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History

The Project On Government Oversight started in 1981 as a small Pentagon watchdog. With the help of Pentagon insiders and government documents, our small organization shined a spotlight on wasteful Pentagon spending.  

Over the more than 40 years since, we’ve expanded our mission to focus on the entire federal government, fighting for a more effective, accountable, and equitable democracy. As our organization has grown, we’ve formed partnerships and taken on programs that improve our expertise and strengthen our ability to execute our mission.  

  • In 2003, POGO and other strategic partners launched the Ridenhour Prizes, an annual event that recognizes, celebrates, and amplifies the stories of individuals who persevere in acts of truth-telling to strengthen our democracy and illuminate a more just vision of society.    
  • In 2006, POGO launched the Congressional Oversight Initiative to help train congressional staffers from both sides of the aisle to conduct more effective oversight. 
  • In 2012, we added the Center for Defense Information to fight for a more effective national security policy, one that protects our country and the service members fighting for it.   
  • In 2016, the Center for Effective Government (formerly known as OMB Watch) joined POGO, bringing its expertise the organization to bolster our fight for a federal government that is transparent and accountable to the American people.  
  • In 2017, POGO was joined by The Constitution Project, which strives to safeguard our constitutional rights when the government exercises power in the name of national security and domestic policing, including ensuring our institutions serve as a check on that power.     
  • In 2022, Open The Government,a coalition fighting for transparency and accountability, joined POGO to advance open government reforms centering on racial equity.     

As POGO continues to grow, evolve, and take on new challenges, we will always work in pursuit of our mission to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable government for all.