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Center for American Progress
| Center for American Progress | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Affiliation: | Nonpartisan |
| Top official: | Neera Tanden, president and CEO |
| Founder(s): | John Podesta |
| Year founded: | 2003 |
| Website: | Official website |
The Center for American Progress (CAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C.[1]The group describes itself in July 2025 as "an independent, nonpartisan policy institute that is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action."[1] The center was founded in 2003.[1] The organization is affiliated with the Center for American Progress Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization.[2]
Background
CAP was founded in 2003 by John Podesta.[3] According to an article in The New York Times, the center was “intended to be a liberal counterweight to the heavyweight policy centers of the right, like the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute.”[4]
The Washington Post has referred to the organization as “the preeminent liberal think tank in Washington” and Politico called the center the “most influential think tank of the Biden era."[5][2]
The Center for American Progress has a staff of over 275 people as of July 2025 and its website says their aim is to "develop new policy ideas, challenge the media to cover the issues that truly matter, and shape the national debate."[6]
Leadership
Top staff
As of July 2025, the following individuals are leaders of the Center for American Progress:[7]
- Neera Tanden, president and CEO
- Stefan Romberg, chief development officer
- Stephanie Sutton, chief operating officer
- Joe Radosevich, interim executive director of the Center for American Progress Action Fund
- Kevin Metz, interim general counsel
Board of Directors
As of July 2025, the following individuals are on the CAP's board of directors:[8]
- Antony Blinken
- Julián Castro
- Steve Daetz
- Andrew Hauptman
- Molly McUsic
- Kristin Mugford
- John Podesta
- Donald Sussman
- Neera Tanden
- Hansjörg Wyss
Work and activities
Policy work
Researchers and analysts at the Center for American Progress work on six different departments covering a range of policy areas: education, energy and environment, inclusive growth, national security and international policy, rights and justice, and structural reform and government.[9] The center also hosts events on a range of issues.[10]
Generation Progress
Housed within the Center for American Progress is Generation Progress, which describes itself as of July 2025 as "a national advocacy and education organization that promotes progressive solutions to the political and social issues that matter to young people between the ages of 18 and 35."[11] Launched in 2005 as Campus Progress, the group changed its name to Generation Progress in 2013.[12]
The group produces reports and organizes on a range of issues, including climate change, gun violence prevention and student loan debt.[13]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Affiliations
The Center for American Progress Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that is affiliated with the Center for American Progress.[2]
The group works on many of the same issues as the Center for American Progress but has worked to meet with and lobby members of Congress on issues such as voting.[14] The Center for American Progress Action Fund reported spending $60,000 on lobbying costs in 2024.[15] It also hosts events with prominent left-leaning politicians.[16]
Finances
The following is a breakdown of the Center for American Progress' revenues and expenses for the 2020, 2021 and 2022 tax years, according to documents submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.
| Annual revenue and expenses for the Center for American Progress, 2020–2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2022[17] | $40,388,678 | $48,219,714 |
| 2021[17] | $50,471,917 | $50,323,994 |
| 2020[17] | $50,710,695 | $48,695,709 |
In 2024, the organization reported receiving 96% of its donations from individuals and foundations, 2.2% from labor unions, less than 1.4% from corporations and .3% from foreign governments.[18]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Center for American Progress. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- Center for American Progress website
- Center for American Progress Action Fund website
- Generation Progress website
- Center for American Progress social media
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Center for American Progress , “About Us,” accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Politico , "The most influential think tank of the Biden era has a new leader," June 30, 2021
- ↑ Center for American Progress , "John Podesta," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ The New York Times, “Self-made Philanthropists,” March 9, 2008
- ↑ The Washington Post, “Center for American Progress, poised to wield influence over 2016, reveals its top donors,” accessed June 26, 2015
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedAbout - ↑ Center for American Progress , "Staff and Fellows," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ [https://www.americanprogress.org/about-us/c3-board/ Center for American Progress , "Board of Directors," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ Center for American Progress , "Departments," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ Center for American Progress , "Events," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ Generation Progress , "About Us," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ Generation Progress , "Our Impact," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ Generation Progress , "Our Issues," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ Washington Post , "Fair Fight Action, CAP Action will bring people to D.C. to lobby lawmakers face-to-face for voting rights bills," July 29, 2021
- ↑ United States Senate Lobbying Disclosure , "Center for American Progress Action Fund," accessed July 29, 2025
- ↑ Center for American Progress Action Fund , "Events," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Internal Revenue Service, "Center for American Progress" accessed July 29, 2025
- ↑ "Center for American Progress." "Our Supporters," accessed July 29, 2025
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