Fund a project
Support a specific research product, such as the Michigan ALPR governance comparison, a youth-sports measurement pilot or a workforce-pathway feasibility study.
Discuss a projectSupport Northstar Civic Institute
Help keep Michigan’s public-interest research independent.
Northstar Civic Institute is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Support makes it possible to publish research that is free to read, clearly sourced and useful to the people making decisions about public systems.
Ways to support
Four ways to help the work move.
Make a gift
Gifts to Northstar Civic Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Gifts support NCI’s general research program unless you designate a project.
Give onlineArrange a gift by emailPartner on research
Share public records, host a limited pilot, review draft field definitions or co-design an evaluation with NCI.
Propose a research partnershipShare the work
Send a brief to someone who makes decisions about these systems: a council member, superintendent, athletic director or agency lead.
Browse briefsIndependence
How support is handled.
- Funders do not review or approve findings or analysis.
- Each brief identifies evidence, NCI analysis and implementation options separately and states its evidence limits.
- Support for a project does not change what the research concludes.
- NCI is nonpartisan: it does not endorse or oppose candidates, political parties, legislation or ballot measures.