Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
The Pelican Institute
| The Pelican Institute | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Affiliation: | Conservative |
| Top official: | Daniel Erspamer, Chief Executive Officer |
| Founder(s): | Kevin Kane |
| Year founded: | 2008 |
| Website: | Official website |
The Pelican Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization in Louisiana. The group's stated mission is "to research and develop policy solutions to address the most significant barriers to opportunity in Louisiana. We educate the public about the benefits of individual liberty and free enterprise, turning great ideas into powerful policy solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives."[1]
Background
The Pelican Institute was founded by Kevin Kane in 2008, who served as the group's leader until his death in 2016. The group's website called Kane "[a] well-respected leader on free-market public policy, his work, alongside other partners in the state, led to the passage in 2017 of landmark criminal justice reforms."[1]
Leadership
As of July 2025, the following individuals served on the board of directors at The Pelican Institute:[2]
- Daniel Erspamer, Chief Executive Officer
- Stephen Gele, Chairman
- Jeb Bruneau
- Abhay Patel
- Nathalie Simon
- Cameron Smith
Work and activities
Legislative and policy work
As of July 2025, the group's website highlighted the following policy areas of interest:[3]
| “ |
Education In the heart of Louisiana, where the spirit of resilience and community shines bright, lies a vision for the future: a world where every child is bestowed with the key to a treasure trove of knowledge—high-quality education. This isn’t just a dream; it’s the foundation upon which the success of every resident and the prosperity of our state rests. Imagine Louisiana as a beacon of economic brilliance, powered by a workforce whose skills and training are unmatched, ready to conquer the challenges of the 21st-century economy. The mission to revolutionize our educational system is more than an economic strategy; it’s a journey of moral significance. It’s our collective responsibility to equip our youth with the tools of knowledge and wisdom, ensuring they’re prepared to navigate the future with confidence and lead Louisiana toward new horizons. Healthcare In recent years, Louisiana’s Medicaid landscape has transformed and grown by leaps and bounds, extending its reach to embrace over 400,000 able-bodied adults over the last two years. This expansion, while ambitious, has inadvertently cast a shadow over the very people Medicaid sought to protect—the vulnerable. It’s time to steer Medicaid back to its roots, to rekindle its original purpose of safeguarding those in urgent need. Envision a reformed Medicaid, not just as a program, but as a beacon of hope, re-engineered to prioritize the vulnerable. By infusing innovation into how care is delivered, we can revolutionize Medicaid into a vessel of healing, lowering costs while elevating health outcomes for all patients. Together, let’s re-imagine Medicaid as a pillar of compassion and efficiency, standing tall in the heart of Louisiana. Tax Reform In Louisiana, the economy’s current state and the departure of many residents highlight a pressing need for thoughtful reforms in both tax and budgetary strategies. Changes are crucial to make Louisiana a more appealing place for businesses and families, suggesting a gentle yet comprehensive revision of the tax code to cover corporate, individual, sales, and income taxes. This would not only stimulate growth but also ensure a fair and transparent economic landscape for all. Equally, there’s a recognized need to improve Louisiana’s approach to budget management. The state’s history of financial uncertainty, marked by emergency sessions for temporary fixes, calls for a shift towards more sustainable, long-term planning. Together, these reforms in tax and budget processes represent a hopeful path forward for Louisiana, aiming to secure a thriving state economy with fairness and stability at its core. Transportation Creating and maintaining a top-notch network of roads is essential for the smooth flow of people, products, and services. Right now, our roads in Louisiana are not making the grade. We all know it’s time for a change — better roads, safer journeys, and less traffic. The solution? Embrace innovation and lean into a free-market strategy for funding and improving our state’s highways. Let’s pave the way for a smoother, more efficient future on Louisiana’s roads. Technology & Innovation Innovation, along with the groundbreaking technology it spawns, has significantly enhanced our lives in ways too vast to quantify. From ensuring access to clean water and providing transportation options that connect us to any destination, to pioneering the information revolution, these technological advancements are indispensable to our daily existence. However, government intervention frequently causes obstacles in the journey of technological progress. Overbearing regulations and bureaucratic hurdles often hinder the ability of innovators to enrich our lives. Louisiana is often trailing in the adoption of new technologies, a situation that not only suppresses innovation and job growth but also disadvantages consumers. This regulatory environment needs to foster an ecosystem where innovation can thrive, benefiting all of Louisiana. Opportunity Systemic poverty threatens human dignity, endangers families, and is fundamentally antithetical to the American experiment. Unfortunately, too many of our government policies in the areas of criminal justice reform, social safety nets, workforce development, and occupational licensure present barriers to economic mobility and block off pathways to opportunity.[4] |
” |
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of The Pelican Institute's revenues and expenses from 2011 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $428,000 | $509,574 |
| 2012 | $292,911 | $267,860 |
| 2013 | $241,499 | $243,429 |
| 2014 | $344,736 | $338,681 |
| 2015 | $278,279 | $281,876 |
| 2016 | $344,801 | $334,416 |
| 2017 | $822,459 | $492,322 |
| 2018 | $936,371 | $1.1 million |
| 2019 | $1.5 million | $1.7 million |
| 2020 | $1.5 million | $1.3 million |
| 2021 | $2.3 million | $1.7 million |
| 2022 | $2.3 million | $2.3 million |
| 2023 | $2.6 million | $2.9 million |
See also
External links
- The Pelican Institute official website
- The Pelican Institute on YouTube
- The Pelican Institute on Facebook
- The Pelican Institute on Instagram
- The Pelican Institute on X
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Pelican Insitute, "About," accessed July 22, 2025
- ↑ The Pelican Institute, "Board of Directors," accessed July 22, 2025
- ↑ The Pelican Institute, "Our Focus," accessed July 22, 2025
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| |||||||
