Raymond J. Struyk is a senior fellow at the Urban Institute and the author of Reconstructive Critics: Think Tanks in Post Soviet Bloc Democracies.

The advent of democracy in Eastern Europe and Russia has created a special role for private foundations. These groups now provide advice to both government and private clients. They face numerous difficulties. Culturally, there is little history of free and open analysis, and private foundations have been dependant on Western sponsors for support. Raymond Struyk describes their accomplishments and challenges.