2025 marks the Centennial of RSF, and along with the celebration we are thrilled to announce yet another significant milestone in our organization’s journey: we have renamed the foundation The Progress and Poverty Institute. This change reflects our commitment to the core principles that have guided us since our founding while embracing a name that better represents our work, mission, and aspirations for the future.
Why the Change?
The decision to change our name to The Progress and Poverty Institute is rooted in several key factors:
A Name that Speaks to Our Work: Progress and Poverty, Henry George’s seminal work, is not only the intellectual foundation of our mission but also a call to action. The book’s themes of economic justice, land value taxation, and the pursuit of a fairer society are as relevant today as they were when first published. By adopting The Progress and Poverty Institute as our name, we honor the enduring influence of Henry George’s ideas while making it clear that our mission centers on addressing the economic disparities that arise from land ownership and the distribution of wealth.
Simplicity and Accessibility: After 100 years, we recognize the importance of having a name that is easy to say, easy to remember, and that directly communicates what we stand for. While our original name has served us well, it doesn’t immediately convey the nature of our work to those unfamiliar with the legacy of Henry George or Schalkenbach’s contributions to Georgist thought. We want our name to resonate with a broader audience, from policymakers and academics to activists and community leaders, as we continue to engage in economic education and advocacy.
Reflecting Our Role as a Private Operating Foundation: As an organization incorporated as a private operating foundation we (correctly) engage primarily in work to realize our mission of sharing Henry George’s ideas with the world – namely research, education, and advocacy – while engaging in very limited grantmaking. The Progress and Poverty Institute is a name that better reflects our active role in generating ideas, fostering discussion, and leading initiatives that promote economic justice through land value taxation and other public policies designed to capture and share resource rents. And while grantmaking will remain a small part of our portfolio of activities, it will never dominate our efforts, a reality that we believe is made clearer by identifying as an “institute” than as a “foundation.”
A Legacy Rooted in Vision
Robert Schalkenbach’s vision was clear. He wanted to ensure that the transformative economic ideas of Henry George would be preserved and actively promoted in perpetuity. And in the pages of his last will and testament, Schalkenbach created the vehicle for realizing this vision, directing the creation of an organization “with the object of promoting the writings and economic ideas of Henry George, especially Progress and Poverty,” which ultimately came to be known as the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.
While Schalkenbach’s original intent remains central to our work, the realities of the 21st century demand that The Progress and Poverty Institute be more than just a continuation of our benefactor’s legacy—it is a commitment to future generations. By embracing this new name, we signal our dedication to carrying forward the torch of economic justice, ensuring that Henry George’s ideas continue to inspire and inform the pressing social and economic challenges of the 21st century and beyond.
Looking Forward: The Next 100 Years of Progress
As we enter our second century, we do so with excitement and optimism. The Progress and Poverty Institute will continue to uphold the values and principles that have always been at the heart of our work. Our focus will remain on economic education, policy research, and public advocacy to advance the cause of economic justice.
At the same time, we look forward to expanding our impact in new ways. We are exploring innovative research partnerships, engaging with emerging technologies in economics and policy analysis, and reaching new audiences through digital platforms and public outreach campaigns. The change to the Progress and Poverty Institute represents a renewal of our commitment to be a leading voice in the fight for an equitable economy—one where progress is not achieved at the cost of rising poverty, but where the benefits of economic growth are shared by all.
What to Expect
While our name is changing, our mission and the heart of our work remain the same. We will continue to honor Robert Schalkenbach’s legacy by promoting Henry George’s ideas and working toward a more just and equitable society. Our educational programs, research initiatives, and limited grantmaking activities will continue, and we look forward to deepening our relationships with scholars, policymakers, and advocates around the world.
As we move into our next 100 years, The Progress and Poverty Institute is excited to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our new name reflects both our rich history and our ambitious future. Together, we can build on the progress of the past while tackling the economic injustices that persist today—just as Henry George envisioned.
We invite you to join us on this journey as we continue to push for a world where progress and prosperity go hand in hand, and where poverty becomes a thing of the past.
Conclusion
Renaming the foundation The Progress and Poverty Institute is a momentous occasion for us. As we celebrate our centennial year, we are both proud of our past and eager to step boldly into the future. This change allows us to better communicate our mission, broaden our reach, and reaffirm our commitment to economic justice. We thank our community of supporters for their ongoing dedication to our cause. With your help, we look forward to making the next century of progress even more impactful than the last.
