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Atlas Network (Atlas Economic Research Foundation)

Annual Giving
$7.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,600,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 1-2 months from application deadline
  • Grant Range: $500 - $100,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: International (100+ countries worldwide)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.atlasnetwork.org/

Address: Two Liberty Center, 4075 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22203

Phone: 202-449-8449

Email:

Application Portal: https://apply.atlasnetwork.org/

Overview

Atlas Network (operating as Atlas Economic Research Foundation, EIN 94-2763845) was founded in 1981 by British entrepreneur Antony Fisher to connect free-market think tanks via a global network. The organization officially adopted the Atlas Network trade name in 2013. In 2023, Atlas Network received over $28 million from donors and distributed $7.6 million in grants to partners across 173 awards. As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Atlas Network does not accept government funding and is not endowed—all programs depend on private philanthropy. The organization has grown from 15 think tanks in nine countries in the mid-1980s to partnering with nearly 600 organizations in over 100 countries by 2024. Atlas Network provides training, networking opportunities, and grants to organizations promoting individual freedom, free markets, and limited government worldwide. Under CEO Brad Lips (who joined in 1998 and became CEO in 2009), the organization's budget has more than doubled and its global reach has significantly expanded.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Atlas Network offers multiple competitive grant programs reviewed three times annually. Organizations may submit a maximum of two applications per grant cycle.

Core Grant Programs:

  • Public Policy Advocacy Grant: Supports concrete policy change initiatives (typical amounts vary by scope)
  • Engaging Hearts & Minds Grant: Funds projects to transform public attitudes (typical amounts vary by scope)
  • Organizational Capacity Grant: Builds institutional strength (typical amounts vary by scope)

Specialized Grant Programs:

  • Think Tank Startup Fund: Up to $100,000 over three years for promising young organizations (partner organizations founded in the last five years eligible)
  • Open Category Fund: For projects not fitting other categories (typically $2,000-$5,000)
  • International Student Project Grants: Approximately $500
  • Translation Grants: Approximately $5,000
  • Lights, Camera, Liberty: 10 winners receive $5,000 for film projects
  • Illiberalism Grants: Typically under $10,000, rarely exceeds $20,000
  • JUMP Grants: Approximately $15,000 suggested
  • Economic Freedom Audit Grants: $15,000
  • Poverty and Freedom Grants: Suggested range $20,000-$35,000
  • Global Voices for Open Trade Grants: Six grants of $32,000 annually

Award Programs:

  • Templeton Freedom Award: Winner receives $150,000; five finalists receive $30,000 each (total $410,000 annually, application deadline November 30)
  • Smart Bets Program: Ten organizations annually receive $25,000 grant plus $10,000 matching grant
  • Regional Liberty Awards: Four regional awards (Europe, Latin America, North America, Asia) as part of Templeton competition
  • Think Tank Shark Tank: $15,000 prize at each Regional Liberty Forum

Application deadlines: January 6, February 1, June 1, October 1 (three to four grant cycles annually)

Priority Areas

Atlas Network grants fund coaching, networking, pitch competitions, award programs, and "ambitious projects for policy change." Priority areas include:

  • Criminal justice system reform
  • Removing occupational licensing barriers
  • Monitoring and reducing regulatory red tape
  • Advancing school choice for children and families
  • Promoting free trade
  • Economic freedom advancement
  • Fighting illiberalism
  • Poverty reduction through freedom-based approaches

What They Don't Fund

  • Atlas Network does not accept or distribute government funding
  • Project timelines exceeding 18 months are typically not supported (projects are typically 3-18 months)
  • Specific restrictions on grant use are communicated in grant agreements

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership:

  • Chair: Montgomery Brown
  • Recent board additions include Laura Ann Spencer (November 2023) and Parth Shah, founder of Centre for Civil Society (December 2021)
  • Former Chair: The late Linda Whetstone (daughter of founder Antony Fisher)

Executive Leadership:

  • CEO: Brad Lips (joined 1998, CEO since 2009)

Brad Lips on Atlas Network's mission: "In repressive societies, we invest in those who have the guts and ingenuity to challenge dictators peacefully, and who seek to secure their fundamental human and political rights. In more open societies, we support citizens working to strengthen institutions and processes essential for free and prosperous democracies."

Organizational Governance:

  • Board of Directors
  • Global Council of CEOs
  • Council of Mentors
  • Advisory Council

Lips has articulated the organization's strategic philosophy through a Milton Friedman quote: Atlas Network works "to develop alternatives to existing policies, to keep them alive until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility: Organizations must be Atlas Network partners or apply to become one prior to submitting grant proposals. To apply for partnership, contact Hunter Rauch (Hunter.Rauch@AtlasNetwork.org) or use the "Become a Partner" page. Partnership requires commitment to advancing individual liberty and free markets.

Application Process:

  1. Log in to the Grants Portal at https://apply.atlasnetwork.org/
  2. Select appropriate grant application
  3. Indicate which funding topic best aligns with your initiative (or select "Open Category Fund" if none fit)
  4. Submit no more than two applications per grant cycle

Application Components:

  • Outputs and Outcomes: "One of the most important sections"—must be specific and measurable. Outputs are strategic activities/products; outcomes are results showing evidence of success
  • Project Budget: Detailed line-by-line budget breakdown indicating which components Atlas Network funds will cover and which will be covered by other sources
  • Project Timeline: Chronological breakdown (typically 3-18 months) with output deadlines and external dates relevant to success
  • For Think Tank Startup Fund: Must include written business plan with financial projections, fundraising plans, and budget

Strong Candidates: For Think Tank Startup Fund, completing Atlas Network Academy courses (Think Tank Fundamentals and Think Tank Theory & Practice) strengthens applications.

Decision Timeline

  • Review Period: 1-2 months from application deadline
  • Notification: Grants Committee sends final decision directly to applicants
  • Applications reviewed three times annually at minimum

Success Rates

Atlas Network does not publicly disclose acceptance rates or success rate percentages. According to their FAQ, they receive more worthy proposals than they can fund: "With modest resources available for grants, we can only fund a fraction of the worthy proposals we receive." Grant funding depends on annual fundraising as Atlas Network is not an endowed organization.

Reapplication Policy

Atlas Network does not publish a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are allowed to submit up to two applications per grant cycle, suggesting reapplication is possible, but no waiting period or restriction details are publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Based on Atlas Network's published guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

Critical Success Elements:

  1. Strong Outputs and Outcomes: Atlas Network emphasizes this as "one of the most important sections." Outputs must be "specific and measurable," describing strategic activities critically important to achieving success. Outcomes must provide "indicators that show evidence that you achieved success."

  2. Solid Grant Reporting History: "Late reporting is taken into serious consideration when making grant decisions, and the grants committee frequently chooses not to fund an otherwise strong application due to the applicant's consistently late or unimpressive grant reporting track record." This suggests reporting reliability matters as much as proposal quality for returning applicants.

  3. Detailed Budget and Timeline: Provide line-by-line budget breakdowns showing what Atlas Network funds will cover versus other funding sources. Timelines should be chronological with specific output deadlines.

For Templeton Freedom Award applicants:

  • Demonstrate "tangible and meaningful victories"
  • Show how your team's "actions, expertise, and values directly contributed to the achievement of the desired results"
  • Provide "evidence of external validation and recognition, such as endorsements, accolades, or praise from respected experts"
  • Present an "innovative approach and strategy to advance individual freedom and free markets"

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • Lebanese Institute for Market Studies (LIMS): "Turn the Lights on in Lebanon" campaign introducing competition into state-owned electrical sector
  • Foundation for Economic Education (FEE): "How We Thrive Docuseries"
  • "Made in Mékhé" video featuring Magatte Wade

For Startup Organizations: Goals should center on "institutional growth, including expanding fundraising, reach, and programs capacity." Share a comprehensive business plan alongside the application.

Strategic Alignment: Brad Lips states Atlas Network seeks organizations that can "challenge dictators peacefully" in repressive societies and "strengthen institutions and processes essential for free and prosperous democracies" in open societies.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Partnership is prerequisite: You must become an Atlas Network partner before applying for most grants (exceptions: Think Tank Startup, International Student Project, and Translation grants)
  • Quality over quantity: Limit to two applications per cycle—submit only your highest priority projects
  • Outcomes are king: The "Outputs and Outcomes" section is identified as the most critical component; make it specific, measurable, and results-focused
  • Report on time, every time: Grant reporting history significantly impacts future funding decisions; late or poor reporting can disqualify otherwise strong proposals
  • Timeline matters: Projects typically run 3-18 months; plan accordingly and provide detailed chronological breakdowns
  • Match their language: Use terminology like "advancing individual freedom," "free markets," "limited government," and "policy change" that aligns with Atlas Network's mission
  • Multiple funding streams available: Beyond standard project grants ($2,000-$5,000), explore specialized programs ($15,000-$32,000) and awards ($30,000-$150,000) that may better fit your work
  • Fast decision turnaround: At 1-2 months, Atlas Network's review timeline is relatively quick compared to many funders—plan your project launch dates accordingly

References

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