The Anti-Corruption Foundation was founded by Alexei Navalny in 2011 to investigate corruption among senior Russian officials and people connected to the country’s ruling elite.
Over time, the ACF grew beyond an investigative project. The organization launched public and political campaigns, developed independent media platforms, supported civic initiatives, and advocated for international sanctions against members of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. The ACF made corruption within the Russian state visible and understandable to millions of people. Through its investigations, the team exposed the ownership of palaces, yachts, luxury apartments, and offshore companies, tracing how wealth was accumulated and revealing the networks connecting government officials, security services, and politically connected business figures. As a result of this work, the Russian authorities launched an extensive political crackdown against the ACF. The organization was designated “extremist” and effectively banned from operating inside Russia. Despite repression, exile, and the killing of Alexei Navalny, the ACF continues its work today.