Roosevelt Institute

Roosevelt Institute. The Roosevelt Institute is a progressive think tank and nonprofit organization dedicated to carrying forward the legacy and values of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. Headquartered in New York City, it focuses on developing and promoting policy ideas aimed at creating a more equitable economy and a robust democracy. The organization conducts research, publishes influential reports, and cultivates a network of policy leaders and scholars to advance systemic reform across the United States.

History

The organization was established in 1987 as the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, initially based at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York. Its early work centered on preserving the historical legacy of the Roosevelt family and supporting scholarly work at the presidential library. A significant shift occurred in the 2000s, notably after merging with the New York-based think tank the New Deal 2.0 network, which refocused its mission toward active policy engagement. This transformation was solidified under the leadership of individuals like Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, a granddaughter of the former First Lady, who served as board chair. The organization rebranded to its current name and moved its primary operations to New York City, aligning its work more directly with contemporary economic and political challenges following events like the Great Recession.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to rebalance power in the American economy and democracy by confronting structures of concentrated corporate and political influence. Its activities are centered on four key pillars: rewriting the rules of the economy, building a more accountable state, defending the right to organize, and reclaiming public goods. The institute engages in high-level policy development, often providing frameworks for legislators in Washington, D.C. and state capitals. It actively partners with grassroots organizations, labor unions like the AFL–CIO, and other progressive groups such as the Center for American Progress to advocate for policies addressing climate change, student debt, and workers' rights. A major ongoing initiative is its work on confronting monopoly power and revitalizing antitrust enforcement, influencing debates within the Federal Trade Commission and the United States Department of Justice.

Leadership and governance

The organization is led by President and CEO Felicia Wong, a prominent figure in progressive policy circles who previously worked in the Clinton administration and for the Democracy Alliance. The Board of Directors includes notable academics, former government officials, and descendants of the Roosevelt family, such as historian and author David Woolner. The institute's governance structure also incorporates a network of senior fellows and advisors, including influential economists like Joseph Stiglitz and Mike Konczal, who guide its research direction. This leadership team works to steward the organization's strategy and maintain its partnerships with key institutions like the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations, which provide significant philanthropic support.

Publications and research

It produces a wide array of publications that shape policy discourse, from in-depth white papers and books to regular commentary and data briefs. Seminal reports include "*Rewriting the Rules of the American Economy*," co-authored with Joseph Stiglitz, which outlines a comprehensive agenda for combating inequality. The institute's researchers frequently publish op-eds in major outlets like *The New York Times* and *The Washington Post*, and its analysis is cited in hearings before the United States Congress. Key research areas encompass the future of work, the racial wealth gap, the care economy, and the intersection of climate policy with economic justice. Its work often critiques the influence of major corporations like Amazon and frameworks established by the Chicago school of economics.

Affiliated programs

Several flagship programs operate under its umbrella to cultivate leadership and advance specific policy goals. The **Roosevelt Network** (formerly the **Campus Network**) mobilizes thousands of students at colleges and universities across the country, including University of California, Berkeley and Howard University, to engage in policy research and advocacy. The **Corporate Power Program** focuses specifically on challenging concentrated economic power and advancing antitrust reforms. Another key initiative is the **Roosevelt Institute Fellowship**, which brings together academics, journalists, and former policymakers, such as those who have worked in the Obama administration, to develop innovative policy proposals. These programs are designed to create a pipeline of ideas and leaders that influence the broader progressive movement and institutions like the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Category:Think tanks based in New York City Category:Public policy organizations based in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1987