RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate the Commonwealth Foundation Right-Center Biased for consistently promoting free-market economics, limited government, school choice, and skepticism toward progressive social and climate policies. We also rate it Mostly Factual, as the organization generally bases its arguments on identifiable data and official sources, but strong ideological framing and selective presentation of evidence reduce balance and neutrality.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (4.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.6)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The Commonwealth Foundation is a Pennsylvania-based free-market policy organization focused on transforming conservative and libertarian ideas into public policy. According to its About page, the foundation positions itself as a response to government overreach, taxation, and regulatory expansion, with a mission centered on education reform, economic freedom, and personal empowerment. The organization highlights policy accomplishments in areas such as school choice expansion, tax credit scholarships, pension reform, and limits on executive emergency powers.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
The Commonwealth Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. While it solicits donations on its website, it does not disclose the names of individual donors, thereby limiting transparency. According to InfluenceWatch, it is affiliated with the State Policy Network (SPN), a coalition of conservative think tanks funded by organizations such as DonorsTrust, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Bradley Foundation. SPN members have been linked to opposition to climate policy and national deregulatory campaigns.
Analysis / Bias
The Commonwealth Foundation functions as an ideological policy think tank rather than a neutral information source. Its commentary section publishes opinion-driven articles that consistently promote conservative and free-market viewpoints. For example, the education commentary “The kids are not all right” argues that DEI initiatives, cultural politics, and teachers’ unions are central causes of declining academic performance, using strongly opinionated language and cultural framing.
In healthcare coverage, “The Myths and Misinformation of Medicaid” disputes claims made by Josh Shapiro regarding Medicaid cuts, relying on Congressional Budget Office projections while framing government spending growth through a fiscally conservative lens.
Climate-related content, such as “Op-Ed: In Pennsylvania, Scientific and Economic Realities Unsettle Climate Change Morality Plays”, challenges climate policy initiatives like cap-and-trade and RGGI participation, emphasizing economic impacts and skepticism toward regulatory climate solutions. While these articles frequently cite government data, studies, or budget figures, opposing perspectives are often minimized or portrayed negatively, resulting in consistent one-sided framing aligned with conservative policy advocacy.
Failed Fact Checks
- There are no direct failed fact checks of the Commonwealth Foundation. However, its association with the State Policy Network, which has supported climate denial and anti-regulatory lobbying, raises concerns about the selective use of evidence and ideological framing.
Overall, we rate the Commonwealth Foundation Right-Center Biased for consistently promoting free-market economics, limited government, school choice, and skepticism toward progressive social and climate policies. We also rate it Mostly Factual, as the organization generally bases its arguments on identifiable data and official sources, but strong ideological framing and selective presentation of evidence reduce balance and neutrality. (D. Van Zandt 01/11/2026)
Source: https://commonwealthfoundation.org/
Last Updated on January 11, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources