Kansas Policy Institute
| Kansas Policy Institute | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Kansas |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Affiliation: | Nonpartisan |
| Top official: | Dave Trabert, CEO |
| Year founded: | 1996 |
| Website: | Official website |
The Kansas Policy Institute was founded in 1996 as an independent voice on public policy in Kansas. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank dedicated to limited government, open markets, individual freedom and responsibility. Its vision is "Equal opportunity for every Kansan to pursue success and the fulfillment of their individual promise of liberty as set out in America’s founding documents."[1]
Background
The Kansas Policy Institute was found in Wichita, Kansas in 1996, and in 2012, it opened a second office in Overland Park, Kansas.[1] Its mission is to "engage citizens and policymakers with research and information to enact public policy solutions that protect the constitutional right to freedom of all Kansans, give them greater access to better educational opportunities, and allow them to keep more of what they earn. By protecting and promoting freedom, we will improve everyone’s quality of life, make Kansas more competitive with other states, and attract new citizens and businesses."[1]
Leadership
As of July 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at the Kansas Policy Institute:[2]
- Dave Trabert, CEO
- James Franko, President
Work and activities
Legislative and policy work
The Kansas Policy Institute lists two issue areas: student-focused education and tax & spending. On student-focused education, the organization's website said, "We promote policies that put students’ needs first and improve access to quality education through choice, competition, and accountability. We believe every student should have equal access to educational opportunities that successfully prepare them for college or a career, but that’s not the case in Kansas."[3] On tax and spending, it said, "We provide citizens and government officials with research and proven ideas to provide the same or better quality of service at the best possible price and reduce the size and scope of government."[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 Kansas Policy Institute's revenues and expenses from 2011 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.7 million | $2.0 million |
| 2022 | $3.2 million | $1.5 million |
| 2021 | $1.5 million | $1.4 million |
| 2020 | $1.4 million | $1.3 million |
| 2019 | $1.5 million | $1.2 million |
| 2018 | $1.2 million | $0.8 million |
| 2017 | $1.0 million | $0.8 million |
| 2016 | $0.9 million | $0.9 million |
| 2015 | $0.9 million | $0.9 million |
| 2014 | $0.8 million | $0.9 million |
| 2013 | $0.8 million | $0.6 million |
| 2012 | $0.6 million | $0.6 million |
| 2011 | $0.6 million | $0.6 million |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kansas Policy Institute, "Vision, Mission, and History," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ Kansas Policy Institute, "Board of Trustees, Officers, & Founders Circle," July 28, 2025
- ↑ Kansas Policy Institute, "Student-Focused Education," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ Kansas Policy Institute, "Tax & Spending," accessed July 28, 2025
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