Q. Why does the Institute need my support?
What many people fail to realize is that the public policy recommendations that the C.D. Howe Institute makes will help to shape the programs of these organizations and the society in which they operate. Public policy research is a low-profile yet powerful tool. Good policies, properly implemented, can help lift a person from poverty, improve the education outcomes of children, or ensure a healthy climate for economic growth and job creation. Policy research creates a lasting legacy for the nation in the form of increased social and economic well-being, and improved opportunities for all.
The C.D. Howe Institute has operated with a staff and budget that are modest in size relative to the scope of its mandate and the resources of other think tanks. As time passes, the demands on the Institute are increasing. The risks and opportunities confronting policymakers are as urgent as ever. The complexity of issues is increasing, moreover: new theories and evidence require more analytical depth. The C.D. Howe Institute needs your charitable support to continue the exceptional work that it is currently undertaking and also to increase the scope and complexity of its current focus.
Q. There are other think tanks that provide similar services, why should I support the C.D. Howe Institute?
A. In measuring the effectiveness of a think tank, there are specific areas where the organization should excel. In each of these respective categories, the C.D. Howe Institute has illustrated that with fewer resources than many similar organizations, it continues to achieve exceptional results:
One of Canada’s Foremost Centres for Policy Expertise and Influence: A measure of the C.D. Howe Institute’s success is the quality of its human capital: its staff, its Board of Directors, its members, and the authors and speakers it has engaged over the past five decades. It has had top corporate leaders as Directors, university presidents as members, key elected and public-service officials as event participants, and the nation’s best minds as authors and scholars.
Turning resources into high-visibility output: A critical measure of a think tank’s effectiveness is its conversion of support into high-impact output. The C.D. Howe Institute is noted for its productivity in turning its resources into publications and events, and for the visibility of its activities in high-quality media citations.
Peer-reviewed leadership in policy research: Another useful measure of a think tank’s efficiency is the quality of its research. The C.D. Howe Institute publishes papers that are both respected and referenced by experts in their respective fields.
Credibility Where it Counts: The C.D Howe Institute commands the attention and respect of Canada’s top opinion leaders and policymakers. The quality of the Institute’s research and its capability to pull together decision makers for off-the-record discussions is unequaled.
Q. I thought that paying membership fees would be enough to support the Institute. Is that not the case?
A. While current membership fees and special project grants support the core operations of the Institute and help to ensure the Institute remains relevant, they do not provide sufficient funds for the Institute to second scholars from universities or the public/private sector. The Institute does not have the resources to support an in-house team that can facilitate rapid response in a multitude of areas nor can they dedicate attention to specialized audiences or all regions of Canada.