About the Goldwater Institute

The Goldwater Institute was founded in 1988 by a small group of entrepreneurial Arizonans with the blessing of Sen. Barry Goldwater. Like our namesake, the Goldwater Institute board and staff share a belief in the innate dignity of individual human beings, that America is a nation that grew great through the initiative and ambition of regular men and women, and, that while the legitimate functions of government are conducive to freedom, unrestrained government has proved to be a chief instrument in history for thwarting individual liberty. Through research and education, the Goldwater Institute works to broaden the parameters of policy discussions to allow consideration of policies consistent with the founding principles of free societies.

Watch a video highlighting the work of the Goldwater Institute.

Mission

With the legislature introducing thousands of new bills every year, it's nearly impossible for the average person to know when or where his liberties are threatened, much less do anything about it. The Goldwater Institute works on behalf of Arizonans to keep watch on government and to expand school choice, restore economic liberty, protect private property, and affirm Arizona's independence against unconstitutional federal encroachments.

Research and Information

The Goldwater Institute adheres strictly to its educational mission and does not retain lobbyists or engage in partisan political activity. The Goldwater Institute undertakes an extensive research program, publishing frequent analyses and recommendations on fiscal, education, and constitutional policy issues. Among these is Arizona's most comprehensive legislative watchdog report examining more than 200 votes annually on education, fiscal, property, and regulatory issues. Through extensive research, the Goldwater Institute also provides analysis on transportation policy, unemployment insurance reform, and interstate commerce issues. The Goldwater Institute shares its research through news releases and articles, radio and television appearances, testifying by invitation before legislators and commissions, speaking before community organizations, and hosting policy roundtables, debates, and conferences.

Senior Fellows

The Goldwater Institute works with dozens of scholars across the country and brings internationally respected thinkers from a variety of fields to Phoenix and Tucson. Goldwater Institute Senior Fellows are selected for their exceptional knowledge, respected research, commitment to principle, and personal integrity. Fellows support the Goldwater resident scholars, assisting with research projects by building research designs, conducting background research, reviewing papers, and writing reports. Senior Fellows also participate in Goldwater Institute roundtables, forums and conferences. Senior Fellows and respected guests have included William F. Buckley, Robert Novak, Governor Bill Owens, Hernando de Soto, John Stossel, Ben Stein, and the late Bob Bartley.

Impact

Goldwater Institute research has informed several bi-partisan school choice reforms including charter schools, scholarship tax credits, and vouchers for disabled and foster-care children, making Arizona the number one state in the nation for giving parents greater choice and authority in education decisions. Goldwater Institute research has also been the basis of initiatives to restrain government from improper land takings, reduce regulatory barriers, lower corporate and personal income taxes and limit state spending. Goldwater's research has provided the policy framework for fights against proposed changes to the Arizona Constitution, a statewide ban on smoking in private establishments, mandatory preschool programs, and the consolidation of school districts. The Goldwater Institute is Arizona's most frequently cited research organization, with research and analysis appearing on average three times each day in state and national media outlets.

How the Goldwater Institute is Funded

The Goldwater Institute is supported by hundreds of members in Arizona and more than a dozen states across the country. To ensure its independence, the Goldwater Institute neither seeks nor accepts government funds, and no single contributor provides more than five percent of its revenue. The Goldwater Institute is a tax-exempt educational foundation under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.