The Cato Institute is a Washington, D.C.-based public policy research organization (libertarian think tank) founded in 1977 that promotes individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace through research, commentary, and public events. Type: Non-profit think tank (501(c)(3) public policy research institute)
Advocates for limited government, lower taxes, deregulation, free trade, civil liberties and privacy, criminal justice reform, school choice, immigration reform, noninterventionist foreign policy, and market-based health and monetary policies.
Primarily funded by private contributions from individuals and philanthropic foundations, along with program revenue and an endowment; the institute does not accept government funding.
Founders and prominent figures include Edward H. Crane, Murray Rothbard, and Charles Koch; past and current leaders and scholars have included Robert A. Levy, David Boaz, John A. Allison IV, and Peter N. Goettler; frequent collaborative partners include organizations such as the Fraser Institute, the Institute for Humane Studies, and like-minded public policy groups.
