Third Way
Third Way is a Washington, D.C.-based, nonprofit moderate Democratic think tank founded in 2005 that produces policy research, polling, memos, and convenings to shape Democratic Party strategy. It serves elected officials, strategists, donors, and policymakers through donations-funded research and events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Third Way does
Third Way is a private, nonprofit, moderate Democratic think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., founded in 2005 by Jon Cowan and other former Clinton administration officials. It produces policy research, analytical memos, public opinion polling, and high-profile convenings intended to influence Democratic Party strategy across climate and energy, economy, education, foreign policy, health care, politics, and social policy. The organization explicitly distinguishes itself by promoting 'combative centrism' and a focus on electability and swing-voter persuasion rather than progressive policy positions.
Its core products are non-technological in nature: long-form reports (e.g., 'The DOGE Time Bombs,' 'End Medical Debt,' 'Cost Caps and Coverage for All,' 'Nine Ideas to Make Progress on Child Care'), shorter policy memos (e.g., 'Americans Deserve a Health Care Bill of Rights'), the 'What It Takes' podcast, and the 'Winning the Middle' strategy summit. The organization does not develop proprietary software or offer APIs, SDKs, or integrations. Distribution is executed through a seven-channel social media footprint, an email newsletter, earned media in outlets such as The New York Times and Bloomberg, and in-person convenings.
Third Way is funded entirely through donations and grants, with no product pricing model. Its target constituencies are Democratic Party elected officials and strategists, Democratic funders and operatives, and secondarily policymakers and journalists. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees, with leadership including President Jon Cowan, EVP for Policy Jim Kessler, and EVP for Public Affairs Matt Bennett, supported by approximately 114 staff members.
Third Way firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Third Way
- Legal name
- Third Way
- Website
- https://thirdway.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Third Way is a Washington, D.C.-based, nonprofit moderate Democratic think tank founded in 2005 that produces policy research, polling, memos, and convenings to shape Democratic Party strategy. It serves elected officials, strategists, donors, and policymakers through donations-funded research and events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Third Way industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research and Advocacy
- NAICS
- Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)
Keywords
Where Third Way is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Third Way business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Third Way is a non-profit organization that funds its policy research, convenings, and advocacy work through donations and contributions from supporters. The organization states that their work is made possible by 'the sustained engagement and generous contributions of our supporters.'
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Third Way product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Third Way is a nonprofit think tank that produces policy research, analysis, and strategic recommendations from a moderate Democratic perspective. It publishes policy reports and memos covering climate and energy, economy, education, foreign policy, health care, politics, and social policy; conducts public opinion polling on Democratic primary voters and electability; and convenes high-level strategy events and podcasts for party leaders, strategists, elected officials, and operatives.
Product overview
Third Way is a moderate Democratic advocacy group and think tank that produces policy research and analysis. Its portfolio consists of published reports and memos covering Democratic politics and policy issues including healthcare, economy, climate and energy, education, foreign policy, and social policy. The organization also hosts the 'Winning the Middle' strategy events and produces the 'What It Takes' podcast featuring Democratic strategists. Key publications include reports on child care policy, federal government reform ('The DOGE Time Bombs'), healthcare affordability ('Cost Caps and Coverage for All', 'End Medical Debt', 'Health Care Bill of Rights'), and foreign policy analysis. Third Way does not offer technology products or software services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Policy Reports In-depth policy research publications covering topics such as healthcare, economy, climate and energy, education, foreign policy, and politics, intended for Democratic Party officials, policymakers, strategists, journalists, and the public.
- Policy Memos Shorter analytical memos addressing current political and policy issues, providing concise recommendations on subjects like health care reform and foreign policy direction for Democratic officials and policymakers.
- Winning the Middle Conference A flagship strategy convening focused on building a Democratic Party that can win moderate and swing voters, gathering Democratic leaders, strategists, pollsters, and elected officials to align on party strategy and messaging for the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential cycle.
- What It Takes Podcast A podcast featuring interviews with Democratic strategists and officials discussing political strategy and messaging, available via YouTube and external podcast platforms.
Quantifiable outcome
- Third Way's 'Winning the Middle' conference brought together hundreds of leaders, strategists, pollsters, elected officials from key primary and battleground states
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Third Way
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Third Way technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Third Way partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Third Way competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Center for American Progress: Major Democratic-aligned think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., producing policy research, polling, and rapid-response analysis. Comparable to Third Way in operating model, scale, donor base, and positioning as a party strategy influencer.
- New America: Centrist-leaning public policy institute with a wide policy portfolio spanning economy, education, technology, and security. Comparable to Third Way in ideological positioning, multi-vertical research stack, and influence on Democratic policy debates.
- Bipartisan Policy Center: Washington, D.C.-based policy organization focused on cross-aisle solutions across health, energy, national security, and economic policy. Comparable to Third Way in centering moderate/centrist positions and convening power in U.S. federal policymaking.
- Roosevelt Institute: Progressive-leaning think tank producing economic and social policy research targeting Democratic Party priorities. Comparable to Third Way as a Democratic-aligned policy shop competing for the same donor and operative mindshare, though more progressive in stance.
Broad incumbents
- Brookings Institution: One of the largest and oldest U.S. think tanks, producing research across economics, foreign policy, and governance with a moderate orientation. Comparable to Third Way in research product mix and media reach, but materially larger in scale and scope.
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Foreign policy-focused think tank with research and convening across geopolitics, nuclear policy, and democracy. Comparable to Third Way in its foreign policy product line and use of senior diplomat/foreign policy fellows (e.g., Sumona Guha's foreign service background).
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Major bipartisan foreign policy and security think tank headquartered in D.C. with a large staff and global convening footprint. Comparable to Third Way on the foreign policy and national security policy vertical, and on the model of combining research with high-level convenings.
- Heritage Foundation: One of the largest U.S. conservative think tanks, deeply influential in Republican strategy and policy. Comparable as the structural mirror of Third Way in scale of influence and integration into party strategy, despite ideological opposition.
- RAND Corporation: Large nonprofit policy research organization producing deep analysis across health, education, security, and economic policy. Comparable to Third Way in research-output-driven model and U.S.-policy focus, though much larger and more institutional.
Others
- American Enterprise Institute: Conservative-leaning think tank counterpart that produces policy research, polling, and convenings mirroring Third Way's model from the right side of the political spectrum. Comparable as a structurally similar think tank rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Third Way social profiles
Digital presenceThird Way financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Third Way leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Third Way funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Third Way M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Third Way
What does Third Way do?
Third Way is a nonprofit think tank that produces policy research, analysis, and strategic recommendations from a moderate Democratic perspective. It publishes policy reports and memos covering climate and energy, economy, education, foreign policy, health care, politics, and social policy; conducts public opinion polling on Democratic primary voters and electability; and convenes high-level strategy events and podcasts for party leaders, strategists, elected officials, and operatives.
Is Third Way a public or private company?
Third Way is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Third Way founded?
Third Way was founded in 2005. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Third Way based?
Third Way is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Third Way make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are Third Way's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Center for American Progress, New America, Bipartisan Policy Center and Roosevelt Institute. Broad incumbents are Brookings Institution, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Heritage Foundation and RAND Corporation. American Enterprise Institute is listed as an others.
Does Third Way have an API?
No public API is recorded for Third Way.
What industry is Third Way in?
Third Way's product category is Policy Research and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAO, Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes. Its NAICS code is 54191.