The Economic Progress Institute

What The Economic Progress Institute does

The Economic Progress Institute (EPI) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and policy advocacy organization founded in 1999 and headquartered at 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island. EPI produces research, policy analysis, and coalition-led advocacy on Rhode Island fiscal, tax, healthcare, child welfare, and economic equity issues, targeting low- and modest-income Rhode Islanders, community advocates, and state policymakers. Its core outputs are research publications (497 in total, anchored by the 25-year-old Rhode Island Standard of Need report), the Guide to Assistance resource covering 43 government assistance programs, district-level factsheets built from US Census data, and legislative testimony before the Rhode Island General Assembly. EPI leads or co-leads over ten active coalitions (including Protect Our Healthcare Coalition with 30+ organizations and Revenue for Rhode Islanders with 50+ organizations) and is plugged into national networks such as State Priorities Partnership, EARN, and Family Values @ Work.

The organization is led by Executive Director Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies (since January 2022), Director of Research & Fiscal Policy Alan Krinsky (since October 2022), and Policy Director Nina Harrison, supported by policy analysts and a State Policy Fellow. EPI's revenue model is entirely contribution-based: individual donations through the Champions For Progress program ($25–$25,000 tiers), foundation and corporate grants (including United Healthcare and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island sponsorship of the Guide to Assistance), workplace giving via Rhode Island state employee campaigns, and planned giving instruments such as bequests and charitable remainder trusts. EPI distributes all research, resources, and advocacy tools free of charge via its website and direct legislative engagement; it sells no products or services. The organization has 1–10 employees and no disclosed revenue or external investment.

Name

The Economic Progress Institute

Legal name

The Economic Progress Institute

Website

https://economicprogressri.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Economic Progress Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1999 and based in Providence, Rhode Island, that produces policy research, advocacy, and coalition leadership on fiscal, tax, healthcare, and economic equity issues affecting low- and modest-income Rhode Islanders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Advocacy

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Administration of Economic Programs (926), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Economics, Finance & Funding Policy Research (EDADADAE), Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ), Education Policy, Research & Advocacy Organizations (Nonprofit) (BPAGADAN)

Keywords

• Policy research advocacy
• Nonprofit think tank
• Fiscal policy analysis
• Economic justice research
• Community resource guides

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

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. Individual Donations: The organization accepts donations from individuals through its 'Champions For Progress' donor program, with suggested donation amounts ranging from $25 to $25,000, including monthly and annual options.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: EPI receives support from foundations and corporate sponsors. The Guide to Assistance resource is sponsored by United Healthcare and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.
3. Workplace Giving: State employees can donate to EPI through workplace giving campaigns during October-November.
4. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: EPI accepts planned gifts including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, life insurance, retirement fund assets, and stock gifts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Economic Progress Institute is a nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization that produces research reports (including the annual Rhode Island Standard of Need), policy analysis, legislative testimony, community resource guides (such as the Guide to Assistance), and district-level data factsheets. These outputs are provided free of charge to Rhode Island policymakers, community advocates, and residents to inform fiscal, economic, healthcare, and anti-poverty policy debates.

Product overview

The Economic Progress Institute is a policy research and advocacy nonprofit that does not offer a traditional software product. Its core offerings consist of research publications (notably the Rhode Island Standard of Need report published annually for 25 years), policy analysis and testimony, community resource guides (including the Guide to Assistance and 2024 Election Tool Kit), and district-level data resources. These offerings are delivered through its website as informational and advocacy tools rather than a software platform or application.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rhode Island Standard of Need Report

Quantifiable outcome

• $10 million awarded to 80,000 working Rhode Islanders through EITC expansion
• +3 more outcomes

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

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Protect Our Healthcare CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPI co-leads this coalition working to protect and expand access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Rhode Islanders. The coalition includes over 30 organizations including Mental Health Association RI, RI NOW, RIPIN, RI Health Center Association, United Way of Rhode Island, Planned Parenthood, and many others.
• Revenue for Rhode IslanderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPI leads this coalition campaign to raise revenue for Rhode Island by ensuring the top 1% of earners contribute their fair share. The revenue will fund vital programs like public education, infrastructure, and senior care. Over 50 organizations and businesses participate.
• RIght From the StartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegislative and state budget campaign to advance policies for young children and families in Rhode Island, focusing on early childhood development and support for early educators.
• RI Paid Leave CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to advance paid family leave policies in Rhode Island to enable workers to care for and bond with loved ones.
• Rhode Island Coalition for Payday Lending ReformcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition advocating to end predatory lending in Rhode Island by requiring storefront payday lenders to charge annual interest rates no higher than 36% like other small dollar loan lenders.
• Raising Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition dedicated to lifting children out of poverty by increasing RI Works benefits and providing parents with education and training opportunities for well-paying jobs.
• Rhode Island Workforce AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPI coordinates this partnership among adult education providers, workforce training providers, business, labor, and community leaders dedicated to workforce development.
• Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce PovertyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based coalition serving as a voice on systemic issues underlying poverty and advocating for sound legislation promoting economic well-being.
• Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode IslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition creating culturally sustaining educational environments where all Rhode Island students learn in multiple languages from Pre-K to college.
• Equity Impact CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of advocacy, philanthropic, faith, and community groups ensuring policies and budgets correct historic disparities and advance equity-centered policies.
• Immigrant Coalition of Rhode IslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of 33 organizations committed to ensuring fair and equal treatment of immigrant neighbors.
• LetRIVoteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject of the Rhode Island Voting Access Coalition working to advance same-day voter registration in Rhode Island.
• Raise the Bar CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to achieve safe staffing and quality resident care in Rhode Island nursing homes.
• Voices for Better HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership shaping design and implementation of care initiatives for Medicare-Medicaid enrollees in Rhode Island.
• Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonpartisan research and policy institute advancing federal and state policies to help build an economy that works for everyone. National partner providing research support.
• Institute on Taxation and Economic PolicycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit, non-partisan tax policy organization conducting rigorous analyses of tax and economic proposals with data-driven recommendations for equitable tax systems.
• Economic Policy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on the needs of low- and middle-income workers in economic policy discussions.
• Center for Responsible LendingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-partisan, nonprofit research and policy advocacy organization working to end predatory lending and close the racial wealth gap.
• Institute for Women's Policy ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonpartisan, nonprofit organization engaging in research to shape public policy and improve opportunities for women.
• National Women's Law CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization fighting for gender justice across issues central to women and girls.
• National Partnership for Women & FamiliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit working to make life better for women and families.
• State Revenue AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnites state-based community groups, policy advocates, and labor organizations to build winning coalition campaigns for revenue justice.
• EARNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide network of research, policy, and advocacy organizations fighting for an economy that works for everyone, state by state.
• Family Values @ WorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of 27 state and local coalitions working toward economic, racial and gender justice through family-friendly workplace policies. Provided funding for 2024 Election Tool Kit.
• State Priorities PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of more than 40 independent, nonprofit research and policy organizations leading the fight for a just and equitable America in the states.
• United HealthcareminorOthersCorporate sponsor for the Guide to Assistance resource, helping fund the development and maintenance of this tool for Rhode Islanders.
• Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode IslandminorOthersCorporate sponsor for the Guide to Assistance resource, supporting access to government assistance programs for low-income Rhode Islanders.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Rhode Island Foundation: State's largest community foundation and a likely funding partner for RI nonprofits including EPI. Not a peer in the research-and-advocacy sense, but the primary philanthropic intermediary shaping the RI grantmaking environment in which EPI-RI operates.

Broad incumbents

• Economic Policy Institute: National nonpartisan think tank focused on the needs of low- and middle-income workers in economic policy discussions. EPI-RI is an explicit partner and member of the EARN network; EPI national provides research support and methodological backstop to state affiliates like EPI-RI.
• State Priorities Partnership: Network of more than 40 independent, nonprofit research and policy organizations (including EPI-RI) leading state-level fiscal and economic policy advocacy. Functions as the umbrella peer network that aggregates state-level policy shops of which EPI-RI is a member.
• Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy: National nonprofit, nonpartisan tax policy organization conducting rigorous analyses of tax and economic proposals. Direct national partner of EPI-RI on tax policy work, including the 2026 RI Senate briefing, and a methodological source for tax-incidence modeling.
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: National nonpartisan research and policy institute advancing state and federal policies for low-income households. A core national partner of EPI-RI; CBPP co-presented with EPI at the April 2026 RI Senate briefing on taxing the Top 1%, making it the closest comparable national-level counterpart.

Direct peers

• Connecticut Voices for Children: State-level research and policy organization in Connecticut focused on child well-being, family economic security, and racial justice — closely paralleling EPI-RI's portfolio of issue areas at a comparable scale in another small New England state.
• Maine Center for Economic Policy: Independent nonprofit research and policy organization in Maine working on tax fairness, budget, and economic security issues for low- and moderate-income residents. Operates with a similar small-team model as EPI-RI and is a member of the EARN and State Priorities Partnership networks.
• New Jersey Policy Perspective: State-level economic policy research and advocacy organization in New Jersey focused on tax fairness, budget analysis, and racial equity. Shares the same research-plus-coalition playbook as EPI-RI at slightly larger scale in a more populous state.
• Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center: Direct state-level peer doing fiscal policy research, budget analysis, and advocacy for low- and middle-income residents in Massachusetts. Closely comparable operating model — research shop, district-level data, coalition-led campaigns — applied to a neighboring New England state.

Emerging players

• Center for Responsible Lending: Non-partisan, nonprofit research and policy advocacy organization working to end predatory lending — directly overlapping with EPI-RI's leadership of the Rhode Island Coalition for Payday Lending Reform (36% APR cap campaign).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/EconProgressRI
• Facebookfacebook.com/economicprogressri
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/economic-progress-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/epi_ri
• TikToktiktok.com/@epi.ri

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Economic Progress Institute