In its more than three decades of existence, the Cato Institute has never undertaken as ambitious a program as the $50 million capital campaign it is now launching.

We’ve named this effort “Liberating the Future,” because no organization is more committed to the principles of freedom that have made America a beacon for the world.

This far-reaching initiative involves the addition, over a period of years, of nearly 50 policy, communications, and support staff members, and an approximately $9 million increase in our annual budget by 2014 — reflecting increased programs, publications, outreach, and events.

As part of this initiative we purchased the building adjacent to our 1000 Massachusetts Avenue headquarters in Washington, D.C. During 2010 we will demolish the acquired building and begin construction on an expanded headquarters.

Doubling the size of our facilities plays a major role in expanding our influence.

In addition to providing space for bringing aboard new scholars, it will provide key new capabilities, including a larger auditorium, state-of-the-art multimedia studio, and greater opportunities for the media and public to access our wealth of resources.

The new scholars joining Cato will be highly skilled analysts who will bring new and enhanced focus to areas that include

  • Money and Banking
  • Regulatory Affairs
  • Environmental Studies
  • Labor and Employment Policy
  • Center for Constitutional Studies
  • Communications Freedom
  • Visiting Fellows Program
  • Foreign Policy and Defense
  • Bioethics
  • Science and Risk
  • International Studies
  • Drug Policy/​Penal Code Reform
  • Young Leaders Program

But our goal is not simply to have more staff or a bigger Institute. It is to make Cato an even more effective institution for diagnosing political, economic, and social problems; for providing clear and sensible policy perspectives; and for advancing the principles of limited government. Cato’s mission and strengths are more necessary today than ever before.

The last decade amply demonstrated the harmful effects of runaway government.

With the scholars and resources the Cato Institute will gain through our “Liberating the Future” capital campaign, we will be better able to forge a new path to limited, constitutional government and the triumph of freedom that has been our mission — and our passion — for more than 30 years.

The novelist/​philosopher Ayn Rand once wrote, “Anyone who fights for the future, lives in it today.” Cato’s campaign, “Liberating the Future,” is our plan and renewed commitment to continue that fight.

We invite you to join us.