Michigan Future

What Michigan Future does

Michigan Future, Inc. is a nonpartisan, nonprofit policy research think tank founded in 2004 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The organization produces economic research, policy analysis, and advocacy aimed at improving Michigan's standing in a knowledge-driven economy, with a specific thesis that rising college attainment and knowledge-based industry growth — not traditional manufacturing job creation — are the primary drivers of household income and shared prosperity. Its core product surface consists of published reports (including the flagship co-authored report with the University of Michigan's Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics), a regularly updated blog, a newsletter subscription, and the Michigan Future Schools accelerator initiative focused on K-12 talent pipeline reform.

The organization serves Michigan state policymakers, business leaders, civic institutions, education stakeholders, and the broader Michigan public, distributing all research and policy recommendations freely through its website, earned media partnerships (Michigan Radio's Stateside program, Bridge Magazine, Crain's Detroit Business), and speaking engagements at venues such as the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference. It does not sell products or services; the business model is philanthropic, with operations funded by Michigan-based foundations.

The leadership team consists of co-founder and President Lou Glazer, Vice Presidents Dr. Sheryl Kennedy, Patrick Cooney, and Donna Lasinski (the latter two being former state representatives and University of Michigan policy staff respectively), with governance provided by a board of directors chaired by Kirk Profit as of June 2026. The organization operates with 1-10 employees and a single Michigan-based office, with no subsidiaries, no disclosed financial data, and no parent organization.

Name

Michigan Future

Legal name

Michigan Future, Inc.

Website

https://michiganfuture.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Michigan Future is a nonpartisan, nonprofit state economic policy think tank founded in 2004 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It produces free research, reports, and advocacy focused on improving Michigan's economic standing through knowledge-based industries, college attainment, and household-income policy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Policy Research

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

Keywords

• Economic policy research
• State policy advocacy
• Nonprofit think tank
• Knowledge economy research
• Workforce development policy

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Foundation funding: Michigan Future's work is funded by Michigan foundations. The organization operates as a nonprofit think tank supported by philanthropic contributions from Michigan-based foundations.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Michigan Future is a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank that produces data-driven economic policy research and advocacy focused on Michigan's transition to a knowledge-based economy. It publishes research reports, blog analysis, and runs the Michigan Future Schools accelerator program, while engaging state policymakers, business leaders, and education stakeholders through public events, media appearances, and a newsletter. The organization does not sell products or services; its deliverables are freely distributed to influence policy.

Product overview

Michigan Future is a non-partisan, non-profit think tank operating as a single integrated platform focused on policy research and advocacy. The organization produces economic research reports and analysis, maintains a blog for ongoing commentary, runs the Michigan Future Schools accelerator initiative, and distributes content through email newsletters. The core offering is policy intelligence and recommendations aimed at improving Michigan's economic prosperity through knowledge-based economic strategies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reports and Publications Policy research reports produced by Michigan Future that analyze Michigan's economic standing and provide data-driven recommendations for state policy. Includes flagship reports such as 'A New Path to Prosperity? Manufacturing and Knowledge-Based Industries As Drivers of Economic Growth' (co-authored with the University of Michigan), 'Regional Collaboration Matters', and the 'New Agenda for A New Michigan' series. Target audience includes state policymakers, business leaders, and education stakeholders.
• Michigan Future Schools (Accelerator Program) Education reform and talent preparation initiative operated by Michigan Future as part of its strategy for Michigan's economic prosperity in a knowledge-driven economy. Focuses on redesigning education systems to increase bachelor's degree attainment rates, addressing Michigan's 34th-place ranking in college attainment. Target audience includes K-12 systems, higher education institutions, and education policymakers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Michigan's per capita income 13% below national average in 2022, lowest ever recorded
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Future collaborated with the University of Michigan's Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics to produce the influential report 'A New Path to Prosperity? Manufacturing and Knowledge-Based Industries As Drivers of Economic Growth.' The second edition was released in January 2024, with University of Michigan economist Donald Grimes as co-author. This partnership represents the organization's core research collaboration.
• University of Michigan Poverty SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Future VP Patrick Cooney previously served as assistant director of policy impact at Poverty Solutions, overseeing the Partnership on Economic Mobility between the University of Michigan and the City of Detroit.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution: Large national think tank producing economic and education policy research, including state-level work. Overlaps with Michigan Future on policy frameworks for knowledge economies and college attainment, but at a much larger scale and broader scope.
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: National policy research organization focused on fiscal policy and programs affecting low- and moderate-income households. Comparable to Michigan Future in its Working Parents Tax Credit advocacy and data-driven state policy work, though at national scale.
• Pew Charitable Trusts: National nonprofit that produces data-driven research on state economic trends, including education and workforce. Comparable in research methodology and policy stance, but operates across many states rather than focusing on Michigan.

Direct peers

• Public Policy Associates: Michigan-based public policy research and evaluation firm that works with state agencies, foundations, and nonprofits on policy analysis. Comparable as a Michigan-anchored policy research provider, though more contract-driven than advocacy-driven.
• Michigan Poverty Solutions (University of Michigan): University of Michigan-based policy research initiative on poverty and economic mobility. Directly comparable research mission; Michigan Future VP Patrick Cooney previously led the Partnership on Economic Mobility there, indicating close ecosystem ties.
• Michigan League for Public Policy: Michigan-based nonprofit research and advocacy organization focused on economic security, education, and racial equity. Closely comparable in funding model, mission orientation, and policymaker audience to Michigan Future.
• Citizens Research Council of Michigan: Michigan-based nonpartisan policy research organization that produces fiscal and economic analysis for state policymakers. Directly comparable to Michigan Future as a Michigan-focused, foundation-funded think tank serving legislators and civic leaders.

Emerging players

• Michigan Municipal League: Michigan-based association offering policy analysis and advocacy for cities and villages. Adjacent to Michigan Future's work on regional economic prosperity and talent attraction, though focused on municipal governance rather than macro policy.
• Council of Michigan Foundations: Membership association representing Michigan's philanthropic foundations. Overlaps with Michigan Future as a Michigan philanthropy ecosystem player and potential partner/funder, though it is a membership body rather than a research shop.

Regional players

• Detroit Regional Chamber: Regional chamber that runs the Mackinac Policy Conference where Michigan Future presents. Comparable in addressing Michigan's economic competitiveness, though it is a business-membership organization rather than a research nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MichiganFuture
• Facebookfacebook.com/MichiganFuture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michigan-future-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Michigan Future