12. Progressive Infrastructure Organizations

12.1. General Progressive Policy Groups

Institute for Policy Studies (IPS)
A multi-issue think tank working for peace, justice, and the environment.
Demos
Conducts original research and builds networks of civic and economic reformers around the United States to strengthen democracy and create more broadly shared prosperity.
Center for American Progress (CAP)
A think tank dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through ideas and action and using a modern communications platform to help shape the national debate, expose the hollowness of conservative governing philosophy, and challenge the media to cover the issues that truly matter.
Generation Progress
Works with and for young people to promote progressive solutions to key political and social challenges. Formerly Campus Progress.
Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP)
Helps states and localities implement creative and effective strategies that strengthen disadvantaged communities and families and will ensure that children grow up healthy, safe, successful in school, and ready for productive adulthood.
Drum Major Institute for Public Policy (DMI)
Seeks to change policy by conducting research into overlooked, but important social and economic issues, by engaging policymakers and opinion leaders, and by offering platforms to amplify the ideas of those who are working for social and economic fairness.
Century Foundation
Conducts public policy research and analyses of economic, social, and foreign policy issues, including inequality, retirement security, election reform, media studies, homeland security, and international affairs.
Citizen Works
Founded by Ralph Nader in April 2001 to advance justice by strengthening citizen participation and giving people the tools and opportunities they need to build democracy.
Roosevelt Institute
A policy organization devoted to carrying forward the legacy and values of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt by developing progressive ideas and bold leadership in the service of restoring America’s health and security.
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12.2. General Legal Support Groups

Alliance for Justice
A national association of environmental, civil rights, mental health, women’s, children’s, and consumer advocacy organizations working to advance the cause of justice for all Americans, strengthen the public interest community’s ability to influence public policy, and foster the next generation of advocates.
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12.3. Progressive Training and Education Groups

Also see 6.7. Community Organizing Groups

Training for Change
Drawing on the expertise and wisdom of the participants, spreads activist skills for engaging in democratic, strategic nonviolent social change to groups standing up for justice, peace, and the environment.
Green Corps
Recruits and trains organizers, provides field support for today’s critical environmental campaigns, and graduates activists who possess the skills, temperament and commitment needed to fight and win tomorrow’s environmental battles.
Midwest Academy
Teaches an organizing philosophy, methods, and skills that enable ordinary people to actively participate in the democratic process, build organizations, and engage in the struggle for social, economic, and racial justice.
Momentum
A training institute and movement incubator that fuses the strengths of structure-based organizing and mass protest to seed a new tradition of organizing in the United States.
The BlackOUT Collective
Provides training and on-the-ground support to activists and organiziers who are looking to execute creative and effective direct actions in service to their work.
Grassroots Power Project (GPP)
Works with organizations, alliances, and labor to change their organizational priorities, practices, and culture to be more strategic and achieve transformational social change.
Highlander Research and Education Center
Gathers workers, grassroots leaders, community organizers, educators, and researchers to inform each other and address the most pressing social, environmental, and economic problems facing the people of the South.
Antioch University New England: Environmental Advocacy and Organizing Program (EAOP)
Offers activist training for people seeking to work as public interest advocates and grassroots organizers.
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12.4. Progressive Foundations

Resist Foundation
Funds activist organizing and education work within movements for social change.
Tides Foundation
A mission-driven public charity committed to positive social change.
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12.5. Progressive Groups Monitoring Foundations

National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP)
Advocates for the philanthropic community to provide nonprofit organizations with essential resources and opportunities to work toward social and economic justice for disadvantaged and disenfranchised populations and communities.
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12.6. Other Progressive Support Groups

CREDO
Donates $150,000 monthly to progressive organizations using revenue from the mobile phone company CREDO Mobile and long-distance phone company Working Assets.
Hip Hop Caucus
Connects the Hip Hop community to the civic process to build power and create positive change.
Voices for Progress
Galvanizes the advocacy of business leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and other prominent individuals who unite to champion a healthy climate and environment, strengthen our democracy, and ensure economic and social justice for all.
Brave New Films
Champions social justice issues by developing and distributing short videos to inspire, empower, motivate and teach civic participation that makes a difference.
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