Paul Simon Public Policy Institute | SIU Foundation | SIU

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale acts on significant and controversial issues impacting the region, the state, the nation and the world. It is committed to developing and working to implement approaches that could bring concrete, positive results in tackling some of the most difficult challenges in the public policy arena.

The institute focuses its efforts on fostering:

• Ethical conduct in government.
• Opportunity and fair treatment for citizens in America and throughout the world.
• Promoting responsible citizenship for all Americans, but particularly for young Americans.

Founded in 1997 by Paul Simon, a former two-term U.S. senator from Illinois and one-time candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States, the Paul Simon Institute works directly with elected officials and others to fashion and implement change in public policy. Paul Simon spoke of his institute as a “do tank” as opposed to a “think tank,” because it seeks and achieves positive results and concrete actions based on its work.

By supporting funds established by the Simon Institute, you can have a wide-ranging impact that furthers the late Paul Simon’s vision. It is a unique opportunity to be a part of a bipartisan institute that makes a real difference in society while addressing various essential issues.