Institute

Even though guaranteed income was a mainstream, moderate idea in the 1960s, and similar ideas inspired mass movements in the 1890s and 1930s, most people are unfamiliar with the idea. Unfamiliarity often leads to dismissal. That dismissal – particularly by journalists, publishers, politicians, and other gatekeepers of public discourse – reinforces the status quo.

The Income Security Institute is a center for education and research, nonprofit  and nonpartisan or transpartisan. People use various terms and names to describe income security for all — basic income, basic economic security, basic income guarantee, Citizen Dividends, citizen’s income, guaranteed income, guaranteed annual income, guaranteed livable income, national dividend, national tax rebate, negative income tax, predictable income, social credit, social dividends, stakeholder dividends, universal income, and others — and we welcome all supporters and constructive critics.

The Institute will operate with a very lean structure, and is currently managing on a strictly volunteer basis. As soon as funds permit, we will complete our filing with the IRS to be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. At that point contributions will be fully tax-deductible.

We will be seeking to hire an executive director who has experience launching a nonprofit organization, along with a core staff. Our plan is to work with existing organizations and institutions wherever possible, encouraging them to direct some portion of their resources to consider the idea of universal income security.

Our educational mission will be served through expanding this web site and preparing materials that people can use to educate themselves, their family members, friends, neighbors, and elected officials. Our research mission will mostly be carried out through alliances with think tanks, universities, government agencies, and similar institutions. In both areas, education and research, we expect to coordinate our activities with efforts in other countries, though our focus will of course be the United States.