We are the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth
Founded in 1996, MassINC’s mission is to provide the people of Massachusetts with the information they need to participate fully in our democracy. We are a nonpartisan 501c3 and achieve impact through independent research, nonprofit journalism and civic engagement.
Non-partisan
Policy center
The nonprofit Massinc Policy Center produces rigorous, nonpartisan research and collaborates with civic leaders to find solutions to complex social and economic challenges.
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Non-profit
Civic journal
CommonWealth publishes in-depth, balanced, and independent journalism. It covers politics, policy, ideas, and civic life, with an emphasis on investigative reporting, in-depth analysis, and political mapping.
Visit CommonWealth Magazine
Independent
Polling group
The MassINC Polling Group is a full-service survey opinion research company offering public opinion research to public, private, and social sector clients.
Visit the MassINC Polling GroupFeatured
Latest articles
How Lynn is revamping its housing strategy
Gateways Episode 69
For decades, planning for the city of Lynn was handled by a patchwork of community organizations, making it difficult to work toward a cohesive vision on housing.
Strategies to Support Small Business Diversity and Equity
Part Three – Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards and Summit
In recent years, MassINC has become increasingly concerned that our civic leaders do not reflect our growing diversity. This has significant ramifications for public policy, and our ability to heal the economic divide that has only deepened since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Strategies to Increase Diversity and Equity in Education
Part Two – Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards and Summit
In recent years, MassINC has become increasingly concerned that our civic leaders do not reflect our growing diversity. This has significant ramifications for public policy, and our ability to heal the economic divide that has only deepened since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The Future of the Massachusetts Workplace
Decentralizing Massachusetts’ workforce could address the state’s transportation struggles and geographic inequities, magnified by the pandemic.
Building generational wealth in the Gateway Cities
Gateways Episode 68
Home ownership is one of the two main paths toward building wealth— the other is business ownership. It’s crucial that Gateway City residents have access to opportunities to own homes and become entrepreneurs if they choose.
Strategies to Increase Diversity and Equity in Civic Leadership
Part One – Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards and Summit
In recent years, MassINC has become increasingly concerned that our civic leaders do not reflect our growing diversity. This has significant ramifications for public policy, and our ability to heal the economic divide that has only deepened since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Pre-Covid Homebuying Trends May Widen Racial Wealth Gaps in Massachusetts
A new report from MassINC’s Gateway Cities Innovation Institute finds a concerning pattern in Black and Latino homebuying trends that could exacerbate the racial wealth gap.
For Immediate Release Monday, September 28, 2020 Press Contact: Meridith St. Jean Phone: 802-881-1138 Email: mstjean@massinc.org Pre-Covid Homebuying Trends May Widen Racial Wealth Gaps in Massachusetts Boston – A new report from MassINC’s Gateway Cities Innovation Institute finds a concerning pattern in Black and Latino homebuying trends that could exacerbate the racial wealth gap. Priced
Adam Gomez on his historic victory in Springfield
Gateways Podcast Episode 67
Springfield City Councilor Adam Gomez talks his victory over an incumbent state senator despite turnout imbalances that skew the electorate.
MassINC Statement on Passing of Chief Justice Gants
The passing of Chief Justice Ralph Gants is a terrible loss at a time when the Commonwealth hungers for leadership in the long struggle to achieve greater equality. Justice Gants fearlessly confronted structures that undermine the ideals of equal justice. In his first State of the Judiciary address, he took on racially-biased mandatory-minimum sentences, asking:
Did you know?
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By introducing high school students to college with structured support and allowing them to earn a substantial number of credits for free, Early Colleges position more low-income youth to move through higher education and into careers that offer good wages and a stable middle-class lifestyle.
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- MassINC is a key partner to the Boston Foundation, and all of us who are seeking to advance the regional conversation around economic opportunity and a strong quality of life for all. MassINC's robust, nonpartisan research is exactly what our citizens and leaders need to make good decisions.
Paul Grogan, President of The Boston Foundation
- I watch my inbox for CommonWealth magazine’s Daily Download. I can count on the newsletter to tell me succinctly what’s happening in politics and public policy. The magazine itself always delivers in-depth news, analysis and commentary. It's simply outstanding, quality journalism. I am happy to support unbiased reporting through my participation in Citizens Circle.
Helen Chin Schlichte
Former Public Administrator; President Emeritus, South Cove Manor at Quincy Point - MassINC's long-term dedication to Gateway Cities makes them a valuable resource to all of our communities. They are a true thought partner. They go the distance to help others appreciate our unique opportunities, needs, and perspectives.
Tim McGourthy Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau
- MassINC serves as a credible, thoughtful resource for all of us who are invested in the future of the Commonwealth. Its emphasis on careful analysis that is grounded in data, research, and polling makes an important contribution to and helps elevate the conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing the region.
Trevor Pollack, Manager of Special Projects for the Barr Foundation
- The potential of Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities is limitless. MassINC’s dedicated work in promoting these cities has been, and will continue to be, instrumental in their individual and collective success.
Jay Ash
Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development and former chair of the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute - MassINC has always provided research showing the detrimental impact of the state’s unforgiving criminal justice system on our communities. Their polling confirmed that the public understood the need for change in our system. That criminal justice reform is at the forefront of bipartisan local and national debates today is in no small measure due to MassINC’s persistent and fair commitment to the issue.
Juliette Kayyem Faculty Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Founder Kayyem Solutions LLC
- Through my partnership with MassINC, the Building On What Works Coalition is working to unite a diverse collection of civic leaders around an urgent call to encourage the state to act on the progress that has been made ensuring all children in Massachusetts have a true chance to succeed in the state’s economy. MassINC’s research and commitment to data driven public policy are helping to give the children of Massachusetts a better education.
Kim Driscoll Mayor of Salem
- MassINC's work with the Gateway Cities is unmatched. As Eastern Bank strives to help businesses in these communities thrive, MassINC has been a tremendous partner, providing data-driven research and affirming that these cities are full of opportunities.
Bob Rivers Chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank
- When MassINC speaks, it’s well worth listening. After all, the nonpartisan think tank has established itself as a thoughtful, careful, credible voice on public policy in Massachusetts.
Scot Lehigh Boston Globe Op-Ed Columnist
- Few organizations in the country have better understood the important role of governance reform and accountability in education policy and economic development than MassINC.
Bruce Katz Former Vice President and Founding Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at The Brookings Institution
- [MassINC's] understanding of the complexity of the challenges facing the state’s older cities, its belief in the opportunities that present themselves in those communities, and its advocacy of the role that public higher education can and should play in them, has added to the understanding that policy makers need to have as they move our state toward the future.
Jean MacCormack
Why support massinc?
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We enjoy what we do.
Whether it’s planning events, conducting research, or analyzing the news, our team works on projects that we’re passionate about. -
We develop leaders.
Former MassINC employees have gone on to work at reputable organizations like Harvard University, Boston University, City Year, EnerNOC, and Governor Baker’s office. -
We stick with it.
Our work on transformative development, which uses public and private funding for projects to revitalize an entire downtown or urban neighborhood, began as Policy Center research report in 2013. A year later, the state legislature passed a bill funding transformative development projects across Massachusetts. -
We are nonpartisan.
Our Board of Directors includes prominent Massachusetts Democrats and Republicans. We are interested people’s ideas, not which side of the aisle they sit on. -
We have a complete toolbox.
We aren’t just a think tank. We bring nonpartisan research, civic engagement, journalism, and independent polling together under one roof. -
We have state-wide reach.
We know that Beacon Hill isn’t the only place to make progress. We’re on the ground in cities across the state working with local leaders. -
We have unique networks.
We use our connections to bring together a cross-section of diverse leaders to solve problems. Our networks include mayors, economic development directors, superintendents, business people, newspaper editors, arts leaders, and regional transit officials.
