center for defense information

What center for defense information does

The Center for Defense Information is a U.S. national-security policy research and advocacy initiative founded in 1971 and operated since 2012 as a program within the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its stated objective is to develop a more effective national security policy at lower cost, advancing sensible defense budgets and pushing Congress and the Pentagon toward outcomes aligned with the national interest rather than corporate or contractor interests. Its core constituencies are federal policymakers, congressional staff, defense and oversight journalists, and the general public.

CDI's product surface is research- and content-driven rather than technology-driven. Outputs include policy research reports and commentary, investigative journalism on defense spending and contractor misconduct, the Pentagon Labyrinth podcast, email newsletters, and a set of transparency databases tracking federal accountability. Historically operated databases include the Federal Contractor Misconduct Database, Pentagon Revolving Door Database, Inspector General Vacancy Tracker, and COVID Relief Spending Tracker; the misconduct and revolving-door databases were retired in 2022 and 2023 respectively. CDI also hosts the archives of the Center for Public Integrity following their closure, and operates under POGO's four-star-rated charitable framework.

CDI has no commercial revenue model. It is funded as part of POGO through donations, foundation grants, and other charitable contributions, and operates exclusively within the United States. It does not sell software, subscriptions, or services, has no disclosed customers or contracts, and is not a candidate for traditional revenue or valuation analysis. Its "competitive" position is measured in policy influence, media reach, and reputational credibility rather than market share.

Name

center for defense information

Legal name

Project On Government Oversight Inc.

Website

https://cdi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Center for Defense Information is a nonprofit policy research and advocacy initiative operating as a program within POGO, focused on U.S. national security policy and defense budget accountability. It produces research reports, the Pentagon Labyrinth podcast, newsletters, and transparency databases serving Congress, federal oversight bodies, journalists, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Center for Defense Information (CDI) is a nonpartisan policy research and advocacy program that conducts analysis on U.S. defense policy and military activities. It produces reports, databases, newsletters, podcasts, and congressional testimony to advocate for a more effective national security strategy at lower cost, pushing Congress and the Pentagon toward policies that serve national interests and armed service members rather than defense contractors. CDI has been operating as part of the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) since 2012.

Product overview

The Center for Defense Information (CDI) at POGO is a policy research and advocacy organization focused on national security, not a technology product company. CDI operates as part of POGO's broader accountability mission, advocating for sensible defense budgets and effective national security policy. The organization maintains several transparency databases (COVID Relief Spending Tracker, Federal Contractor Misconduct Database, Pentagon Revolving Door Database, Inspector General Vacancy Tracker) that have been retired over time, along with advocacy initiatives like the Congressional Oversight Initiative. These are informational tools and advocacy programs rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Center for Defense Information (CDI) A nonpartisan policy research and advocacy initiative focused on building more effective U.S. national security policy at lower cost, advocating for sensible defense budgets, and pushing Congress and the Pentagon toward policies that serve national interests and armed service members rather than corporate interests. Audience: U.S. policymakers, oversight bodies, journalists, and the general public.
• Congressional Oversight Initiative

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Project On Government Oversight (POGO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012CDI joined POGO in 2012. Since then, CDI has advocated for sensible defense budgets, pushing Congress and the Pentagon toward policies that best serve the needs of the nation and armed services, not corporate interests or shareholders.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): One of the largest U.S. defense and foreign policy think tanks, conducting research on national security strategy, Pentagon policy, and defense budgets. Directly comparable to CDI in subject-matter focus (defense policy analysis) but operates at much larger scale with significantly more resources.
• RAND Corporation: Major policy research institution with extensive defense and national security portfolio producing analysis on military strategy, force structure, and defense budgets. Comparable to CDI in defense policy research but vastly larger and broader in scope.
• Heritage Foundation: Large conservative policy institute with significant defense and national security research programs. Comparable in subject area (defense policy research and advocacy) though ideologically distinct from CDI's nonpartisan positioning.

Direct peers

• Project On Government Oversight (POGO): The parent nonprofit organization that CDI operates within. Most directly comparable entity since it shares the same staff, funding base, advocacy mission, and accountability focus, with CDI being one of POGO's national security programs.
• Center for a New American Security (CNAS): Bipartisan national security and defense policy research institution producing reports and policy recommendations on U.S. defense strategy, military spending, and Pentagon reform. Closely comparable to CDI in mission focus and policy-oriented research output.
• Stimson Center: Nonpartisan think tank conducting research on defense policy, national security, and government accountability. Comparable to CDI in research-oriented advocacy approach and focus on Pentagon oversight.
• Taxpayers for Common Sense: Independent budget watchdog focused on federal spending, including defense waste and Pentagon accountability. Closely aligned with CDI's mission of scrutinizing defense budgets and reducing wasteful spending.
• Government Accountability Project: Nonprofit organization dedicated to government accountability and whistleblower protection. Comparable to POGO/CDI in shared focus on exposing federal government misconduct and protecting whistleblowers in defense and national security contexts.

Emerging players

• Sunlight Foundation: Nonprofit focused on government transparency and open data. Comparable to CDI's transparency databases (Federal Contractor Misconduct, Pentagon Revolving Door) mission of making government information accessible to the public.
• War on the Rocks: Digital-first national security publication and podcast network covering defense policy, military affairs, and Pentagon culture. Comparable to CDI in defense policy commentary and modern digital content distribution approach.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/POGOwatchdog
• YouTubeyoutube.com/POGOwatchdog
• Facebookfacebook.com/pogo.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-on-government-oversight
• Instagraminstagram.com/pogowatchdog

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about center for defense information