The German Marshall Fund of the United States

What The German Marshall Fund of the United States does

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a U.S.-based nonprofit policy research organization founded in 1972 and inspired by the Marshall Plan. It conducts policy research, convenes stakeholders, and produces publications on transatlantic relations, security, democracy, urban governance, technology, and climate/energy. Its primary constituents are government officials, diplomats, policy makers, think tank researchers, civil society organizations, and increasingly municipal governments — including a focused portfolio of Ukrainian cities engaged in post-war recovery.

GMF delivers its mission through a portfolio of thematic and regional program areas (Transatlantic Security, Global Power Shifts/Indo-Pacific, Innovation & Competitiveness, External Relations including GMF Cities), flagship multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Ukraine Cities Partnership (UCP) and the Energy Allies program, and a leadership development pipeline anchored by the Marshall Memorial Fellowship and alumni network. Distribution occurs through its gmfus.org content platform, newsletters, social channels, podcasts/video, events and conferences, and a physical footprint of eight offices (Washington DC headquarters plus Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Warsaw, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Ankara). The organization has no commercial product portfolio; rather, it operates a coalition/grant-funded delivery model, partnering with firms such as Autodesk, AECOM, BDP, Deloitte, and DELTA, and receiving financial support from the U.S. Department of State and the European Union.

GMF's revenue model is donations- and grants-based (501(c)(3); EIN 52-0954751), with no disclosed pricing for end users since research outputs are published openly. Funding sources include governments (U.S. State Department, EU), private foundations, corporations, and individuals. Headcount is in the 101–250 range, distributed across the U.S. and seven European offices, supporting sustained program delivery across security, competitiveness, and urban recovery verticals.

Name

The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Legal name

The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Website

https://gmfus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

GMF is a U.S. nonprofit think tank founded in 1972 that conducts policy research and convening on transatlantic relations, security, democracy, and urban governance, serving government officials, researchers, civil society, and municipal governments across eight U.S. and European offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Think Tank Services

NAICS

International Affairs (92812), National Security (928110), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Transatlantic policy research
• Foreign policy think tank
• Democracy and security analysis
• Urban governance programs
• Leadership fellowships

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The German Marshall Fund operates as a non-profit organization funded through donations, grants, and charitable contributions. The organization accepts donations and mentions its EIN (52-0954751) indicating formal non-profit status. The EU is mentioned as a funder for specific programs like Energy Allies.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a nonpartisan policy research organization that conducts analysis, convenes stakeholders, and produces publications on transatlantic relations, security, democracy, and urban governance. It operates fellowship and leadership development programs (including the Marshall Memorial Fellowship) and runs cross-sector initiatives such as the Ukraine Cities Partnership and the Energy Allies program to address international policy challenges between North America and Europe.

Product overview

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a policy research think tank focused on transatlantic relations, not a commercial product company. Its digital offerings consist of the gmfus.org website—primarily a content publication and expert directory platform—and a portfolio of program areas organized by thematic and regional focus. The core programs include Transatlantic Security, Global Power Shifts, Innovation and Competitiveness (with a Technology sub-program), External Relations (encompassing GMF Cities), and specialized initiatives such as the Ukraine Cities Partnership for Sustainable Local Recovery (UCP) and the Energy Allies transatlantic dialogue program. Additional programs cover Indo-Pacific strategy, leadership development with fellowship and alumni networks, and an expert/staff directory for identifying policy specialists. GMF also maintains transatlantic office locations in Washington DC, Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Warsaw, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Ankara.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transatlantic Security Program A core program area covering transatlantic security cooperation, European resilience, and the Democracy and Security Network, examining geopolitical dynamics and strategic partnerships between North America and Europe.
• Global Power Shifts Program A program area encompassing Indo-Pacific strategy, South and Wider Europe initiatives, and Strategic Foresight, analyzing global power dynamics and regional realignments.
• Innovation and Competitiveness Program A program area focused on strategic competitiveness and technology policy, including the GMF Technology sub-program examining the intersection of technology and transatlantic relations.
• GMF Cities An external relations program dedicated to urban governance, city diplomacy, and transatlantic city partnerships, addressing topics including democracy, climate, migration, and urban resilience.
• Ukraine Cities Partnership (UCP) A coalition of transatlantic, cross-sector partners led by GMF committed to advancing the sustainable and inclusive recovery of Ukrainian cities, supporting urban planning, infrastructure, governance, and project finance.
• Energy Allies Initiative A transatlantic multi-stakeholder dialogue program fostering collaboration between U.S. and European local civil society and government leaders on local energy transition and climate action.
• Indo-Pacific Program A program examining Indo-Pacific security, deterrence, conventional military competition, technology alliances, and U.S.-India defense relations.
• GMF Leadership Programs Fellowship and alumni relations programs developing transatlantic leadership, including the Marshall Memorial Fellowship network of alumni.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ukraine Cities Partnership supports up to 3 smaller Ukrainian cities with cross-sector coalition of 50+ partners
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AutodeskcoreTechnology or Integration · 24 June 2026Autodesk joined the Ukraine Cities Partnership (UCP) as its lead technology partner. The global leader in design and make software will provide digital tools and technical expertise to help project teams coordinate planning, design, visualization, and simulation activities. Collaboration begins with UCP pilot city Korosten in Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine. Autodesk has experience from Notre Dame restoration and LA wildfire recovery efforts.
• AECOMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Ukraine Cities Partnership coalition supporting sustainable recovery of Ukrainian cities.
• BDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Ukraine Cities Partnership coalition supporting sustainable recovery of Ukrainian cities.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Ukraine Cities Partnership coalition supporting sustainable recovery of Ukrainian cities.
• DELTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Ukraine Cities Partnership coalition supporting sustainable recovery of Ukrainian cities.
• Energy CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean partner organization co-leading the Energy Allies: Transatlantic Multi-stakeholder Dialogues for the Local Energy Transition. The partnership fosters strategic collaboration between local civil society and government leaders to support cities' energy transition.

Scale indicators3 records

Direct peers

• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): A bipartisan think tank focused on defense, security, and international affairs. Directly comparable to GMF's transatlantic security program and overall policy research mandate.
• European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): A pan-European foreign policy think tank with offices across EU member states. Directly comparable to GMF's European footprint and transatlantic policy mission.
• Wilson Center: A U.S. congressionally chartered think tank focused on international affairs and policy research. Comparable in policy research mandate and convening role.
• RAND Corporation: A large policy research organization with deep security and international affairs programs funded by governments and foundations. Comparable in research depth, funder mix, and policy influence.
• Council on Foreign Relations (CFR): A premier U.S. foreign policy think tank with fellowship programs and high-level convening authority. Directly comparable to GMF's fellowship network and international affairs focus.
• Chatham House: A London-based international affairs think tank with global research programs and convening authority. Highly comparable in mission and operating model, with a comparable European footprint.
• Brookings Institution: One of the largest U.S. think tanks with substantial international affairs, economic, and governance research programs. Comparable in scale, programmatic breadth, and policy influence.
• Atlantic Council: A major U.S. think tank with an explicit transatlantic mandate, producing policy research and convening on international affairs, security, and economics. Highly comparable to GMF's mission and funder base.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: A global think tank with centers across regions conducting policy research on international affairs. Directly comparable in scale, research output, and convening role.

Regional players

• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS): A German political foundation with international programs on democracy, security, and transatlantic cooperation. Comparable in international grantmaking and convening, though primarily operating from a German/European base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gmfus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsqohhQRKZewaJmeQIOd7AQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/gmfus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/german-marshall-fund-of-the-united-states
• Instagraminstagram.com/german_marshall_fund/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The German Marshall Fund of the United States