The Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., does considerable research on poverty and welfare. Its staff includes nearly 20 experts on various aspects of these issues; see a list.

The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan institute that promotes freedom and justice in a wide variety of issues. Daniella Gibbs Leger is the executive vice president of communications and strategy.

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity is a foundation-led, nonpartisan initiative in Washington, D.C., that works to implement public policies that will reduce poverty and increase opportunity in the U.S. Contact media contact Adam Bradley.

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research is a public policy research organization whose focus includes poverty and welfare, democracy and society and education. For media inquiries, contact Jennifer Clark.

The Coalition on Human Needs in Washington, D.C., is an alliance of national organizations that advocate policies to help low-income people. Deborah Weinstein is executive director.

The Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, D.C., works to end child poverty. The organization has a list of regional contacts across the country.

The Center for Law and Social Policy is based in Washington, D.C., and works to improve the lives of low-income families; see its poverty page. Tom Salyers is the director of communications.

The Center for Community Change is a grassroots organization in Washington, D.C., that helps empower low-income people to improve their communities and public policies. Contact through communications director Donna de la Cruz.

Thomas Ryan is director of the North American Paulist center in Washington, D.C.  He is the author of Prayer of Heart and Body: Meditation and Yoga as Christian Spiritual Practice. He is also the editor of Reclaiming the Body in Christian Spirituality.