This statement was updated on September 12th, 2014. Click here to read the most recent statement.
Washington, D.C. – The New York Times published an article today examining foreign government funding of US think tanks. The article raised questions concerning the nature of funding we receive from Norway to increase US and international support for reducing tropical deforestation in developing countries.
CGD is an independent, nonprofit research organization that works to reduce global poverty and inequality. We are proud of our research and policy engagement, including our work on financing mechanisms for tropical forest conservation. This work aims to promote development, reduce poverty, and limit deforestation-related greenhouse gas emissions that are a significant factor in human-caused climate change. We are pleased that our prior work on these important issues has recently attracted support from Norway.
We are fully transparent about all of our funding sources. CGD is one of only two US think tanks to earn the maximum possible five-star rating in the 2014 rankings by Transparify, which assesses think tank transparency. Transparify wrote that CGD and other think tanks that won the top rating “use their websites to disclose in great detail who funds them, with what sums, and for what research projects. They set the gold standard for the field as a whole.” CGD’s “How We’re Funded” page lists all grants, gifts and contracts that are greater than 1% of our annual budget, including our support from Norway.
CGD is of course committed to compliance with all relevant legal requirements. We are reviewing our procedures with the help of outside counsel.
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The Center for Global Development is private nonprofit organization that works to reduce global poverty and inequality through rigorous research and active engagement with the policy community to make the world a more prosperous, just, and safe place for all people. The policies and practices of the rich and the powerful—in rich nations, as well as in the emerging powers, international institutions, and global corporations—have significant impacts on the world’s poor people. We aim to improve these policies and practices through research and policy engagement to expand opportunities, reduce inequalities, and improve lives everywhere.
For inquiries: Lauren Post, 202.416.4040