Roosevelt Institute

The Roosevelt Institute is a nonprofit American think tank headquartered in New York City. It develops and promotes progressive policy ideas, particularly in economic policy, democratic governance, social welfare, and the institutional legacy associated with Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. Its work combines policy research, public communication, convening, and collaboration with academics, advocates, and public officials. The organization was established in 1987 through the merger of the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Foundation. This origin gave the institution two connected identities: preserving and advancing the ideals associated with Eleanor Roosevelt's work on human rights and social justice, and interpreting Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms and New Deal legacy for contemporary public policy. The institute also became the nonprofit partner to the government-operated Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, the first presidential library in the United States. A major organizational expansion took place in 2007, when the Roosevelt Institute merged with the Roosevelt Institution, an organization later known as the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network. The merger broadened the institute's ability to engage students and younger researchers in policy work. In 2009, it further expanded its policy role through the launch of the Four Freedoms Center, a progressive policy think tank, together with an economic policy blog. These initiatives helped connect historical interpretation and civic education with current debates over economic power, democracy, and government policy. The Roosevelt Institute's public profile has been especially associated with progressive economic analysis. Joseph E. Stiglitz has served as its chief economist, and the institute has published work addressing inequality, taxation, financial regulation, labor markets, public investment, and the role of government in the economy. In 2015, a report authored by Stiglitz presented a broad critique of approximately 35 years of United States economic policy and advanced 37 recommendations, including more progressive taxation and expanded government programs. The report was presented publicly with Elizabeth Warren and Bill de Blasio, and received attention as a statement of the policy direction favored by many progressives. Felicia Wong, formerly associated with the Democracy Alliance, became president and chief executive officer in March 2012. During her leadership, the institute was included in the Democracy Alliance's recommended funding targets in 2015. The organization has also received support from major philanthropic foundations, including the Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and Bauman Foundation, according to referenced public material. The Roosevelt Institute is not a conventional consumer-facing commercial brand. Its reputation rests on intellectual authority, policy advocacy, historical associations, and its ability to place progressive ideas into public debate. Its audiences include policymakers, researchers, journalists, advocacy organizations, students, philanthropists, and members of the public interested in economic and democratic reform. The institute's activities are primarily United States-focused, although its scholarship and affiliations may be relevant to international discussions of inequality, governance, and public economics.

The Roosevelt Institute was formed in 1987 through the merger of two organizations: the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Foundation. The combination brought together institutions devoted respectively to Eleanor Roosevelt's human-rights and social-justice legacy and Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms and New Deal tradition. From its creation, the organization operated as a nonprofit institution linking historical interpretation, civic engagement, and public policy. The institute became the nonprofit partner to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, which is operated by the United States government. The library is historically significant as the country's first presidential library. This relationship gave the institute an institutional connection to the preservation and interpretation of the Roosevelt presidential legacy while allowing it to develop an independent policy and research role. In 2007, the Roosevelt Institute merged with the Roosevelt Institution. The latter subsequently became known as the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network. This development expanded the institute's engagement with students and younger policy thinkers and added a more explicit civic and educational dimension to its work. The merger also strengthened the organization's ability to connect academic and emerging leadership communities with progressive policy debates. The organization broadened its policy activities again in 2009 with the creation of the Four Freedoms Center and the launch of an economic policy blog. The Four Freedoms Center functioned as a progressive policy think tank, while the blog provided a more immediate channel for economic commentary and public communication. Together, these initiatives helped shift the institute beyond historical commemoration toward active participation in debates over economic policy and democratic institutions. Felicia Wong became president and chief executive officer in March 2012 after previously working with the Democracy Alliance. Under the institute's subsequent public profile, progressive economic policy became one of its most visible areas of activity. Joseph E. Stiglitz served as chief economist. In 2015, Stiglitz authored a report that assessed roughly 35 years of United States economic policy and advanced 37 recommendations. The proposals included progressive taxation and an expansion of government programs. The report was publicly presented with Elizabeth Warren and Bill de Blasio and was characterized in contemporary coverage as a policy roadmap for progressives. The institute's funding and network relationships have included support from philanthropic organizations such as the Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and Bauman Foundation. In 2015, the Democracy Alliance included the Roosevelt Institute among its recommended funding targets. These relationships reflect the institute's place within the American progressive policy and philanthropic ecosystem. Today, the Roosevelt Institute is best understood as a nonprofit policy organization rather than a commercial product brand. Its activities center on research, public education, policy recommendations, convening, and civic engagement. Its institutional identity continues to draw authority from the Roosevelt legacy while addressing contemporary questions about inequality, economic governance, public investment, social policy, and democratic accountability.

• 2015

  Stiglitz economic policy report published

  [1]Roosevelt Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Chief economist Joseph E. Stiglitz authored a report criticizing long-term U.S. economic policy and presenting 37 progressive recommendations.

• 2012

  Felicia Wong becomes president and CEO

  [1]Roosevelt Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Felicia Wong became president and chief executive officer of the institute in March.

• 2009

  Four Freedoms Center launched

  [1]Roosevelt Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  The institute launched the Four Freedoms Center and an economic policy blog as part of an expanded progressive policy mission.

• 2007

  Merger with the Roosevelt Institution

  [1]Roosevelt Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  The Roosevelt Institute merged with the Roosevelt Institution, later known as the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network, broadening its student and civic engagement work.

• 1987

  Roosevelt Institute established

  [1]Roosevelt Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  The Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Foundation merged to create the Roosevelt Institute.

A progressive, research-driven public policy institution that connects the Roosevelt legacy with contemporary debates about economic inequality, democratic governance, and the role of government.

• Think-tank research · 1987

  Public policy research

  The institute produces research and recommendations on economic policy, inequality, taxation, public programs, democratic governance, and related questions of political economy. Its research is intended for policymakers, journalists, advocates, scholars, and the wider public rather than for commercial sale.

• Policy program · 2009

  Four Freedoms Center

  Launched in 2009, the Four Freedoms Center is a progressive policy think-tank initiative associated with the Roosevelt Institute. It connects the Four Freedoms tradition with contemporary policy analysis and public debate.

• Civic and educational network · 2007

  Roosevelt Institute Campus Network

  The Campus Network originated through the 2007 merger with the Roosevelt Institution, later adopting the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network name. It provides a platform for student participation in policy discussion, research, and civic engagement.

• Digital publication · 2009

  Economic policy blog

  The institute launched an economic policy blog in 2009 to communicate research and commentary more quickly than through conventional reports and to participate in current public discussions about the economy.

• 2015

  Publication of Stiglitz economic policy platformStrategy

  Background

  The institute sought to articulate a broad progressive response to long-term trends in U.S. economic policy.

  Action taken

  Chief economist Joseph E. Stiglitz published a report containing 37 recommendations, including progressive taxation and expanded government programs.

  Aftermath

  The report attracted national political and media attention as a detailed statement of progressive economic priorities.

  Source

• 2009

  Expansion into progressive policy researchStrategy

  Background

  The organization moved beyond its historical and commemorative roots toward a more active role in contemporary policy debates.

  Action taken

  It launched the Four Freedoms Center and an economic policy blog.

  Aftermath

  The institute developed a more visible progressive think-tank and public communications function.

  Source

• 2007

  Merger with the Roosevelt InstitutionM&A

  Background

  The institute sought to broaden its engagement with students and emerging policy leaders.

  Action taken

  It merged with the Roosevelt Institution, which later became known as the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network.

  Aftermath

  The merger expanded the organization's student, educational, and civic engagement activities.

  Source

• 1987

  Creation through organizational mergerM&A

  Background

  The Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Foundation combined their activities and institutional legacies.

  Action taken

  The two organizations merged to establish the Roosevelt Institute.

  Aftermath

  The new institute combined Roosevelt-related historical stewardship with nonprofit policy and civic work.

  Source

1. 1Roosevelt Instituteen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Roosevelt Institute official websiterooseveltinstitute.org