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Institute for Reforming Government
| Institute for Reforming Government | |
 | |
| 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
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope. Know of one we missed? Click here to let us know.
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.
| 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
- Institute for Reforming Government official website
- Institute for Reforming Government on Facebook
- Institute for Reforming Government on X
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Institute for Reforming Government, "Home page," accessed September 23, 2025
- ↑ Bradley Impact Fund, "Grant Recipient Spotlight: Institute for Reforming Government," accessed September 23, 2025
- ↑ Institute for Reforming Government, "Our Story," accessed September 23, 2025
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Institute for Reforming Government, "Our People," accessed September 23, 2025
- ↑ Institute for Reforming Government, "Our Policy Issues," accessed September 23, 2025
- ↑ State Policy Network, "Directory," accessed September 23, 2025
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