The Independent Institute

http://www.independent.org/

501(c)(3) nonprofit
Employer Identification Number: 94-3008370

Founded in 1986 by libertarian scholar David J. Theroux, who has argued for the benefits of privatizing the prison system, the Institute claims it works with rigorous standards without regard to any political or social biases. Theroux was influential in founding the conservative Cato Institute as well as the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy. The Institute prides itself on receiving no government funding, which the group gives it greater legitimacy. However, it has received significant funding from large foundations, including the John Templeton Foundation and the Jaquelin Hume Foundation. The group is part of the Cooler Heads Coalition, whose work is geared toward dispelling the myths of global warming by exposing flawed economic, scientific, and risk analysis.