THE BROADBENT INSTITUTE

What THE BROADBENT INSTITUTE does

The Broadbent Institute is a Canadian social democratic think tank founded in 2011 by former NDP leader Ed Broadbent and headquartered in Ottawa. It produces original research on climate action, decommodification, worker empowerment, rights and democracy, and science and technology policy; runs the annual Progress Summit, Canada's largest progressive politics conference; operates PressProgress, an award-winning investigative journalism outlet staffed by seven full-time unionized journalists; and publishes Perspectives Journal and a portfolio of podcasts. The Institute also runs the Emerging Leaders Program, a ten-month selective training initiative launched in 2023 that develops early to mid-career progressive organizers through structured curricula, mentorship, and coalition-building content.

The organization earns revenue through four-tier monthly individual memberships (Friends of Progress at $15–$100/month), foundation grants and research partnerships (notably with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Canada, Foundation for European Progressive Studies, and Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung), organizational sponsorships for the Emerging Leaders Program at $5,400 full or $2,000 partial, and event-related sponsorships for the Progress Summit and Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture. Its go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on convening, content publication, and movement-building rather than commercial product sales, with distribution across newsletters, podcasts, social platforms, and in-person events. Two core operating subsidiaries (PressProgress and Perspectives Journal) anchor the journalism and intellectual publishing functions.

The Institute operates within a transnational progressive network that includes the Panamerican Congress, European progressive foundations, and the Harbinger Media Network. Following Ed Broadbent's death in January 2024, the organization continues under Executive Director Jen Hassum, with the board chaired by Brian Topp. The organization faces material legal exposure through a multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit against PressProgress scheduled for trial in 2026.

Name

THE BROADBENT INSTITUTE

Legal name

Broadbent Institute

Website

https://broadbentinstitute.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Broadbent Institute is a Canadian social democratic think tank founded in 2011 that produces research, investigative journalism (PressProgress), leadership training (Emerging Leaders Program), the annual Progress Summit, and Perspectives Journal for progressive policymakers, activists, and labour organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Social Democratic Advocacy

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Newspaper Publishers (513110)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA), Investigative & Nonprofit News Organizations (MPAJADAF), Scholarly Society & Association Publishing (EDAGAFAK)

Keywords

• Social democratic think tank
• Policy research publications
• Investigative journalism outlet
• Leadership training program
• Progressive advocacy convening

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership/Donations: The organization generates revenue through monthly membership donations via the 'Friends of Progress' program with tiered levels (Ally $15/month, Voice $30/month, Champion $50/month, Partner $100/month). One-time donations are also accepted.
2. Sponsorships and Organizational Sponsorships: The Emerging Leaders Program accepts full ($5,400) or partial ($2,000) organizational sponsorships. Corporate and organizational sponsorships are sought for events like the Progress Summit.
3. Foundation Grants and Partnerships: Research projects are funded through partnerships with foundations such as Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Canada. The organization collaborates on joint research initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Broadbent Institute produces original policy research, publishes Perspectives Journal, runs the PressProgress investigative journalism outlet, delivers the Emerging Leaders Program for leadership training, and convenes the annual Progress Summit. Operating as Canada's preeminent social democratic think tank, it also administers three annual awards and multiple podcast series to advance progressive movements for democracy and equality.

Product overview

The Broadbent Institute is Canada's preeminent social democratic think tank offering a portfolio of products and programs. The core offerings include PressProgress (investigative journalism), Perspectives Journal (political economy publication), the Emerging Leaders Program (leadership training), the Progress Summit (annual conference), three annual awards (Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize, Jack Layton Progress Prize, and Charles Taylor Prize), multiple podcast series, the Ed Broadbent Digital Archive Project, and training workshops. These products work together to advance social democracy through research, convening progressive dialogues, and training leaders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PressProgress: An award-winning, independent news outlet for investigative and explanatory journalism
• Perspectives Journal
• Emerging Leaders Program
• Progress Summit
• Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize & Lecture
• Jack Layton Progress Prize
• Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research
• Friends of Progress
• Ed Broadbent Digital Archive Project

Products and services

• PressProgress An award-winning, independent investigative and explanatory journalism outlet operating as the news division of the Broadbent Institute, covering big business and labour, healthcare, social inequality, right-wing politics, and threats to democracy. Employs seven full-time unionized journalists pursuing stories across Canada.
• Perspectives Journal A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy published by the Broadbent Institute as a publication, podcast, and video series featuring analysis, strategy, and intellectual exchange for progressive change.
• Emerging Leaders Program A ten-month training program launched in 2023 for early to mid-career progressive organizers and leaders, covering campaign strategy, media engagement, coalition-building, and government relations, providing mentorship and networks to support advancement into Director-level responsibilities.
• Progress Summit Canada's largest annual convening of progressive activists, leaders, and thinkers, held in Ottawa and offering analysis, solution-building, and leadership training with rotating annual themes.
• Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize & Lecture An annual $10,000 award recognizing outstanding contributions in political theory, social or economic history, human rights, or sociology, accompanied by a public lecture delivered at Toronto Metropolitan University.
• Jack Layton Progress Prize Annual award announced at the Progress Summit recognizing progressive achievements and celebrating progressive movements and social democratic accomplishments.
• Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research Annual prize recognizing excellence in policy research, awarded at the Progress Summit.
• Perspectives Journal Podcast Companion podcast series to Perspectives Journal featuring interviews with policy experts on progressive angles of issues affecting working-class Canadians; distributed via Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube.
• PressProgress Sources Podcast Award-winning podcast from PressProgress that digs deeper into important and often unreported issues through conversations with experts and newsmakers.
• Ed Broadbent Digital Archive Project A digitization effort to preserve and provide public access to Ed Broadbent's intellectual and political work, creating an educational resource for researchers, educators, and policymakers.
• Training Workshops and Facilitation Library of workshops, facilitation guides, and training seminars covering storytelling, peer-to-peer organizing, strategic planning, and communication skills for progressive organizations.
• Research & Publications Original research publications covering climate action, decommodification, worker empowerment, rights and democracy, and science and technology policy. Includes the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung co-published report 'Defending Jobs in a Trade War'.

Quantifiable outcome

• Progress Summit is Canada's largest annual progressive politics conference
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rumbo ColectivocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Co-organizer of the 'Democratic AI & Digital Sovereignty' workshop and public event. Rumbo Colectivo is a left-wing Chilean think tank working to improve public policy and democracy in Chile.
• Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Joint research partnership producing the report 'Defending Jobs in a Trade War: Canadian Perspectives on Work, Security, and Economic Trust' conducted by Viewpoints Research. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is Germany's oldest political foundation with a social democracy mandate dating back to 1925.
• Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung – New York OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor of the annual Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture. The 2026 lecture by Bhaskar Sunkara was sponsored by RLS-NYC at Toronto Metropolitan University.
• Green Economy NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for the 'Class & Climate: Perspectives on a Green Economy' podcast series. GEN brings together labour, environmental, faith, and social justice organizations.
• Harbinger Media NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Perspectives Journal Podcast is a proud member of Canada's progressive podcast community.
• Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-published 'One Hundred Years of Progressive Influence: Social Democracy in Canada' as part of the Next Left Country Case Study series. Clement Nocos and Dave McGrane presented the book at the 2026 Progress Summit.
• National NewsMedia CouncilminorOthers · 1 January 2025PressProgress is a member of the National NewsMedia Council, which sets standards for news media ethics and handles complaints.
• Panamerican CongresscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Broadbent Institute participates in preparatory workshops for the Panamerican Congress, which unites over 60 progressive legislators from North, Central, and South America. The 2026 Congress will be in Montevideo, Uruguay.
• Toronto Metropolitan University, Faculty of ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Host of the annual Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture since 2023. Dean Amy Peng acknowledged the sold-out 2026 event.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA): Canada's other major progressive think tank, producing research on economic and social policy from a left perspective. Most directly comparable organization in scope, mandate, and target audience in the Canadian market.
• Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS): Brussels-based progressive think tank network co-publishing with Broadbent on 'One Hundred Years of Progressive Influence.' Closely comparable in policy research, publication, and international convening role within social democratic ecosystems.
• Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP): Leading Canadian public policy research institute based in Montreal, producing independent research on governance and policy. Comparable as a major Canadian policy think tank, though less ideologically aligned than Broadbent.
• Public Policy Forum: Canadian policy organization dedicated to improving government through dialogue and research. Comparable in convening role and policy research output, though more centrist in orientation.
• Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung: Germany's oldest political foundation affiliated with social democracy (dating to 1925) and an active Broadbent partner. Operates as a parallel social democratic think tank internationally with comparable research, training, and convening functions.
• Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung: German progressive foundation affiliated with the Left party, sponsoring the Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture. Directly comparable as a left-leaning foundation doing international research, training, and event programming.

Emerging players

• Demos: US-based progressive think tank focused on economic democracy, racial equity, and political reform. Comparable as a mission-driven policy and research organization targeting progressive movement audiences.
• The Tyee: Independent Canadian online news outlet with progressive editorial perspective. Comparable to PressProgress as an independent, mission-driven journalism outlet covering BC and national progressive issues.
• Canada's National Observer: Independent, mission-driven investigative journalism outlet covering climate, energy, and democracy. Comparable to PressProgress as a nonprofit investigative news organization in Canada serving progressive audiences.

Regional players

• Centre for American Progress: Major US progressive think tank producing policy research and convening across the progressive movement. Highly comparable in integrated research, journalism, and convening model, though US-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Broadbent
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BroadbentInstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/broadbentinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-broadbent-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/broadbentinstitute
• TikToktiktok.com/@broadbent.institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 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 THE BROADBENT INSTITUTE