INVEST. LEAD. RESEARCH
The IMA Foundation exists to strengthen the structural conditions that determine whether Illinois grows, competes, and leads. Your investment supports independent, non-partisan research that informs long-term strategy.
Investing in the Foundation can help ensure continued economic success for the state and the businesses that help it thrive. The IMA Foundation offers structured leadership investment opportunities for corporate and institutional partners.
THE 2040 OUTLOOK FOCUSES ON:
The IMA Foundation is governed by a board of CEO and C-suite leaders committed to advancing Illinois’ long-term competitiveness. This is not an operational board, it is a strategic leadership body. Corporate partnership signals serious commitment to strengthening Illinois’ economic position.
The IMA Foundation welcomes researchers, economists, policy analysts, and academic institutions interested in contributing to research that strengthens Illinois’ long-term economic competitiveness.
Researchers selected to collaborate with the Foundation will have the opportunity to contribute independent analysis that informs business leaders, policymakers, and economic development stakeholders across the state.
– FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS –
For answers to common questions regarding IMA Foundation governance, independence, research methodology, and board structure, please see our FAQs below.
The IMA Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan economic research organization based in Illinois focused on the structural conditions that shape manufacturing competitiveness and long-term statewide economic growth.
No. The Foundation does not lobby, endorse candidates, or engage in partisan political activity. It conducts independent research designed to strengthen Illinois’ long-term economic competitiveness.
Illinois faces long-term structural economic challenges that cannot be solved issue-by-issue. The state needs credible, business-informed, non-partisan research that provides clarity and measurable competitiveness strategy.
Statewide competitiveness frameworks, structural economic research, action-oriented policy analysis, industry-informed economic benchmarks, and strategic convenings aligned around measurable priorities.
Investment supports credible research that strengthens Illinois’ structural competitiveness — protecting long-term capital, workforce stability, infrastructure readiness, and policy predictability.
DCEO executes programs; Illinois EDC focuses on business attraction. The Foundation evaluates the structural conditions that determine whether those efforts succeed.
The IMA protects and advances policy priorities. The Foundation produces independent, data-driven research that informs long-term competitiveness strategy. They are complementary, not duplicative.
Corporate leaders, policymakers, economic development partners, education leaders, and institutional investors. Its research strengthens decision-making across Illinois’ economic leadership landscape.
Commission third-party economic research, develop structural competitiveness frameworks, conduct benchmarking, convene cross-sector leadership, and build research infrastructure over time.
Board members serve as strategic advisors: identifying research focus areas, guiding strategic direction, providing executive-level perspective, supporting capital alignment, and serving as ambassadors.
