Think Tanks

For a look at the role think tanks play in New York City and beyond, read Gotham Gazette's article, Think Tanks (3/31/03).

National And International Think Tanks Based In New York City

Asia Society - A non-profit organization seeking to foster understanding and communication between Americans and peoples of Asia and the Pacific.

Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs - Deals with the ethical questions raised by international issues such as armed conflict and tenvironmental protection.

Committee for Economic Development - An economic policy research group with ties to the business community.

Council on Foreign Relations - Fosters debate, education and action regarding U.S. foreign policy. It also publishes Foreign Affairs.

Demos - Strives to strengthen participatory democracy on the national level through issue advocacy and reform on issues such as voting rights.

National Jobs for all Coalition - A think tank dedicated to full employment

North American Congress on Latin America - An independent organization that analyzes trends in Latin America and its economic, political, and social relations with the United States.

Planners Network - The national organization of progressive urban planners and community activists, founded in 1975, publishes Planners Network: The Magazine of Progressive Planning four times a year. Selected articles from back issues and other working papers are on the web site. Membership is affordable and open to all, and members receive the Magazine free.

Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force - Creates strategies to advance the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

Population Council - Established by John D. Rockefeller in 1952, the Population Council works to address problems caused by population growth.

Pride Senior Network - Through research and advocacy, this group encourages services for aging gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

Russell Sage Foundation - Publishes reports on a wide range of policy issues such as the decline of low-skilled workers in advanced economies to cultural contact between different ethnic groups in society.

Social Science Research Council - Since 1923, has used social sciences as a window to tackle topics like human sexuality and globalization.

The Century Foundation - A center-left organization built around debunking what it considers conservative myths about politics and the economy.

The Conference Board - A business-oriented group that conducts research on management issues and marketplaces.

The Manpower Research Demonstration Group - Works to include the needs of low-income people in public policies and programs. Their latest work includes studies on welfare to work programs and community colleges.

The National Center for Children in Poverty - Develops and promotes policies to prevent child poverty in the United States.

The Van Alen Insitute - Public architecture group that runs workshops and competitions.

World Policy Institute - An affiliate of the New School University dealing with international political and economic affairs.

Think Tanks With A Focus On New York Issues

American Planning Association: New York Metro Chapter - Strong job and event listings for tri-state area planners. Metro Chapter is a professional membership group.

Center for Urban Research - A wing of CUNY concerned with trends in urban environments like New York City.

Center for an Urban Future - Journalistic reporting and policy analysis presented in a journalistic style. The group's main focus is the economic development of New York City, with current projects on how certain industries can be developed and on state fiscal policy.

Citizen's Committee for Children - Interested in the health, education and financial safety of New York's children.

Citizens Budget Commission - The Citizens Budget Commission is a 67-year old nonpartisan, nonprofit civic organization devoted to influencing constructive change in the finances and services of New York City and New York State government. Their no-nonsense (and no frills) site has all of their latest press releases, reports and findings.

City Project - City budgets. CP's Big Apple Budget School runs workshops on major NYC budget and policy issues. CP's advocacy arm -- Alterbudget -- targets specific policy proposals.

Community Food Resource Center - Founded in 1980 to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to nutritious food.

Community Service Society of New York - Dedicated to fighting poverty, and providing for the needs of the City's poor. Useful publications, analysis of City policies and information on their speakers' bureau.

Drum Major Institute - Originally founded as a civil rights organization in the 1960s, the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy was recently reborn to advocate and research social and economic issues.

Fiscal Policy Institute - A nonpartisan research and education organization that strives to increase understanding of issues that affect the quality of life and economic well-being of New York state residents. Established in 1991 by labor, religious, human services, good government and community organizations.

Five Borough Institute - A populist think tank that advocates progressive public policies in New York City.

Good Jobs New York - Advances policies holding government officials and corporations accountable to taxpayers, especially in terms of exposing large employers who threaten to leave an area without increased public subsidies.

Manhattan Institute - Political think tank that publishes the quarterly City Journal. Generally controversial and always interesting.

New Democracy Project - The group, founded by former Public Advocate Mark Green, is concerned with creating a more educated democracy. Now in its formative stages, the think tank runs a monthly organizing meeting for liberal policy advocates in New York.

New York Industrial Retention Network - A think tank working to strengthen manufacturing in New York City.

Regional Plan Association - The independent planning organization that has been making recommendations for 80 years on region-wide policy and infrastructure needs, including open space and natural resource protection, transportation, community design, the workforce, and, most recently, through the Civic Alliance, the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan.

Taub Urban Research Center - The Taub Urban Research Center at NYU's Wagner School explores issues and challenges affecting cities and metropolitan regions. The Center issues reports and conducts forums that include participants from government, business, nonprofit organizations, and the academic community.