief operating officer at the center, said after
the 25-year-old group revealed, for the first time, a full list of its institutional and foundation donors.
To read the full story, click here.