SW 340 Advocacy for Policy Change: Policy & Advocacy Groups
Think Tank Search
Think tanks are institutions or organizations that are affiliated with universities, governments, advocacy groups, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and businesses that generate public policy research, analysis, and activity. (Harvard Kennedy School, Library & Knowledge Services)
- Think Tank SearchThink Tank Search is a custom Google search of over 690 think tank websites.
National Research and Advocacy Groups
Research and advocacy institutes are often known as "think tanks". A think tank is an organization that conducts research and advocates in areas such as social policy. Think tank reports are another useful way to pursue research on policy issues.
Search across many think tanks/research institutes:
Here are a few selected national think tanks/research institutes that work in areas relevant to social welfare:
- Annie E. Casey Foundation
- Cato Institute (conservative leaning)
- Center for American Progress (liberal leaning)
- Center for Responsive Politics (neutral)
- Center for the Study of Social Policy (liberal leaning)
- Heritage Foundation (conservative leaning)
- Pew Research Center (neutral)
- RAND Corporation (neutral)
- Urban Institute (liberal leaning)
Congressional Research Service
Want a good overview of current and past federal policies? See if there's a Congressional Research Service report! CRS is the public policy research arm of Congress. This legislative branch agency works exclusively for Members of Congress, their committees and their staffs.
- Every CRS ReportEveryCRSReport.com is a project of Demand Progress in collaboration with the Congressional Data Coalition — a bipartisan coalition founded by Demand Progress and the R Street Institute to promote open legislative information.
Oregon Research and Advocacy Groups
Search across Oregon policy related organizations:
Links to selected organizations, go to the Oregon Policy Directory for more:
- Oregon Center for Public Policy (liberal leaning)
- Cascade Policy Institute (conservative leaning)
- Western States Center (liberal leaning)
Local Organizations
The following are just a few examples of local organizations working in specific areas of public policy. The Oregon Policy Directory also has a list of many organizations: Oregon Policy Directory
- Community Alliance of TenantsStatewide grassroots, tenant-controlled, tenant-rights organization
- National Alliance on Mental Illness of OregonOregon chapter of NAMI
Need More?
If you are looking for research and advocacy organizations in other states or local areas, Google is your best bet. Just be sure to view the websites with a critical eye and determine how legitimate they are. For example, does the organization list their staff and their creditials? Do their reports have scholarly references or do they just cite themselves or popular media?