Some of the reviews out there peg CRC's old leadership as pretty bad. The group's really turned it around since it got new leadership and apparently new staff in 2016. I've followed them for a few years, and their content has improved dramatically -- some of their reporting on the left's crazy activities is very impressive.
Capital Research Center is investigating a lot of the current hot political topics like Antifa and their research often brings the facts to the forefront that is rarely seen in the MSM. I would compare their videos to PragerU because they are short but effective at communicating simply ideas about free markets and exposing the shady realities that go on behind political movements. Scrutiny and transparency is important in politics these days no matter the political party. We should hold every idea to the furnace of refinement and see if it comes out as gold or dross. This organization does a good job at placing that scrutiny to the front for others to make more informed decisions. I like their work on extreme political parties like Antifa but they also do a lot of environmentalist work and labor union work as well. For a smaller think tank, compared to the others on the right politically, Capital Research Center seems to be doing a lot more to get my attention.
I've been following CRC's content for a long time and it just gets better and better! Their YouTube channel is really good and I use their videos regularly to help convince my leftist and centrist friends on various topics. I know they're involved in making a feature film called No Safe Spaces and it sounds like that's going to be really cool too! Their website is also way more active than it used to be, and it's great to see new high quality blog content every day. All in all, CRC's work helps me understands the issues of the day better, and helps prepare me to advocate for my point of view better.
Just an FYI, I see below the review from louperry30 about Mr. Scanlon, and that sounds sketchy I agree, but according to their email newsletter Mr. Scanlon is no longer involved with CRC and has been replaced as president by Scott Walter, so I don't know if that's an issue anymore.
What nonprofit would have adequate governance oversight and accountability if the President of its Board was also its CEO? Yet that is the case with CRC. Their own web site in 2012 states a Mr. Scanlon is both President and CEO. Does he chair a board that evaluates his own performance? Can the Board be objective and independent? Is his $315,000+ compensation package (from their 2010 IRS 990) justified? Hard to know. Not easy to assume yes.
Review from Guidestar