Michigan League for Public Policy

What Michigan League for Public Policy does

The Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) is a Michigan-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization founded in 1912 and headquartered in Lansing. It conducts research, analysis, and advocacy on state budget, tax policy, healthcare, education, economic security, housing, immigration, criminal justice, and early childhood issues, with the central mission of advancing economic opportunity and racial equity for Michigan families and children. Its core products are the annual Kids Count in Michigan Data Book and county/district profiles — produced under its role as the Michigan partner of the national KIDS COUNT network — together with state budget analyses (People's Budget, State Budget Watchlist, annual Governor's budget "First Look"), Census fact sheets for all 83 Michigan counties and every legislative district, tax policy primers, the "School Funding 101" educational resource, and ongoing advocacy series including "The Stakes Are High." Adjacent programs include the annual Public Policy Forum and Champions for Kids Luncheon events, a statewide network of community engagement specialists operating in Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids, and coalition participation in State Priorities Partnership, Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN), Working Poor Families Project, and Think Babies Michigan.

MLPP is not a technology company and does not sell products or services; revenue is generated from individual donations (including the 1912 Circle major-donor program), foundation grants (with McGregor Fund and Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation explicitly named as supporters), and event sponsorships. Distribution is through a website (mlpp.org), EveryAction-powered email advocacy, social media (Twitter/X @MichLeague), policy testimony to Michigan state legislators, earned media coverage, coalition partnerships, and community engagement specialists embedded in Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids. The organization employs approximately 35 staff members including policy analysts with advanced degrees from institutions such as Johns Hopkins, the London School of Economics, Princeton, the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University, supported by President and CEO Monique Stanton (since 2021), Chief Operating Officer Karen Holcomb-Merrill, Chief Development Officer Kate Powers (since February 2025), a Fiscal Policy Director, a Communications Director, a Kids Count in Michigan Project Director, and a dedicated community engagement team.

Operationally, MLPP's annual cadence is anchored by the release of Kids Count data products, the Governor's state budget analysis, and demographic fact sheets, supplemented by advocacy campaigns and events. Its customer segments are best understood as three audiences: Michigan families and children (the ultimate beneficiaries of advocacy), policymakers and legislators (primary direct users of research), and partner organizations and coalitions (downstream distributors of research via network channels). Go-to-market is policy-research and community-led rather than commercial, and no pricing model exists for any "product."

Name

Michigan League for Public Policy

Legal name

Michigan League for Public Policy

Website

https://mlpp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Michigan League for Public Policy is a Lansing-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit founded in 1912 that conducts policy research, advocacy, and community engagement on state budget, tax, healthcare, education, and economic security issues affecting Michigan families and children. It produces the annual Kids Count in Michigan Data Book and statewide budget analyses used by state legislators and partner organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Policy Advocacy and Research

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM)

Keywords

• Policy research advocacy
• State budget analysis
• Child wellbeing data
• Economic security policy
• Nonprofit policy organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts donations from individuals through its website, with options to join the 1912 Circle (major donor program) and general donation capabilities.
2. Event Sponsorships: Revenue generated from event sponsorships including Champions for Kids Luncheon and Public Policy Forum events.
3. Foundation and Grant Funding: The organization receives support from foundations such as McGregor Fund, Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation as noted in testimonials.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Michigan League for Public Policy is a nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization that produces data-driven reports, budget analyses, and demographic fact sheets to influence Michigan state policy on issues affecting children, families, and low-income residents. Its flagship offering, Kids Count in Michigan, includes annual data books, county and district profiles, and a publicly accessible data center tracking child well-being indicators. The League complements this with state budget and tax policy analyses, community engagement programs in Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids, and recurring advocacy events such as the Public Policy Forum and Champions for Kids Luncheon.

Product overview

The Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) is a nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization that operates as a unified platform combining data programs, policy research, budget analysis, and community engagement. The core product is the Kids Count in Michigan program, which provides annual data books, county profiles, and a statewide data center tracking child well-being indicators. MLPP complements this with comprehensive state budget analysis, producing 'People's Budget' priorities and budget watchlists that analyze Governor's proposals and final budgets across education, health, human services, and economic security. Additional products include tax policy analysis, census fact sheets for all 83 counties, educational resources like School Funding 101, and advocacy campaigns including The Stakes Are High series. MLPP also convenes stakeholders through events like the annual Public Policy Forum and Champions for Kids Luncheon, supported by a statewide network of community engagement specialists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kids Count in Michigan Flagship data program that collects and analyzes data on child well-being across Michigan, producing annual data books, county profiles, and a publicly accessible data center to inform advocacy efforts and policy recommendations.
• State Budget Analysis Comprehensive analysis of Michigan's state budget proposals and final budgets, examining allocations across education, health, human services, housing, and economic security to evaluate impact on children and families.
• People's Budget Annual advocacy framework outlining MLPP's budget priorities for Michigan, calling for investments in children, families, and workers based on equity and opportunity principles.
• State Budget Watchlist Ongoing monitoring and analysis of Michigan's state budget process, tracking legislative developments and budget negotiations.
• Census Fact Sheets Annual demographic fact sheets covering all 83 Michigan counties, state legislative districts, U.S. Congressional districts, and key cities, drawing on U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey data.
• Tax Policy Analysis Analysis of Michigan's tax system including income tax, sales and excise taxes, property tax, wealth tax, and corporate tax policies and their impact on working families and racial equity.
• School Funding 101 Educational resource explaining Michigan's school funding system and its impact on educational equity across the state.
• Public Policy Forum Annual policy forum event bringing together advocates, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss Michigan's most pressing policy issues.
• Champions for Kids Luncheon Annual fundraising event recognizing champions for children and supporting MLPP's advocacy work.
• Community Engagement Program Statewide network of community engagement specialists working with organizations to connect budget and tax policies to local communities, with specialists based in Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, and statewide.

Quantifiable outcome

• The League influences the lives of thousands of children and families through its advocacy work
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• State Priorities PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLPP is a partner in the State Priorities Partnership, a network of state-level policy organizations working on fiscal policy and budget issues.
• Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLPP is a partner in EARN, a network of state-level research organizations focusing on economic policy and worker issues.
• KIDS COUNTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLPP serves as the Michigan partner for the national KIDS COUNT project, a comprehensive data resource on child well-being. MLPP produces the annual Kids Count in Michigan Data Book and maintains the Michigan data center.
• The Working Poor Families ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLPP is a partner in the Working Poor Families Project, a national initiative focusing on workforce development and economic security for low-income working families.
• Think Babies MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLPP participates in Think Babies Michigan coalition, advocating for infant and toddler priorities including child care, home visiting programs, and maternal health.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center: An independent policy analysis organization in Pennsylvania that produces research and analysis on state fiscal policy, public investments, and economic security. Direct peer given parallel state-budget-and-tax analysis focus and a member of the same State Priorities Partnership network.
• Oregon Center for Public Policy: An independent, nonpartisan policy research organization in Oregon focused on state budget, tax, and economic policy. Direct peer to MLPP given the comparable focus on fiscal policy analysis, low-income working families, and state-level advocacy, with similar organizational scale.
• Michigan's Children: A statewide Michigan child advocacy organization that has historically shared staff and overlapping policy interests with MLPP. Comparable in mission (advocating for children and families) and geography, though narrower in issue scope. Multiple MLPP staff previously worked at Michigan's Children.
• Kansas Action for Children: A statewide, nonpartisan policy and advocacy organization in Kansas focused on child well-being, economic security, and family economic opportunity. Like MLPP, it produces data-driven research, advocates at the state legislature, and works on a multi-issue agenda covering health, education, and tax policy. Most directly comparable peer given similar scope and mission.
• North Carolina Justice Center: A statewide policy research and advocacy organization in North Carolina that, like MLPP, produces budget and tax analysis, advocates for low-income families, and is part of the State Priorities Partnership and EARN networks. Closely comparable in operational model and policy areas covered.
• California Budget & Policy Center: An independent policy analysis organization in California that produces research on state budget, tax policy, and economic security. Highly comparable to MLPP's state budget analysis and tax policy work, and a fellow State Priorities Partnership and EARN member.
• Voices for Michigan's Children: A statewide Michigan-based child advocacy organization (formerly known as Michigan League for Human Services, the predecessor organization of MLPP in some respects). Direct peer given overlapping state policy focus on child well-being and family economic security in Michigan.

Broad incumbents

• CLASP (Center for Law and Social Policy): A national policy organization working on policies that affect low-income people, including child care, housing, and economic security. MLPP and CLASP frequently collaborate; comparable in policy domains but CLASP operates at the federal and multi-state level rather than a single state.
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: A national policy organization that works on federal and state budget and tax policy affecting low- and moderate-income families. It coordinates the State Priorities Partnership and EARN networks in which MLPP participates. Comparable on policy content but operates at a much larger scale and broader geographic scope.

Others

• Michigan League for Human Services (historical): The historical predecessor entity to MLPP. Listed as a peer for context on organizational continuity, but no longer operating as a separate entity. MLPP effectively carries forward the legacy of this earlier Michigan policy organization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/michleague
• Facebookfacebook.com/13652904180
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michigan-league-for-public-policy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Michigan League for Public Policy