Question 1

When was CRI founded?

Accepted Answer

The Caesar Rodney Institute was founded in 2008 by a group of concerned Delawareans.

Question 2

Where does CRI get its funding?

Accepted Answer

CRI is funded entirely from the voluntary contributions of individuals, foundations and corporations. CRI neither solicits nor accepts government funding. CRI does not make public the names of individual donors without their prior consent.

Question 3

Who supports CRI?

Accepted Answer

Individuals who support the Caesar Rodney Institute span the political spectrum from neo-liberal to conservative, populist to libertarian and independent. What CRI supporters have in common is an interest in an accountable and efficient government.

Question 4

Are there other groups in Delaware that do what the Caesar Rodney Institute does?

Accepted Answer

No, CRI is unique. It is the only Delaware organization that covers a broad range of public policy issues and promotes solutions based on a framework of individual liberty, property rights, free markets and limited government, with a focus on Delaware state and local government. Other single issue organizations do exist in Delaware that share an overlapping philosophy.

Question 5

Are there groups similar to CRI in other states?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Cato Institute and the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC, and the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas, Texas.

Question 6

Is CRI affiliated with any political party?

Accepted Answer

No. The Caesar Rodney Institute is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan public policy research institute, commonly referred to as a "think tank." It is not affiliated with any political party, political organization, or political action committee (PAC).

Question 7

What is the smallest contribution that one can make to get Institute reports and studies?

Accepted Answer

CRI gladly accepts contributions of any size. However, a $100 minimum contribution per year is suggested if a person or organization wishes to receive every Institute publication, report, book, and study, as well as invitations to CRI events. Individuals who contribute less than $100 per year will be placed on our mailing list, but they will only receive selected publications.

Individuals can also volunteer to help with specific events. In-kind contributions are also welcome, i.e. donations in the forms of goods (computers, printers, etc.) or services (printing, editing, writing, etc.). Please email us if you have interest in volunteering or have further questions regarding this at: info@CaesarRodney.org

Question 8

Is a free-market institute necessarily conservative?

Accepted Answer

No. To paraphrase the late Joseph Overton, former executive vice president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, to call a person a conservative because they support a free-market economy and property rights is like calling someone a vegetarian because they like green beans. The same is true of institutes that support free-markets over command and control economics. There are many varieties of conservatism; one of those varieties is people who are fiscally conservative and socially liberal. They are libertarians.

CRI's philosophical roots can be traced to Henry David Thoreau, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Rose Wilder Lane, John Locke, James Madison, George Mason, Ayn Rand, and Adam Smith. Contemporary equivalents include Milton Friedman, Friedrich A. Hayek, Ludwig von Mises, Charles Murray, P.J. O'Rourke, Thomas Sowell, and Walter Williams.

Question 9

On what topic areas does CRI direct its efforts?

Accepted Answer

CRI concentrates on four main areas: education, energy, economic policy & analysis, and health policy.

Question 10

Do CRI policy analysts and staff members do public speaking?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CRI policy analysts and staff members routinely appear on radio and television programs, as guests on public forum panels and they talk before civic groups and organizations. Inquiries about speakers are welcomed.

Question 11

How does CRI get the message out? Who are the primary recipients of its publications?

Accepted Answer

The Caesar Rodney Institute distributes its studies to its database of supporters and contributors, legislators, top-level government officials, the media-electronic and print, educators and select audiences. CRI policy analysts and staff members routinely appear on radio and television programs, as guests on public forum panels and give presentation before a variety of civic groups and organizations.

Question 12

What can interns or volunteers expect from CRI?

Accepted Answer

Undying gratitude! As is the case with every organization, there exists more work than resources. CRI is truly grateful for those who give their time to help the Institute fulfill its mission. Volunteers can expect: help in obtaining university, college or high school credit for their efforts if desired; assistance with research related to public policy issues; invitations to CRI's public functions; the opportunity to write and receive credit for radio commentaries; to learn about private, voluntary solutions to public policy problems; to sharpen their event organizing skills; to occasionally do research; to help with light administrative tasks; and, assist with the editing of CRI publications.

Question 13

What does CRI expect from volunteers?

Accepted Answer

We expect volunteers to complete their tasks in a responsible, thorough, and timely manner, as well as act in a professional manner while performing them. We ask that volunteers contact the office when they are unable to work at a scheduled time. We encourage volunteers to ask questions and to make suggestions as to how things can be done better, be it the layout of a publication, the organization of an event, or the performance of a routine task. We expect volunteers to offer their honest opinions and stand behind them. Finally, we expect that volunteers will display independence and initiative.

Question 14

Teamwork at the Caesar Rodney Institute

Accepted Answer

The Caesar Rodney Institute operates on a team basis, if you see a team member fumbling, help him or her. This helps ensure that you'll be helped. If you think that there is a better way, an easier way, a more effective way to do something, speak up! Good ideas are always appreciated. Even if your idea can't be used now it may spark another idea that can be, or it will be adopted down the road.

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