OUR MISSION
The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) is a private, nonprofit, independent research organization dedicated to informed public policy making and the effective use of public resources for the improvement of government in the New Orleans metropolitan area.
Since our founding in 1932, we have monitored and analyzed government policies, structures, finances and processes to identify critical issues requiring best-practice problem solving. This video presents an overview of our history, our work, and our impact.
Our Vision
In 2024, BGR’s Board of Directors adopted a new strategic plan, with the vision that BGR will remain a trusted information resource for better government in the New Orleans area, serving citizens, policymakers, community groups and the news media.
We will achieve our vision by:
- Continuously improving our research and monitoring of public entities in pursuit of greater government performance and accountability.
- Helping public officials and voters make policy decisions that promote sound stewardship of public resources, position government to better address the region’s critical challenges, and create effective, sustainable outcomes for the whole community.
To this end, BGR raises public expectations for government to be:
OUR VALUES
BGR has always been about independence, accountability and best practices, and we have always worked on behalf of everyone in the greater New Orleans area. We are increasingly focused on making our work more accessible, championing our findings and working tirelessly toward implementation.
BGR is:
| Independent | We safeguard the integrity and credibility of our research. |
| Accurate | We deliver rigorous, objective and data-driven research. |
| Results-Focused | We develop effective solutions to complex challenges. |
| Persistent | We catalyze significant improvement in government, which requires ongoing commitment, sometimes over many years. |
| Accessible | We make our work clear and readily available to empower citizens and communities. |
| Inclusive | We believe all people have intrinsic value, bring perspective to our work, and deserve fair government policies and services. |
| Responsible | We are careful stewards to maintain BGR for the benefit of the community we serve. |
WHAT WE DO
BGR is a constructive voice on for better government in the New Orleans area.
Our program of work consists of two primary components: (1) monitoring local government and (2) public policy research and reporting. These components inform one another and sustain the cycle of our work.
Monitoring helps BGR to stay abreast of current issues, identify new issues and understand the dynamics that affect decision-making. Monitoring allows BGR to craft a highly relevant annual work plan. It also allows us to sound the bell when a government entity has strayed from the tenets of effective government.
Objective, nonpartisan public policy research is BGR’s hallmark. We uncover facts, frame issues and recommend solutions. We inform citizens, decision makers and the media about policy issues significant to the New Orleans area. Since 1932, BGR has issued more than 1,500 reports to improve government function. For decades, our work has helped lay the groundwork for government reforms. Click here to learn more about our impact.
MAINTAINING OUR INDEPENDENCE
We safeguard our independence in several ways.
- We are nonpartisan and do not endorse any candidates for public office.
- We are governed by citizens and not part of, or controlled by, any government body.
- We do not accept public money or government contracts. Our financial support comes from a mix of individuals, businesses and foundations.
- We follow a board-adopted BGR Ethics Policy Statement that requires recusal from discussions of reports and recommendations where an actual or perceived conflict of interest exists. Read the BGR Ethics Policy Statement here.
LOOKING FORWARD
Our current strategic plan has three overarching goals:
- Maintain our commitment to research excellence while expanding our reach
- Enhance our community impact for the public’s benefit
- Grow and diversify funding to sustain and expand our work.
These goals sustain core concepts from our 2018 plan relative to expanding communications, building support for our recommendations, seeking diverse perspectives, and measuring success.
NATIONAL AWARDS
BGR is a proud member of the Governmental Research Association, the national organization for governmental research professionals. The GRA began in 1914, with the realization that effective policymaking requires good information, not just good intention. The GRA is home to independent organizations providing this information — trusted, objective, non-partisan, and practical research and data to local and state leaders.
The GRA has presented BGR with more than 50 awards throughout its history. These awards have recognized BGR’s distinguished research, effective citizen education, distinguished service, research presentation and policy achievements.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
We encourage you to become a BGR member and help us continue to provide independent, high-quality research to the public and policymakers.