Atlas_Economic_Research_Foundation

Atlas Network, formerly known as Atlas Economic Research Foundation, is a non-governmental 501(c)(3) organization based in the United States that provides training, networking, and grants for libertarian, free-market, and conservative groups around the world.Atlas Network was founded in 1981 by Antony Fisher, a British entrepreneur, who wanted to create a means to connect various think tanks via a global network. Described as "a think tank that creates think tanks," the organization partners with nearly 600 independent organizations in over 100 countries. It has been associated with free-market causes favorable to the tobacco and fossil fuel industries, from which it has accepted some donations.Notable members of Atlas Network include think tanks such as the Institute of Economic Affairs in the United Kingdom; the Cato Institute, Heartland Institute, Heritage Foundation, American Legislative Exchange Council, Manhattan Institute, Pacific Research Institute, and Acton Institute in the United States; the Fraser Institute and MacDonald-Laurier Institute in Canada; the Centre for Independent Studies in Australia; and the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.