Guidestar Four Star Charity

The Cato Institute has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities and non-profit organizations. In earning this four star rating, Cato has demonstrated exceptional fiscal responsibility and efficiency.

Making the Case

For more than a quarter century, the Cato Institute has been the most effective voice in Washington, D.C., advocating a smaller, less intrusive federal government. From media appearances, policy studies, and book publishing to Capitol Hill visits, conferences, and outreach to college students, the Cato Institute is America’s leading voice for individual liberty and limited government.

Impacting Public Policy

The Cato Institute provides the only consistent voice for individual liberty and limited government in the Washington policy arena. Thanks to Cato’s work, journalists and policymakers understand that the ideals that animated the American Revolution are alive today, and that substantial numbers of Americans believe in those principles. Since 1977, Cato scholars have been influential in a range of policy debates, including Social Security reform, Medical savings accounts, Term limits, Welfare reform, Fundamental tax reform, Free trade, Role of the Constitution in the courts, School choice and more.

Promoting Principles of Liberty

The Cato Institute provides the only consistent voice for individual liberty and limited government in the Washington policy arena. Thanks to Cato’s work, journalists and policymakers understand that the ideals that animated the American Revolution are alive today, and that substantial numbers of Americans believe in those principles. Since 1977, Cato scholars have been influential in a range of policy debates, including Social Security reform, Medical savings accounts, Term limits, Welfare reform, Fundamental tax reform, Free trade, Role of the Constitution in the courts, School choice and more.

Praise for Cato

“There is no institution that, person for person, dollar for dollar, idea for idea, has been even close to the Cato Institute in advancing fundamental principles.”

—Frederick W. Smith, Chairman and CEO FedEx Corporation

"The Cato Institute is the foremost upholder of the idea of liberty in the nation that is the foremost upholder of the idea of liberty.”

—George F. Will

"From privatizing Social Security to condemning corporate welfare, Cato seems to have moved firmly into the forefront of contemporary thought.”

—Barron’s