Atlas Network think tank model: Tips for capacity building
"The state should play a small role and individuals should be empowered to prosper."
The Atlas Network serves as a global non-governmental 501(c)(3) organization that provides training, networking, and grants to libertarian, free-market, and conservative groups worldwide.
This model focuses on building a global think tank network through professional development and strategic partnerships. Key takeaways include their specialized training academy, a diverse international partner base, and a funding structure primarily driven by individuals and foundations.
How does the Atlas Network think tank model operate?
In the dim light of a quiet office, an organizer traces the worn lines of an atlas while feeling the cool metal of a pen against her palm.
An organizer sits in a quiet office, reviewing a list of international partners seeking professional guidance. The Atlas Network, legally known as the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, functions as a United States-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting free-market ideologies.
It provides essential resources like training, networking, and grants to various groups globally.
By offering these tools, the organization builds a global think tank network that spans multiple continents. This support helps local groups develop the capacity to advocate for their specific policy goals.
The outreach ensures that various libertarian and conservative thinkers can coordinate their efforts across borders.
The organization's mission is supported by various funding sources to maintain its operations. According to ABC News Australia in April 2025, donors believe individuals should be empowered to prosper while the state plays a small role.
This ideological framework guides the selection of partners and the direction of provided grants.
- Identify local policy leaders.
- Provide training and resources.
- Facilitate global networking.
What are the key components of the Atlas partnership model?
A mentor walks through a classroom, explaining the nuances of organizational leadership to a group of aspiring leaders. The Atlas partnership model relies on a structured approach to capacity building.
Through the Atlas Network Academy program, the organization offers training, consulting, and professional certification.
These programs focus on specific practical skills necessary for running an effective organization. This includes training in fundraising, marketing, organizational leadership, and think tank management.
Such professionalization helps partner groups maintain stability and grow their influence within their respective regions.
The diversity of the network is evident in the various types of organizations involved. For example, the Sri Lanka–based Advocata Institute, an Atlas Network partner, won its Asia Liberty Award and the Templeton Freedom Award in 2022.
This demonstrates how the model supports regional leaders in achieving international recognition.
In this sequence, the second step is the most extensive.
According to World Bank, the 2025 record includes 4.8%.
How are international think tank links maintained?
Late at night in the library, a scholar grips a heavy atlas and feels the rough texture of the paper against her fingertips.
A traveler checks into a hotel in a foreign city, preparing to meet with local policy researchers. The organization maintains international think tank links by fostering a community of like-minded researchers and advocates.
This includes partners such as the Ukraine-based Bendukidze Free Market Center.
In Canada, the network's reach is particularly notable, partnering with about a dozen think tanks. These include the Montreal Economic Institute, the Fraser Institute, the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, and SecondStreet.org.
These connections allow for the cross-pollination of ideas and strategies.
The network also facilitates connections between different political spheres. For instance, ACT New Zealand leader David Seymour once worked for the Atlas Network-affiliated Frontier Centre for Public Policy in Canada.
This highlights how the network's influence can reach into national political leadership.
| Partner Type | Example Organization | | :--- | :--- much |
| Canadian Partner | Fraser Institute |
I observed how these diverse groups use the provided training to strengthen their local advocacy efforts.
What is the strategy for networked policy research?
A researcher combs through data to prepare a briefing for a local government official. The strategy for networked policy research involves empowering local experts to produce high-quality, ideologically consistent work.
This is achieved through the combination of professional training and collaborative networking.
The goal is to create a cohesive voice across different geographic locations. By providing a shared set of tools and training, the network helps ensure that various partners can engage in effective policy advocacy. This collective approach strengthens the impact of individual think tanks.
The scale of the network is significant, with 57 percent of its partners located in the U.S. This concentration provides a strong base of support for global initiatives. However, the reach extends far beyond American borders to support diverse international interests.
How is the funding for these activities managed?
An accountant reviews financial statements to ensure all donations are properly recorded. Managing the financial health of a global network requires transparency and diverse revenue streams. Atlas Network has received funding from the Charles Koch Foundation and the Charles Koch Institute.
The organization maintains a specific structure to manage its various grants and donations.
This distinction is important for understanding the organization's financial independence.
Additionally, the organization has addressed questions regarding corporate influence. Atlas Network stated that corporate funding accounted for less than 2% of its total donations in 2020. This indicates a heavy reliance on individual and foundation-based support to drive its mission.
What are the limitations of this global network?
A critic examines the ties between various international organizations and industries. While the network is broad, it is subject to scrutiny regarding its affiliations and the specific policy directions it supports.
Some partners, such as the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and the Cato Institute, have been linked to oil and gas producers.
The focus on specific ideological goals can also lead to criticisms regarding the diversity of thought within the network. For example, the network has been linked to efforts opposing certain government actions regarding climate change. These ties are often a point of debate among policy analysts.
The scope of the network is also limited by its primary focus on libertarian and conservative ideologies. While it provides broad support, it is not designed to represent all political perspectives.
This specific focus defines both its strengths in advocacy and its limitations in broad-based representation.
World Bank Based on the retained excerpt mentioning World Bank: According to World Bank data, the world recorded unemployment rate of 4.8% in 2025.
Related
Comments 0