Funding

The Heartland Institute is a national nonprofit public policy research and educational organization based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is privately supported and receives no funds from any government at any level, domestic or foreign, nor does it perform any government or other contract work.

During 2023, The Heartland Institute raised approximately $4 million in support from approximately 2,000 individual, foundation, and corporate supporters. Its 2023 income came from the following sources: Foundations 55%, individuals 44%, corporations 1%. Over the years, no corporate donor has contributed more than 5% of Heartland’s total receipts.

The Heartland Institute’s books are audited annually by the accounting firm of Tighe, Kress, & Orr, PC. You can review our latest audit here and our most recent (2023) IRS Form 990 here.

People contribute to The Heartland Institute because they share our belief that better information and understanding can improve public policies in such important areas as education, environmental protection, and health care. Since our founding in 1984, Heartland researchers and writers have discovered and promoted free-market solutions to social and economic problems.

The Heartland Institute enforces policies that limit the role donors may play in the selection of research topics, peer review, and publication plans of the organization. These policies ensure that no Heartland researcher or spokesperson is subject to undue pressure from a donor. We do not take positions in order to appease or avoid losing support from individual donors. We have, in fact, a long record of standing behind our research even when it means losing the support of major donors.

Heartland does not make public the names of its donors.