Wealthy Democrats Seek Policy Influence

Alliance hopes to rival conservatives’ impact on education issues.

A new effort by wealthy Democrats to create and finance a network of think tanks to rival similar institutions on the political right will include efforts to nurture what backers consider progressive ideas and programs for education.

The Democracy Alliance has attracted more than 80 donors, each pledging at least $1 million over five years to help pay for a variety of left-leaning think tanks. The goal is to cultivate a robust web of organizations that will foster progressive ideas in such areas as economics, health care, foreign policy, and education, said Rob Stein, a veteran Democratic strategist and the founder of the alliance, based in Arlington, Va.

“This is a simple concept,” Mr. Stein said in an interview this month. “We want to create a more efficient marketplace...