Our Mission
Pioneer’s mission is to empower Americans with choices and opportunities to live freely and thrive. Working with state policymakers, we use expert research, educational initiatives, legal action and coalition-building to advance human potential in four critical areas: K-12 Education, Health, Economic Opportunity, and American Civic Values.
Our Vision
Parents can choose the best educational option for their children. Patients can access treatments to lead healthy lives. Residents can stay in their communities because local businesses offer plentiful jobs, and there’s sufficient, affordable housing. Citizens have access to public information and a renewed sense of connection to each other and their country.
Our Value Proposition
Pioneer Institute’s expertise in education, health, and economic opportunity is grounded in our core values. We believe individuals make the best choices for themselves, their families, businesses and communities if they are provided with thoughtful, readily-understood analysis. We provide practical, innovative solutions and engage key audiences with evidence-based research, educational content and inspiring stories. We deploy tactical approaches—legal action, campaigns, and community and business coalition-building—to advance state-level policy innovation.
Core Values
ACCOUNTABILITY
We believe in informed citizenship, which requires government transparency and open access to public information, and holding institutions accountable for their actions and decisions.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
We pursue solutions with ingenuity, creatively exploring more than legislation and blending both traditional and unconventional methods to deliver practical, innovative solutions with tangible impacts on public policy and real life.
FOCUS
We bring deep expertise and specialization in three future-defining issues—education, health, and economic opportunity—to our state partners. We seek partners with knowledge on the ground, who are also committed to delivering practical solutions with real-life, measurable benefits.
FREEDOM
We champion individual choice and autonomy within a market-based system. Our vision fosters a society where everyone can pursue their best interests freely.
INNOVATION
We prioritize innovative solutions and policy experimentation over the maintenance of outdated systems. We focus on states, where policies are closest to the people they affect and where, over time, continuous, thoughtful improvements can be made.
INTEGRITY
Our advocacy is independent. With intellectual curiosity and rigor, we use data-informed analysis to advance clear and straightforward recommendations free of political influence.
Impact
WHEN WE SUCCEED
Parents can choose the best educational option for their children. Patients can access treatments to lead healthy lives. Residents can stay in their communities because local businesses offer plentiful jobs, and there’s sufficient, affordable housing. Citizens have access to public information and a renewed sense of connection to each other and their country.