BUILDING A LEGACY OF LIBERTY

Why are we launching this campaign?

After the May 2025 tornado destroyed most of the third floor of our longtime headquarters at 5297 Washington Place, we made a decision: we would return to that same address and rebuild stronger. Now, as we near the end of a year of dislocation, we are preparing to walk back through those doors at full strength. We’ll be ready on day one for the rigorous research, legislative testimony, published articles, policy blueprints, and public engagement that advance liberty with individual responsibility in Missouri.

This campaign exists for exactly that moment.

Why does this campaign have two phases?

Phase one builds the strongest operational foundation possible so we can hit the ground running with our advocacy and research. Just as the revitalized headquarters gives us an ideal physical setting, your partnership in this first phase increases our day-to-day capacity for research, testimony, writing and publishing, and the full range of public engagement that defines our work.

Phase two establishes a professionally managed endowment. Its principal is preserved forever, generating reliable annual support that safeguards our independence and capacity for decades to come.

The campaign thus provides a complete philanthropic structure: strong operations today and a permanent foundation for tomorrow. When you invest, you are actively building a legacy of liberty for Missouri.

Is the Show-Me Institute independent?

Yes. We accept no government funding and do not perform contract research. Our independence allows us to follow the evidence without political or financial conflicts and advocate for policies that truly expand individual liberty and economic freedom. You can see this commitment reflected across our publications, including our Blueprint for Missouri and our annual reports at showmeinstitute.org.

Why do we need spendable funds if the headquarters will be ready?

A finished building is only the setting. The real impact happens through the people and programs inside it. Your support in this phase ensures that from the very first day we return to Washington Place, our team can work at full strength. After a year of dislocation, first phase gifts let us retain our strongest scholars and directors, maintain uninterrupted access to the data and research tools they rely on, and immediately resume and expand partnerships with leading public policy experts. These flexible dollars remove the gap between moving back in and operating at the level Missouri deserves—so the research, testimony, and public engagement that advance liberty and individual responsibility are humming along at full speed from day one.

What naming opportunities are available?

Donors to the initial phase have the opportunity to permanently name spaces inside our restored headquarters: the fellows suite, the conference room, the podcast studio, and other spaces that will be in use by our scholars and team daily. These named spaces will stand as lasting recognition of the partners who helped us quickly return to full strength in pursuit of our mission.

What purpose does the Phase Two endowment serve?

If phase one helps us regain our full strength, phase two helps protect that strength over time. An endowment creates a permanent source of support. At a conservative four percent annual rate of return, for example, a $500,000 endowed gift would generate roughly $20,000 each year in reliable funding without drawing down the principal. Steady yields will help the Institute maintain its independence and continue its work on taxes, education, government reform, and other issues so vital to Missouri’s future.

At present, Missouri has no other independent think tank focused on advancing free-market principles and individual liberty through rigorous research and practical policy proposals. An endowment helps secure that role for the long term, ensuring the Institute can continue to offer clear, evidence-based work regardless of changes in the broader environment.

Can one gift support both phases?

Yes. Many of our supporters choose to structure their gift across both phases. By giving to phase one you help lay the operational foundation today, just as the new building provides the physical foundation. By also supporting phase two you help create the permanent endowment that will serve as the bedrock for our work going forward. We will be happy to work with you on multi-year pledges or other structures that fit your timing and goals.

What are the best ways to structure a campaign gift?

With thoughtful planning, we can help you maximize both the impact of your gift and any available tax advantages it may offer. Common options include:

• Multi-Year Pledges — Spread your commitment over three to five years. This approach often allows you to secure a naming opportunity while also contributing meaningfully to the endowment.
• Appreciated Securities — Donate stocks, bonds, or mutual funds directly. You can avoid capital gains taxes while receiving a charitable deduction for the full current market value.
• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) — If you are age 70½ or older, you can make tax-free transfers from your traditional IRA directly to the Institute. These count toward your required minimum distribution.
• Planned & Legacy Gifts — Name the Show-Me Institute in your will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance policy. These gifts are a powerful way to create lasting support for our work and our independence.