The Independent Institute is a non-profit, non-partisan, scholarly research and educational organization that sponsors in-depth studies of critical social and economic issues.

The mission of the Independent Institute is to boldly advance peaceful, prosperous, and free societies grounded in a commitment to human worth and dignity.

Today, the influence of partisan interests is so pervasive that public-policy debate has become too politicized and is largely confined to a narrow reconsideration of existing policies. In order to fully understand the nature of public issues and possible solutions, the Institute’s program adheres to the highest standards of independent scholarly inquiry.

The resulting studies are published and widely distributed as books, articles in The Independent Review, Policy Reports, Working Papers, and other publications. Events sponsored by the Institute bring together scholars and policy experts to debate issues and discuss their implications. This work is conducted in conjunction with a series of educational centers:

• The Center on Culture and Civil Society
• The Center on Educational Excellence
• The Center on Entrepreneurial Innovation
• The Center on Global Prosperity
• The Center on Health and the Environment
• The Center on Law and Justice
• The Center on Peace and Liberty

In addition, the Institute publishes the quarterly newsletter, The Independent and sends out the weekly email newsletter, The Lighthouse. We maintain an extensive online archive of Institute articles and studies on a variety of topics.

Student programs include the Sir John M. Templeton Fellowships Essay Contest for college students and junior faculty members, The Challenge of Liberty Summer Seminars for high school and college students, Student Internships for college students, and The Independent Scholarship Fund, providing tuition assistance for K–12 students to attend private schools in the Bay Area.

The Independent Institute receives no government funding. Instead, it draws its support from a diverse range of foundations, businesses, and individuals, and from the sale of its publications. Contributions to the Independent Institute are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Independent Institute members receive Institute publications plus discounts to Independent Policy Forums and other events.

Through uncommon independence, depth, and clarity, the Independent Institute expands the frontiers of our knowledge of public policy and fosters new and effective directions for government reform.