Pioneer Institute, is an independent, non-partisan, privately funded think tank

Think tank

A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...

 founded by Lovett C. Peters in 1988, a major contributor to conservative candidates and foundations such as the Club for Growth

Club for Growth

The Club for Growth is a politically conservative 527 organization active in the United States of America, with an agenda focussed on taxation and other economic issues, and with an affiliated political action committee . The Club advocates lower taxes, limited government, less government spending,...

 and Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity is a Washington, D.C.–based political advocacy group. According to their literature, they promote economic policy that supports business, and restrains regulation by government...

. James Stergios is Pioneer's Executive Director. The Massachusetts

Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...

-based think tank describes itself as seeking to change the intellectual climate in Massachusetts by supporting scholarship that challenges the "conventional wisdom" on Massachusetts public policy issues. The Institute believes that individual freedom and responsibility, limited and accountable government, and the expanded application of free-market principles to public policy contribute to greater human dignity, happiness, and economic prosperity.
Pioneer became a leading champion of charter schools in the 1990s. In 2006, Pioneer established the Center for School Reform, which promotes choice, competition and school-based management in the public school system. Pioneer also focuses on streamlining state and local government by advocating a free-market philosophy in government service delivery and eliminating regulation. In 1991, Pioneer launched the Better Government Competition, a grass roots citizens’ ideas contest to improve the cost-effectiveness of state and local government. In 1997, Pioneer began The Shamie Center for Restructuring Government, named in honor of Ray Shamie

Ray Shamie

Raymond Shamie was an American politician from the state of Massachusetts. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was twice a Massachusetts Republican nominee for the United States Senate, and served as the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party from 1987 to 1991.In 1982, Shamie, a millionaire...

, a long-time Pioneer board member. A third primary issue is economic opportunity. Pioneer's Center for Economic Opportunity works to strengthen the private and public sector business assistance available to low-income urban entrepreneurs and shape public policy that enables the start-up and growth of new businesses. The Center also works to influence statewide economic development policy to promote a competitive economic climate in Massachusetts. Other issues include environments and health care.

External links

• Pioneer Institute website
• List of think tanks