Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

What Institute for Social Policy and Understanding does

The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with a second office in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to produce objective, evidence-based research about American Muslims and to translate that research into tools for policymakers, journalists, educators, faith leaders, community leaders, and the general public. The organization operates as a community-led go-to-market, disseminating research through its website (ispu.org), publications library, newsletter, podcast, YouTube, social media, in-person and digital education events, traveling workshops, and partner-organization distribution channels including faith institutions and civic engagement groups.

ISPU's core products are research artifacts rather than software. The flagship is the American Muslim Poll, an annual comprehensive survey of American Muslims conducted in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago; the 2025 edition was fielded April 2 to May 8, 2025. The second anchor is the US Mosque Survey, a decadal statistical study of U.S. mosques conducted with Faith Communities Today and Hartford Seminary (previous waves in 2000, 2010, 2020). Supporting products include the Reimagining Muslim Spaces (RMS) multi-year study on mosque inclusivity, the Data Digest written series, Online Courses, Podcast, Toolkits (including ISPU|Yaqeen Talk Toolkits for faith leaders), the Winning Muslim Votes swing-state research, and the Religious Groups' Views on Ceasefire Poll. Underlying capabilities center on survey design, field methodology via NORC, longitudinal data ownership, and content production.

ISPU's business model is a nonprofit donations-and-grants model. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The two documented revenue streams are (1) foundation and grant funding from a diversified set of institutional partners — including W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Pillars Fund, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Democracy Fund, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Proteus Fund, American Muslim Fund, WF Fund, and Indiana University's Lilly School of Philanthropy — and (2) individual donations solicited through the website. All research, reports, and educational materials are provided free of charge; the organization has no paid pricing tiers. The organization carries Charity Navigator recognition and Candid Platinum Transparency 2026.

Name

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Legal name

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Website

https://ispu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISPU is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute founded in 2002 that produces objective, evidence-based research and education about American Muslims, serving policymakers, journalists, educators, faith leaders, community leaders, and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research Services

NAICS

Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Conference Proceedings & Research Reports Publishing (EDAGAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC)

Keywords

• Policy research services
• Social science research
• Public opinion polling
• Nonprofit research institute
• Muslim community research

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundations and Grant Funding: Support from institutional foundations including W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Pillars Fund, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Democracy Fund, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Proteus Fund, and others. These partners fund specific research projects and ongoing operations.
2. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to support free and accessible research. The organization states it is a nonprofit that relies on generosity of individual donors to keep research free and accessible to everyone.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ISPU produces and disseminates objective, evidence-based research and education about American Muslims to support well-informed dialogue and decision-making. Its core products include the annual American Muslim Poll (conducted with NORC at the University of Chicago), the decadal US Mosque Survey, and practitioner-focused Toolkits for journalists, policymakers, educators, faith leaders, and community leaders. Research is published on its website, presented at events and convenings, and amplified through a podcast, YouTube channel, online courses, Data Digest posts, and direct community workshops.

Product overview

ISPU operates as a research organization offering a portfolio of research products and educational resources focused on American Muslims. The core offerings include the American Muslim Poll (annual comprehensive survey), the US Mosque Survey (decadal mosque study), and the Reimagining Muslim Spaces study. Supporting products include Toolkits for practitioners (journalists, policymakers, educators, faith leaders), the Data Digest written content series, Online Courses, Podcast, and Workshops/Trainings. The organization produces research reports, polls, and educational materials rather than a traditional software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• American Muslim Poll Annual comprehensive survey measuring attitudes, policy preferences, and experiences of American Muslims compared to other religious groups, including the Islamophobia Index. Fielded by NORC at the University of Chicago. Used by journalists, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders.
• US Mosque Survey Decadal comprehensive statistical study of mosques in the United States, conducted in collaboration with Faith Communities Today (FACT). Tracks mosque characteristics, attendance, leadership, and community involvement. Used by researchers, faith institutions, and policymakers.
• Toolkits Resource collections for different audiences including journalists, policymakers, educators, faith leaders, and community leaders. Includes Talk Toolkits developed in partnership with Yaqeen Institute covering topics like women's inclusivity, civic engagement, and Islamophobia.
• Reimagining Muslim Spaces (RMS) Multi-year study examining how mosques and community centers can better serve diverse congregants including women, youth, and converts. Includes case studies, community briefs, and an Inclusivity Workshop Toolkit.
• Data Digest Written post format translating ISPU research and reports into accessible, sharable content on pressing topics affecting American Muslim communities.
• Online Courses Educational content providing structured learning experiences for audiences interested in American Muslim communities and related topics.
• Podcast Audio content series discussing research findings and topics relevant to American Muslims and public policy.
• Winning Muslim Votes Policy priority analysis of Muslim voters in swing states (Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan), conducted in partnership with Change Research and Emgage Foundation.
• Religious Groups' Views on Ceasefire Poll 2024 Survey on religious groups' views on Gaza ceasefire, including three analysis pieces on ceasefire support, candidate preferences, and religious discrimination.
• Inclusivity Workshop Toolkit Virtual workshop materials including videos, participant surveys, and exercises to help mosques address inclusivity issues and implement Reimagining Muslim Spaces study recommendations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches millions of people annually through in-person and digital education events, exhibits, convenings, and media coverage
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Indiana University's Lilly School of PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner providing academic expertise in philanthropy research.
• NORC at the University of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner conducting the American Muslim Poll 2025, fielded between April 2 and May 8, 2025. NORC provides scientific survey methodology and execution.
• Stanford's Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for Substance Use, Addiction, and Recovery qualitative study among American Muslims.
• Change ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the Winning Muslim Votes swing state survey, providing polling methodology for research in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
• Yaqeen InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for ISPU | Yaqeen Talk Toolkits, integrating ISPU research into khutbahs (Friday sermons) and educational materials for communities nationwide.
• Center for Muslim PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary sponsor of US Mosque Survey 2020, supporting comprehensive statistical study of mosques in America.
• Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary sponsor of US Mosque Survey 2020, providing organizational support and resources for decadal mosque research.
• Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary sponsor of US Mosque Survey 2020, contributing statistical expertise for mosque research.
• Faith Communities Today (FACT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for US Mosque Survey 2020; project of Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership, headquartered at Hartford Seminary.
• Hartford SeminarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting Faith Communities Today (FACT) and collaborating on mosque survey methodology.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): Largest American Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, producing annual reports on Islamophobia, discrimination, and policy. Highly comparable as a Muslim-community-focused research and advocacy nonprofit that disseminates findings to media and policymakers.
• Zogby International: Polling firm with established expertise in surveying Muslim and Arab American populations, producing research on political attitudes and community demographics. Comparable to ISPU's polling franchise in methodology and audience overlap.
• Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research: Islamic research organization that produces educational resources and theological content (partner with ISPU on Talk Toolkits). Comparable as a research-and-education nonprofit producing accessible content about Muslim communities for faith leaders and the broader public.
• Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI): Nonpartisan research organization that conducts large-scale public opinion polling on religion and public life, including the American Values Atlas with religion-specific modules. Highly comparable to ISPU in methodology (rigorous survey research) and mission (evidence-based insights about religious communities in America).
• Emgage Foundation: Muslim American civic engagement organization that funds and conducts research on Muslim voter attitudes (co-partner with ISPU on Winning Muslim Votes). Closely comparable in producing research that informs Muslim civic and political participation.
• Arab American Institute Foundation: Research and advocacy organization focused on Arab Americans, producing demographic studies, polling, and policy analysis. Closely comparable to ISPU in serving an American minority community with rigorous research, toolkits, and policy engagement.
• Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC): American Muslim policy and advocacy organization that conducts research and produces policy recommendations on issues impacting Muslim communities. ISPU's Senior Advisor at MPAC relies on ISPU data, evidencing their close collaborative overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Pew Research Center: Larger, well-funded nonpartisan research organization that regularly publishes on American religious composition, attitudes, and demographics. Comparable in producing religion-focused survey research but with much broader scope and reach.
• Brookings Institution: Large, established public policy research organization producing evidence-based analysis on religion, immigration, and civic life. Comparable to ISPU as a policy research organization producing rigorous research and toolkits for policymakers, though with vastly broader scope and resources.

Emerging players

• Islamic Society of North America (ISNA): Largest American Muslim umbrella organization, co-sponsor of the ISPU US Mosque Survey 2020. Comparable in producing community-facing research and resources, though primarily a membership organization rather than a research publisher.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theispu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbnuFcsB0CAYL3kkdK8cL9A
• Facebookfacebook.com/theISPU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-social-policy-and-understanding
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_ispu

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute for Social Policy and Understanding