12.2

Million Visits to Cato Websites

Cato’s websites—including Cato​.org, Lib​er​tar​i​an​ism​.org, Human​Progress​.org, and ElCato.org—attract more than 12 million visits annually, serving as a vital hub for policy analysis, libertarian ideas, and fact-based arguments that challenge government overreach and promote individual freedom.

2,000

Media Appearances

Cato experts regularly appear on television, radio, and podcasts throughout the year. The prominent media presence of Cato scholars ensures that a libertarian perspective on current events is heard across the country.

600

Op-eds Published

Cato experts play a key role in educating leaders, decisionmakers, and the public through hundreds of sharply crafted op-eds in major media outlets.

1.8

Million Social Media Followers

Cato’s voice in policy debates is amplified through our social media channels on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

200

Studies

Cato’s nonpartisan, data-driven scholarly work on key policy topics is frequently praised and cited by politicians, pundits, and citizens across the ideological spectrum.

8

Books

Cato’s books provide the intellectual foundation for libertarian policy, shaping the debates that drive real change. Praised by Nobel laureates and leading critics worldwide, these works challenge conventional wisdom and equip policymakers, scholars, and citizens with the ideas that advance liberty.

70

Interns

To fulfill our vision of a freer tomorrow, we empower young leaders and educate them in libertarian thought and public policy issues through the highly competitive Cato internship program, which in the most recent cohort had nearly 1,200 applications and an acceptance rate of 2.3 percent.

530

Student Visitors

Each year, more than 500 students from across the country visit Cato headquarters in Washington, DC, to attend a variety of events geared toward educating and inspiring young people.

12,000

Teachers

Cato has built a network of more than 12,000 teachers through the Sphere Education Initiatives, equipping them with training, resources, and lesson plans to restore civic culture in their classrooms.

1.5 Million+

Students

Teachers participating in Sphere bring Cato’s educational materials and policy solutions into their classrooms, fostering meaningful discussions and reaching more than one million students nationwide.

320

Congressional Meetings

Cato experts’ ideas and solutions are in demand. Staff met with more than 135 congressional offices from both parties 320 times in 2024 through conferences, phone calls, and in-person meetings.

285

Meetings with State Legislators and Senior Policy Staff

Cato is prioritizing state-based solutions. Staff educated state legislators on a variety of policy issues facing their constituencies, including energy costs, education, and expanding access to mental health resources.

30

Federal Testimonies

6

State Testimonies, and

14

Statements for the Record

Increased investments in our Government Affairs team resulted in the highest number of testimonies by Cato scholars in eight years. On average, Cato scholars testified before Congress once every week that Congress was in session, delivering a total of 30 federal testimonies in 2024.

96

Participants in Congressional Fellowship Program

Cato’s reputation as a trusted nonpartisan voice allows us to reach diverse audiences with our ideas and policy solutions. The Congressional Fellowship program engages Democratic and Republican congressional staff—a rare occurrence on Capitol Hill—to find common ground and learn about libertarian policy and philosophy.