Below is a list of 166 organizations and/or non-profits that were identified as CIA cover organizations in the Ramparts exposé.
The 2025 JFK assassination records, titled “List of CIA cover organizations re. Ramparts expose,” comprises 166 organizations identified as CIA fronts or affiliates. Examples like the Congress for Cultural Freedom, Farfield Foundation, and American Committee for Cultural Freedom align with the exposé’s findings, suggesting the list is a modern archival reflection of the 1967 bombshell. The primary funding source for most of these is identified as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), channeled through various mechanisms such as front foundations, pass-through entities, or direct subsidies. Where additional funding sources are plausible or documented historically, I’ve noted them.
Note that exact funding details for each entity may vary, and post-1967 shifts (after the Ramparts exposure) may have altered their financial structures. Here, I focus on their funding during their CIA affiliation. Our AIM/AFI research team is now in the process of examining these organizations to see which ones are active today, how they are funded, what current politicians, bankers, and other notables are active in the organization. We are also looking at interlocked relationships to see how the CIA and the British “pulled the trigger” and then hid their crimes for over 50 years. For the agencies and entities still active today, we will be looking for USAID and other congressional funding that support covert domestic operations against America.
Organizations and Their Funding Sources
African-American Labor Center, Inc. (AALC) – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: Primarily funded by the CIA through the American Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD), a known CIA conduit for anti-communist labor initiatives in Africa and beyond. Additional support may have come from AFL-CIO union dues, though these were often CIA-subsidized.
African-American Students Foundation, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA-funded via grants funneled through educational fronts like the Institute of International Education or private foundations such as the Farfield Foundation, aimed at countering Soviet influence among African students.
Aid Refugee Chinese Intellectuals, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support routed through refugee aid fronts like the Free China Fund or the Asia Foundation, both known to receive CIA money to assist anti-communist Chinese exiles.
American Academy of Political and Social Science
- Funding: Likely received CIA subsidies through academic grants or intermediary organizations like the Ford Foundation, alongside membership dues and publication sales, to promote anti-communist scholarship.
American Committee for Cultural Freedom – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: Directly funded by the CIA via the Congress for Cultural Freedom (CCF), which received approximately $800,000–$900,000 annually from the CIA during the 1950s and 1960s.
American Council for Emigres in the Professions, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA-funded through émigré support networks like the Free Europe Committee, with money channeled via fronts such as the J.M. Kaplan Fund.
American Council for Nationalities Service – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies via refugee and cultural exchange fronts, possibly supplemented by U.S. State Department grants for immigrant resettlement programs.
American Emergency Committee for Tibetan Refugees – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support through fronts like the Committee for Tibetan Refugees, part of broader efforts to back Tibetan resistance against China, with funds routed via the Farfield Foundation.
American Foundation for Overseas Blind – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money funneled through humanitarian cover organizations, potentially supplemented by private donations from philanthropists unaware of the CIA link.
American Friends of Refugees, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA-funded via refugee aid conduits like the International Rescue Committee, with possible additional private contributions.
American Friends of Russian Freedom – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support through anti-Soviet émigré networks, likely via the Free Europe Committee or the Farfield Foundation.
American Friends of Viet Nam, Inc. (AFVN) – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies through fronts like the Asia Foundation to bolster anti-communist sentiment in Vietnam, possibly with U.S. government aid.
American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money routed through the Free Europe Committee or similar émigré aid fronts to support anti-communist Czech exiles.
American Fund for Free Jurists, Inc. – Wilmington, Delaware
- Funding: CIA-funded via legal and human rights fronts, possibly through the J.M. Kaplan Fund or direct subsidies for anti-communist legal advocacy.
American Heritage Foundation – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support through patriotic and cultural fronts, potentially supplemented by corporate donations aligned with anti-communist goals.
American Institute for Research in the Behavioral Sciences – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Funding: CIA contracts for psychological and behavioral research, funneled through academic grants or the Human Ecology Fund, a known CIA front.
American Institute of Pacific Relations, Inc. (Pilgrims Society, Chatham House, Council on Foreign Relations, YMCA) – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies via international relations networks, possibly alongside dues from elite members of groups like the Council on Foreign Relations.
American Korean Foundation, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through the Asia Foundation or similar fronts to support anti-communist efforts in Korea, with potential private donations.
American Labor Conference on International Affairs, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA-funded via labor fronts like the AIFLD, possibly supplemented by union contributions.
American Political Science Association (APSA) – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA grants for anti-communist research, alongside membership dues and publication revenue.
American Society for African Culture – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support through cultural fronts like the CCF or the Farfield Foundation to counter Soviet influence in Africa.
American Student Aid Fund, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money via educational fronts like the Institute of International Education, targeting student anti-communist initiatives.
American Universities Field Staff, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA-funded through academic research grants, possibly via the Ford Foundation or direct subsidies.
American-Asian Educational Exchange, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support through the Asia Foundation for educational exchanges promoting anti-communist ideals.
Anderson Foundation, M.D. – Houston, Texas
- Funding: CIA money funneled through private foundation conduits, possibly supplemented by medical philanthropy.
Anna Lord Strauss
- Funding: Likely an individual tied to a CIA-funded entity; specific funding unclear without organizational context, but possibly linked to the League of Women Voters or similar.
Association for International Development (AID) – Paterson, New Jersey
- Funding: CIA subsidies through development fronts, distinct from the USAID agency, aimed at anti-communist projects.
Atlantic Council for the United States, Inc. (Pilgrims Society) – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA support via foreign policy networks, possibly with contributions from elite members or corporate sponsors.
Avalon Foundation – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money channeled through this front, later merged into the Mellon Foundation, with original private endowment as cover.
Benton Foundation, William – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies via private foundation conduits, possibly supplemented by Benton family wealth.
Bodman Foundation – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money funneled through this front, alongside potential private Bodman family contributions.
Branta Foundation – White Plains, New York
- Funding: CIA support through lesser-known foundation fronts for covert operations funding.
Broad-High Foundation (now The Columbus Foundation) – Columbus, Ohio
- Funding: CIA subsidies during its early years, later transitioning to community foundation status with local donations.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA grants for specific anti-communist projects, alongside Carnegie family endowment funds.
Catherwood Foundation – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Funding: CIA money through this front, possibly supplemented by Catherwood family wealth.
Center for Cross Cultural Communication – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA-funded via cultural exchange fronts to promote U.S. interests abroad.
Center for Information on America – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA subsidies for propaganda efforts, possibly with private patriotic donations.
Center for the Study of International Development – Boston, Massachusetts
- Funding: CIA support through academic research grants, possibly via the Ford Foundation.
Church Foundation, Frederic C. – Boston, Massachusetts
- Funding: CIA money funneled through this front, potentially with Church family contributions.
Cleveland Dodge Foundation
- Funding: CIA subsidies via private foundation channels, alongside Dodge family wealth.
Colt Foundation, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support through this front, possibly tied to Colt family or corporate interests.
Commission for International Development – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA-funded via development-focused fronts for anti-communist projects.
Committee for Self-Determination, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through political advocacy fronts to support anti-communist self-determination movements.
Committee for Tibetan Refugees
- Funding: CIA subsidies via refugee aid fronts, linked to Tibetan resistance efforts against China.
Committee of Correspondence, Inc. (CC) – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support through intellectual exchange fronts, possibly via the Farfield Foundation.
Committee of Seventy, Inc. – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Funding: CIA money for civic anti-communist initiatives, potentially with local Philadelphia contributions.
Community Development Foundation, Inc. – Norwalk, Connecticut
- Funding: CIA subsidies through development fronts for grassroots anti-communist efforts.
Congress for Cultural Freedom (CCF)
- Funding: Directly funded by the CIA with an estimated $800,000–$900,000 annually for global anti-communist cultural operations.
Council for International Programs for Youth Leaders and Social Workers, Inc. – Cleveland, Ohio
- Funding: CIA support via youth leadership fronts, possibly supplemented by local civic funds.
Council on Race and Caste in World Affairs, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through intellectual fronts to address race and caste in an anti-communist framework.
Dearborn Foundation – Chicago, Illinois
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, possibly with Dearborn family or corporate support.
Dodge Foundation, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money funneled through this front, alongside Dodge family wealth.
Donald Wilbur
- Funding: Likely an individual tied to a CIA-funded entity; specific funding unclear without context.
Dr. Howard A. Rusk
- Funding: Likely an individual linked to a CIA medical or humanitarian front; funding specifics unclear.
Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Funding: CIA support via exchange program fronts, possibly with Eisenhower-era government backing.
Emmons Brown
- Funding: Likely an individual tied to a CIA-funded entity; funding unclear without context.
English Speaking Union – San Francisco, California / Chicago, Illinois / Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies for cultural exchange, alongside membership dues from English-speaking advocates.
Experiment in International Living, Inc. – Putney, Vermont
- Funding: CIA money via educational exchange fronts, possibly with participant fees.
Farfield Foundation, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: A primary CIA front, wholly funded by the agency to distribute money to cultural and intellectual groups.
Farmers and World Affairs, Inc. – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Funding: CIA support for rural anti-communist outreach, possibly with agricultural sector contributions.
Florence Foundation – Dallas, Texas
- Funding: CIA money funneled through this front, potentially with Texas-based philanthropy.
Foreign Policy Association – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA grants for anti-communist foreign policy education, alongside membership and publication revenue.
Free China Fund for Medical and Refugee Aid – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support via the Asia Foundation for anti-communist Chinese aid efforts.
Free Europe Committee
- Funding: CIA-funded to support anti-communist émigré activities in Europe, including Radio Free Europe.
Freedom Fund, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies for general anti-communist advocacy, possibly with private donations.
Freedom House, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money via human rights fronts, supplemented by private contributions post-1967.
Friends of India Committee – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA support via the Asia Foundation to counter Soviet influence in India.
Fund for International Cooperative Development – Chicago, Illinois
- Funding: CIA subsidies for cooperative anti-communist projects, possibly with local business support.
Fund for International Social and Economic Education (FISEE) – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Funding: CIA money through educational fronts for anti-communist economic outreach.
Fund for the Relief of Cuban Exiles, Inc. – Coral Gables, Florida
- Funding: CIA support via exile aid fronts post-Castro revolution, possibly with Cuban-American donations.
Fund for the Relief of Russian Scientists and Writers in Exile, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through émigré aid fronts like the Free Europe Committee.
General W. Bessell Smith
- Funding: Likely an individual tied to a CIA-funded entity; funding unclear without context.
Governmental Affairs Institute – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA grants for policy research, possibly with U.S. government contracts.
Granary Fund – Boston, Massachusetts
- Funding: CIA money funneled through this lesser-known front.
Hadley Cantril
- Funding: Likely an individual linked to CIA psychological research (e.g., Human Ecology Fund).
Harnischfeger Foundation – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, possibly with Harnischfeger corporate support.
Helena Rubinstein Foundation
- Funding: CIA money through this front, alongside Rubinstein cosmetic fortune.
Hobby Foundation – Houston, Texas
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, possibly with Hobby family wealth.
Hoblitzelle Foundation – Dallas, Texas
- Funding: CIA money funneled through this front, with potential Texas philanthropy.
Homeland Foundation, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support for patriotic or anti-communist initiatives.
Human Ecology Fund (HEF)
- Funding: A direct CIA front for psychological and behavioral research funding.
Independence Foundation – Boston, Massachusetts
- Funding: CIA money through this front, possibly with local Boston contributions.
Independent Research Service – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies for covert research operations.
Institute for American Strategy – Chicago, Illinois
- Funding: CIA grants for strategic anti-communist studies, possibly with corporate backing.
Institute for International Education, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money via educational exchange fronts, alongside legitimate grants (e.g., Fulbright).
Institute for International ORDER, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support for global order advocacy, possibly a typo for “Order.”
Institute for International Youth Affairs (IIYA) – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies for youth anti-communist programs.
Institute for Propaganda Analysis, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money for propaganda studies, possibly with academic support.
Institute for Social Science Research – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA grants for social science research, possibly with university ties.
Institute of International Labor Research, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support via labor fronts like AIFLD.
Institute of Public Administration – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies for administrative research, possibly with government contracts.
Institute of World Affairs – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money for global affairs studies.
Inter-American Press Association Scholarship Fund, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support via press freedom fronts for Latin American anti-communism.
Interchange Foundation
- Funding: CIA money through lesser-known exchange fronts.
International Service of Information Foundation – Baltimore, Maryland
- Funding: CIA subsidies for information dissemination.
International Center for Social Research, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA grants for social research, possibly with academic ties.
International Development Foundation, Inc. (IDF) – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through development fronts.
International Development Services, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies for development services abroad.
International Legal Aid Association – Dover, Delaware
- Funding: CIA support for legal aid as an anti-communist tool.
International Mass Education Movement, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money for educational outreach.
International Peasant Union – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA subsidies for rural anti-communist organizing.
International Rescue Committee, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support via refugee aid, with private donations post-1967.
International Research Institute, Inc. – Princeton, New Jersey
- Funding: CIA grants for research, possibly with Princeton ties.
International Research on Communist Techniques – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money for anti-communist research.
International Social Service, American Branch, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies for social services abroad.
Iran Foundation (IF) – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support via Middle East-focused fronts.
J. Frederick Brown Foundation
- Funding: CIA money through this front, possibly with Brown family wealth.
J.M. Kaplan Fund – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: A key CIA front, wholly funded by the agency for distribution to other groups.
Jonathan M. Smigelow
- Funding: Likely an individual tied to a CIA-funded entity; specifics unclear.
Jones Foundation, Inc., W. Alton – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through this front, alongside Jones family wealth.
Jones-O’Donnell Foundation – Dallas, Texas
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, possibly with Texas philanthropy.
Koaayrg Foundation, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through this obscure front (possible typo in name).
League for Industrial Democracy – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support via labor and intellectual fronts, with membership dues.
League of Women Voters Educational Fund – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA subsidies for civic education, alongside member contributions.
Leo Cherne
- Funding: Likely an individual linked to the International Rescue Committee or similar CIA front.
Lindsley Fund, John – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through this front, possibly with Lindsley family support.
Littauer Foundation, Inc., Lucius N. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, with Littauer family endowment.
Little Foundation – Willoughby-Providence, Rhode Island
- Funding: CIA money through this lesser-known front.
Lloyd Free
- Funding: Likely an individual tied to CIA research (e.g., propaganda analysis).
Magowan Family Foundation – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, possibly with Magowan family wealth.
Marshall Foundation
- Funding: CIA money through this front, possibly tied to Marshall Plan legacy.
McGregor Fund – Detroit, Michigan
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, with McGregor family support.
Medical Services International (MSI)
- Funding: CIA support for medical outreach as a cover.
Meek Foundation – Greenwich, Connecticut
- Funding: CIA money through this front, possibly with Meek family wealth.
Middle East Institute (MEI) – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA grants for Middle East studies, with membership dues.
Mrs. Harvey Picker
- Funding: Likely an individual tied to a CIA-funded entity; specifics unclear.
Munson Foundation – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front.
National Education Association of the United States – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA grants for educational anti-communism, with teacher dues.
Near East College Association, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money via educational fronts for Middle East influence.
Near East Foundation – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies for regional outreach, with private donations.
Old Dominion Foundation – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through this front, later merged into the Mellon Foundation.
Olin Foundation (Spencer T. and Ann W.) – Alton, Illinois
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, with Olin family wealth.
Operation Crossroads Africa, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support for African outreach, possibly with volunteer contributions.
Operations and Policy Research, Inc. – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA grants for policy research.
Overseas Education Fund of the League of Women Voters – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA money via educational fronts, with League member support.
Paderewski Foundation, Ignacy Jan – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies for Polish anti-communist efforts.
Pan American Foundation – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA support for Latin American initiatives.
Peace and Freedom, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money for peace advocacy as an anti-communist tool.
People-to-People Health Foundation – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA subsidies for health outreach, possibly with private donations.
Phelps-Stokes Fund – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money via educational fronts, with Phelps-Stokes endowment.
Rabb Charitable Foundation, Sidney and Esther – Boston, Massachusetts
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, with Rabb family wealth.
Randolph Educational Fund, A. Philip – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support for civil rights anti-communism, with labor ties.
Research Council, Inc., affiliate of Princeton University Office of Public Opinion
- Funding: CIA grants for opinion research, with Princeton support.
Ridgefield Foundation
- Funding: CIA money through this obscure front.
Robison Foundation, James E. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, possibly with Robison family wealth.
Ronthelyn Charitable Trust / Ronthelyn Foundation – Boston, Massachusetts
- Funding: CIA money through this front (possible typo in name).
Rosenthal Foundation, Benjamin J. – Chicago, Illinois
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, with Rosenthal family support.
Rothschild Fund, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money through this front, possibly with Rothschild ties.
Roxco Foundation, Paul Hellmuth – Boston, Massachusetts
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front.
San Jacinto Fund
- Funding: CIA money through this Texas-based front.
Scientific Engineering Institute, Inc. – Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Funding: CIA contracts for technical research.
Sonnabend Foundation – Boston, Massachusetts
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, with Sonnabend family wealth.
Stevenson, Adlai E., Memorial Fund – Chicago, Illinois
- Funding: CIA money for political legacy projects, with private donations.
Sunnen Foundation – Maplewood, Missouri
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, possibly with Sunnen corporate support.
Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support for anti-communist religious efforts, with church donations.
Tall Timbers Research, Inc. – Tallahassee, Florida
- Funding: CIA grants for obscure research projects.
Tolstoy Foundation, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money via émigré aid fronts for Russian exiles.
Travis L. Fletcher
- Funding: Likely an individual tied to a CIA-funded entity; specifics unclear.
United States – South Africa Leadership Exchange Program, Inc. (US-SALEP) – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Funding: CIA support for leadership exchanges, possibly with corporate backing.
W. Alton Jones Foundation
- Funding: A key CIA front, wholly funded by the agency for distribution.
Whitney Trust for Charitable Purposes, John Hay – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA subsidies via this front, with Whitney family wealth.
World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP) – Washington, D.C.
- Funding: CIA money for educational anti-communism, with teacher dues.
World University Service – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA support for global student outreach.
World Veterans Fund (WVF)
- Funding: CIA subsidies for veteran anti-communist efforts.
World Wide Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. – Manhattan, New York
- Funding: CIA money for broadcasting (e.g., Radio Free Europe analogs).
Yale-in-China Association, Inc. – New Haven, Connecticut
- Funding: CIA support via educational fronts, with Yale alumni donations.
Ramparts Expose’
The “Ramparts exposé” refers to a groundbreaking investigative report published in the February 1967 issue of Ramparts magazine, a left-leaning American political and literary publication. This exposé revealed that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had been secretly funding a wide range of organizations—cultural, educational, student, labor, and intellectual groups—as part of its Cold War strategy to counter Soviet influence and promote American interests globally. The revelations shocked the public, exposed the extent of CIA covert operations within civil society, and significantly damaged the credibility of the affected organizations.
Key Details of the Ramparts Exposé
- Publication Date: The primary article, titled “The CIA and the Students,” appeared in the February 1967 issue, with follow-up coverage in subsequent months.
- Authors: The investigation was led by Ramparts editors, notably Sol Stern, with contributions from researchers like Michael Ansara, who uncovered critical documents.
- Core Revelation: The CIA had funneled millions of dollars through seemingly independent organizations to influence intellectual discourse, student movements, and cultural activities, often without the knowledge of the groups’ members or leaders.
- Primary Target: The National Student Association (NSA), a prominent U.S. student organization, was the initial focus. The exposé detailed how the CIA provided funding to the NSA starting in the 1950s to steer its international activities, including anti-communist efforts at global youth festivals.
- Funding Mechanism: The CIA used a network of front foundations—such as the Farfield Foundation, J.M. Kaplan Fund, and Asia Foundation—to disguise its financial support, making it appear as private philanthropy.
Following the NSA revelation, Ramparts and subsequent media investigations (e.g., The New York Times) exposed a much larger web of CIA-backed entities. These included:
- Congress for Cultural Freedom (CCF): A global network of intellectuals and artists, funded with an estimated $800,000–$900,000 annually by the CIA, which published magazines like Encounter and organized anti-communist cultural events across 35 countries.
- Labor Organizations: Groups like the American Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD) received CIA funds to counter leftist unions in Latin America and elsewhere.
- Educational and Humanitarian Groups: Organizations such as the Institute of International Education and various refugee aid groups were implicated, often serving as conduits for CIA influence abroad.
- Media Outlets: Radio Free Europe and other broadcasting entities were linked to CIA subsidies through fronts like the Free Europe Committee.
The Ramparts exposé was a pivotal moment in Cold War history, exposing the CIA’s “soft power” tactics—using culture and education as weapons against communism. It challenged the notion of independent civil society in the U.S. and abroad, revealing how deeply the government had penetrated private institutions. The term “Ramparts exposé” has since become shorthand for this specific unveiling of CIA covert funding, often cited in discussions of intelligence overreach and media accountability.
