MassINC

The Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth, or "MassINC," is registered as a non-profit 501(c) organization that functions as a nonpartisan, evidence-based think tank. Its mission is to develop a public agenda for Massachusetts that promotes the growth and vitality of the middle class. Its governing philosophy is rooted in the ideals embodied in the American Dream: equality of opportunity, personal responsibility, and a strong commonwealth. Their mission is to promote a public agenda for the middle class and to help all citizens achieve the American dream.
Activity.
MassINC was founded in 1996 by Tripp Jones and Michael Gritton who, together with a small group of leaders from the civic, business and policy-making fields, believed that the policy process in Massachusetts was missing accurate, thorough and unbiased information and research about the challenges facing the middle class. The organization was built around the conviction that better outcomes would be achieved if policy makers and opinion leaders were armed with credible data and analysis about key issues surrounding quality of life in Massachusetts. Credible, unbiased, fact-based analysis have thus been cornerstones of the MassINC strategy and have made it an organization of record for policy analysis and civic engagement.
Criminal Justice Reform Coalition.
The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition is a group of civic leaders who believe there is an urgent need for comprehensive corrections reform. The Coalition supports law enforcement, county sheriffs, the judiciary, agency officials, and legislative leaders working to advance comprehensive change across the criminal justice system. MassINC provides staffing and organizational support for the Coalition.
In 2013, The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition released its first report, "Crime, Cost, and Consequences: Is It Time to Get Smart on Crime?" The 40-page report outlines the costs of the state's incarceration system and presents reforms to both curb those costs and improve public safety. Among the recommendations are: 
Since 2014, MassINC has collaborated with Community Resources for Justice and the Massachusetts Bar Association to host panels and forums on the matter of criminal justice reform.
MassINC Polling Group.
The MassINC Polling Group is a full-service opinion research company serving public, private, and social sector organizations. The MassINC Polling Group started in Boston with a local and state-level focus and now serves a national client base. Although it has expanded its reach, the group still conducts and releases more public opinion research on Massachusetts than any other polling organization. The president, Steve Koczela, has written extensively on public opinion and data analysis for both media and academic publications.
Gateway Cities Innovation Institute.
In October 2012, MassINC formed the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute to empower local leaders with research, data, leadership development, and technical assistance to make Gateway Cities and their residents stronger contributors to the Commonwealth’s regional economies. The institute is a think tank that envisions Massachusetts gateway cities (former manufacturing cities) driving regional economies. The Gateway City designation was created in a 2007 MassINC-Brookings Institution report to identify a group of the Massachusetts' traditional manufacturing cities that were missing out on a knowledge-driven economy. In particular, MassINC claims its work benefits Lawrence, New Bedford, Worcester, and Springfield.
The Gateway Cities Education Vision Project was the first major initiative of the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute. MassINC has been meeting with Gateway City mayors and superintendents to discuss opportunities to collaborate on education issues since early 2012. These conversations led to consensus that a facilitated process was needed to develop a clear vision for how Gateway Cities could develop cross-sector initiatives to build 21st century education systems that support student success from cradle to career. Through this partnership, the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute will ensure the Gateway Cities education agenda benefits from evidence of best practice and in-depth analysis by researchers.
"CommonWealth".
"CommonWealth" is a web-based publication that covers politics, policy, ideas, and civic life, with an emphasis on investigative reporting, in-depth analysis, and political mapping. The publication is a non-profit enterprise that is funded by corporate sponsors, philanthropists, foundations, advertisers, and supporters who thirst for more coverage of public policy. Two of the largest sponsors are the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and The Boston Foundation. "CommonWealth" is published by MassINC. "CommonWealth"' print magazine () ceased publication in 2018.