The Chicago Council on Global Affairs

What The Chicago Council on Global Affairs does

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit organization founded in 1922 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It conducts policy research, public opinion polling, expert analysis, and convening programming focused on US foreign policy and global affairs. Its core offerings include the Chicago Council Survey, an annual public opinion instrument tracking American attitudes on foreign policy continuously since 1974, the Deep Dish on Global Affairs podcast, the Running Numbers blog, analysis articles, and branded event series such as the Global Economy Dialogue Series and the America at 250 Initiative. It also operates leadership development programs including the Emerging Leaders Program for Chicago professionals aged 30-45 and the Young Professionals Network for members aged 21-35.

The organization serves a diverse audience spanning policymakers and legislators, business leaders, corporate partners, foundation funders, professional members, and the general public seeking accessible analysis of global affairs. Distribution is multi-channel: the globalaffairs.org website, the Chicago Conference Center at Prudential Plaza, virtual and livestreamed events, podcast platforms, YouTube, and active accounts across LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and YouTube, supplemented by frequent earned media coverage in outlets such as CNN, Bloomberg, Foreign Policy, Lawfare, and Fox 32. Polling partnerships with Ipsos, Buendía & Márquez, and Nanos Research support both domestic and tri-national USMCA comparative surveys, while foundation partners including the Crown family, Korea Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Ditchley Foundation, Walder Foundation, and Schreiber Philanthropy underwrite research and programming.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue mix built on individual and corporate memberships, donations, foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and event-related income. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; membership, corporate partnership, and program fees appear to be quote-based. The Council has no parent company, no external institutional investors, and operates under the legal name The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Inc., incorporated in Illinois.

Name

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Legal name

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Inc.

Website

https://globalaffairs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1922 that conducts public opinion polling, policy research, and convening events on US foreign policy and global affairs for policymakers, business leaders, members, and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foreign Policy Think Tank Research and Convening Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International & Comparative Education Policy Organizations (EDADADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Global affairs research
• Foreign policy analysis
• Public opinion surveys
• Policy convening services
• Nonpartisan think tank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership and Giving Circles: Annual membership program offering access to special events, briefings, and member resources. Includes individual membership and corporate partnership tiers.
2. Donations: Individual and institutional donations supporting the organization's mission to make global affairs more accessible.
3. Foundation Support: Grants and support from foundations including the Crown family and Korea Foundation for specific research programs.

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit that produces research, public opinion surveys, expert commentary, and convening programming on US foreign policy and global affairs. Its core deliverables include the Chicago Council Survey (continuous public opinion polling since 1974), comparative international polling, the Deep Dish on Global Affairs podcast, in-person and virtual policy events, the Global Economy Dialogue Series, the America at 250 initiative, and the Emerging Leaders Program and Young Professionals Network for individual members.

Product overview

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs offers a platform of research, events, and content products focused on global affairs and US foreign policy. The core offerings include public opinion surveys (the Chicago Council Survey since 1974), expert commentary and analysis, the Deep Dish podcast, and programs like the Emerging Leaders Program and Young Professionals Network. The Global Economy Dialogue Series provides high-level economic policy discussions. The organization also runs the America at 250 initiative examining America's global role. Events range from public programs to private roundtables, all centered on convening leaders and disseminating research on defense, trade, immigration, and international relations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast: The Council's flagship podcast featuring discussions on global affairs
• Lester Crown Center on US Foreign Policy
• Global Economy Dialogue Series
• America at 250
• Emerging Leaders Program
• Young Professionals Network

Products and services

• Chicago Council Survey and Public Opinion Surveys Continuous longitudinal public opinion polling on American attitudes toward foreign policy, conducted since 1974, plus flash polls and comparative international surveys on trade and USMCA issues conducted in partnership with Ipsos, Buendía & Márquez (Mexico), and Nanos Research (Canada). For policymakers, researchers, journalists, and the informed public.
• Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast Flagship weekly podcast featuring expert discussions on global affairs, featuring Council experts and external thought leaders including special live episode recordings such as Deep Dish Live with figures like David Sanger.
• Events (Public and Private Programs) In-person and virtual event programming including high-level dialogues, expert panels, roundtables, NATO Summit debriefs, and the America at 250 Global Forum held at the Council's Chicago Conference Center and online.
• Global Economy Dialogue Series High-level conversation series chaired by Brent Neiman that brings together economists, business executives, and policy leaders for candid discussions on economic policy and global finance, including public conversations, digital programs, and private roundtables.
• Emerging Leaders Program Year-long selective cohort program for approximately 20 Chicago professionals, typically ages 30 to 45, to deepen knowledge of US foreign policy and global affairs while developing leadership skills.
• Young Professionals Network Community program for Council members ages 21 to 35 offering networking opportunities, programming, and resources to expand their worldview on global affairs and grow professional networks.
• America at 250 Initiative Multi-year initiative examining forces shaping America's role and future at its 250th anniversary, including the America at 250 Global Forum and high-level dialogues with expert perspectives.
• Membership and Giving Circles Annual individual membership program and tiered giving circles offering access to special events, briefings, member resources, private roundtables, and corporate partnership tiers supporting the Council's mission.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ditchley FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with the Ditchley Foundation and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to convene a private high-level dialogue on the historic US-European transatlantic relationship.
• John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-convenor with Ditchley Foundation and Chicago Council of a private discussion on the transatlantic relationship.
• Walder FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor for the Local Voices, National Debate program on immigration attitudes in Chicagoland.
• Schreiber PhilanthropyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor for the Local Voices, National Debate program on immigration attitudes in Chicagoland.
• IpsoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for flash polling on American public opinion on key foreign policy issues through the Council-Ipsos Flash Polling program.
• Buendía & MárquezcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexican polling partner for comparative USMCA public opinion surveys across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
• Nanos ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian polling partner for comparative USMCA public opinion surveys across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
• Chatham HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeslie Vinjamuri previously served as Director of the US and the Americas program at Chatham House in London before joining the Council as President and CEO.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Pew Research Center: Major public opinion research organization with global attitudes surveys; comparable in polling methodology and foreign policy opinion work, though broader in subject area beyond US foreign policy.
• Hudson Institute: Foreign policy think tank with more ideologically defined positioning; partial overlap with Chicago Council's foreign policy research, but with distinct editorial perspective and policy posture.

Direct peers

• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Major bipartisan foreign policy think tank in Washington; directly comparable in policy research, public opinion work, and high-level convening of policymakers and business leaders.
• Brookings Institution: Large DC-based policy think tank with substantial international affairs program; directly comparable in research, public engagement, and convening function, though broader in policy scope beyond foreign affairs.
• German Marshall Fund of the United States: Transatlantic policy think tank focused on US-Europe relations; directly comparable in mission and survey/research methodology, and a co-convener partner with Chicago Council on transatlantic dialogue.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Founded in 1910 with global centers, this is one of the oldest US international affairs think tanks; directly comparable in nonpartisan research mission, foreign policy focus, and event-driven convening model.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): UK-based sister organization focused on international affairs; directly comparable in research output, convening model, and policy independence — and is a formal partner plus former employer of Chicago Council's current CEO.
• Atlantic Council: DC-based think tank on international affairs with strong public opinion and economic programs; directly comparable in event programming, foreign policy research, and bipartisan positioning on global engagement.
• Council on Foreign Relations: Premier US foreign policy think tank publishing Foreign Affairs magazine; the most direct peer to Chicago Council in mission, membership model, and DC/NY policy focus, though with larger scale and longer establishment.
• Woodrow Wilson Center: Congressional-affiliated think tank on global affairs; comparable in nonpartisan research, scholar convening, and policy publication model with a similar membership/support model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChicagoCouncil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/thechicagocouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Chicago-Council-on-Global-Affa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/43220
• Instagraminstagram.com/globalaffairscouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Chicago Council on Global Affairs