Thanks to Cato’s Sponsors, the Institute’s work in this crisis environment is as meaningful as ever. Recent Sponsor investments in the Institute’s staff and technology have created a bulwark against calls to solve government failures with even more government. These investments have also helped reinforce our on-the-ground efforts to promote freedom and prosperity; the Cato community has created excellent access to policymakers and together we’re advancing several important policy issues, including

  • Eliminating regulatory barriers created by the Food and Drug Administration and the states to COVID-19 diagnostic test- ing, interstate telemedicine, and other innovations;
  • Reforming federal and state qualified immunity laws that create near-zero accountability for members of law en- forcement who violate civil rights; and
  • Defending free speech online—including on Facebook, where Cato Vice President John Samples is one of five Americans on its new Oversight Board.

The fight for liberty is an ongoing battle to preserve America’s grounding in the principles of individual rights, limited government, free markets, and peace. It is our aspiration and goal in the next five years to be the number-one organization bringing these ideas to new, diverse, and young audiences.

We know that laying the foundation for the coming generations is a shared priority in the Cato community; our Sponsors have stepped up to fund outreach initiatives that have galvanized major interest in the ideas of liberty, such as Project Sphere. In July we’ll hold our second Sphere Summit, an exciting project to advance civil society by partnering with educators.

Sponsors make the Institute’s strong defense of liberty possible, and a growing group have become even more involved with Cato by creating planned gifts that meet their philanthropic and financial priorities. Legacy Society Sponsors have created planned gifts—from simple charitable gift annuities, bequests, and beneficiary designations for retirement assets, to complex trusts and endowed chairs—that are now more important than ever for growing Cato’s ability to promote more free and prosperous societies.

For many Cato Sponsors a planned gift represents a unique opportunity to create a significant contribution to supporting our ideas, and Cato’s Legacy Society is the Institute’s way of recognizing this community. If you’re already a Legacy Society Sponsor— thank you! If you’re interested in joining the club, please let us know.

Legacy Society benefits are the same as those for individuals contributing at least $5,000 annually, which include special event invitations and complimentary access to Cato books, research, and commentary, such as our monthly audio magazine. Of course, by creating a planned gift and joining the Legacy Society, you will enjoy the final benefit of denying the government even more of your hard-earned money by investing in the future of liberty!