Institute for Reforming Government

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Institute for Reforming Government
Ifrg1.png
Basic facts
Location:Delafield, Wisconsin
Type:501(c)(3)
Top official:CJ Szafir, Chief Executive Officer
Year founded:2017
Website:Official website


The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Wisconsin. The organization describes its purpose as "developing policy reforms, engaging communities, and holding government accountable, IRG wants to give all Wisconsinites an opportunity to succeed and prosper."[1]

Background

The Institute for Reforming Government was founded in 2017.[2] As of September 2025, the organization had the following mission statement:[3]

The Institute for Reforming Government’s main focus will be to remove the onerous barriers and red tape separating the individual from an efficient and functioning government. Be it local, state, or federal governance, it is the mission of the Institute for Reforming Government to encourage educate and inform people about all levels of government, based on what has worked in states across the country. Through diligent research and effective outreach, the Institute for Reforming Government will work to remove the stumbling blocks that have created a slow-moving, expensive behemoth of governance that works against the will of the people.[4]

Leadership

As of September 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at the Institute for Reforming Government:[5]

  • CJ Szafir, chief executive officer
  • Chris Reader, chief operating officer
  • Alesha Guenther, director of marketing and communications
  • Quinton Klabon, senior research director
  • Courtney Gustafson, director of external affairs
  • Elizabeth Evenson, senior director of operations
  • Jake Curtis, general counsel and director of CIO
  • Nelson Ritthaler, director of donor and stakeholder relations
  • Daniel Suhr, adjunct legal fellow

As of September 2025, the following individuals sat on the Institute for Reforming Government's board of directors:[5]

  • Alison Prange, chairwoman
  • Bill Johnson, treasurer
  • Ivan Gamboa
  • Rob McDonald
  • Jim Villa

Work and activities

The Institute for Reforming Government conducts policy research, investigations into government activity, and engagement efforts with communities in Wisconsin.[1]

Legislative and policy work

As of September 2025, the Institute for Reforming Government had policy positions on the following seven issues:[6]

  • Income Tax Elimination
  • K-12 Education and Higher Education
  • State Budget
  • Government Accountability
  • Healthcare Reform
  • Economic Growth
  • State Agency 101s

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

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Affiliations

The Institute for Reforming Government is, as of September 2025, one of five Wisconsin organizations affiliated with the State Policy Network.[7]

Finances

The following is a breakdown of the Institute for Reforming Government's revenues and expenses from 2018 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica.

Institute for Reforming Government financial data 2018-2023
Year Revenue Expenses
2018 $0.3 million $0.1 million
2019 $0.3 million $0.3 million
2020 $1.0 million $0.3 million
2021 $1.2 million $0.9 million
2022 $1.4 million $1.4 million
2023 $1.2 million $1.4 million

See also

External links

Footnotes