Since 1932, the Bureau of Governmental Research has worked tirelessly to promote good governance and positive outcomes for the public through our research. Over the decades, BGR has won many awards for our work from the Governmental Research Association, the national group of organizations and individuals like BGR who are professionally engaged in public policy, governmental, and civic research.
Scroll through to see our accolades over the years.
2025
Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Policy Achievement
Letter – BGR Encourages City to Seek Tax-Exempt Bonds for Capital Projects
2025
Certificate of Merit for Most Effective Education
2025
Certificate of Merit for Best Short-Form Writing
Jailbreak Should Spur Sheriff and City to Tackle Jail’s Needs
2024
Certificate of Merit for Best Short-Form Writing
Strengthening New Orleans’ Use of Its General Fund Balance (Letter to Mayor and City Council)
2024
Certificate of Merit for Best Digital Communication
Property Tax Dashboards – Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Tammany Parishes
2024
Most Distinguished Research Award
2023
Most Effective Education Award (Local Government Issue)
Managing the Windfall: Tracking the City of New Orleans’ Use of Federal Pandemic Relief Funds
2023
Most Distinguished Research Award
Keys to the Jail: How New Orleans Can Sustain Jail Reforms through Better Governance
2022
Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Policy Achievement
2022
Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Research
On the Ballot 2021-22 Report Series and Analytical Framework
2021
2021
Most Distinguished Research Award (Local Government Issue)
Learning Curve: A Guide to Navigating School Funding in New Orleans’ Unified District
2021
Best COVID-19 Response Award (Local Government Issue)
Holding Public Officials Accountable for Fiscal Stewardship During the COVID-19 Pandemic
2019
Most Distinguished Research Award
The Lost Penny: An Analysis of the Orleans Parish Hotel Tax Structure
2018
Most Distinguished Research Award
Paying for Streets: Options for Funding Road Maintenance in New Orleans (May 2017)
2018
2017
Most Distinguished Research Award
Beneath the Surface: A Primer on Stormwater Fees in New Orleans (February 2017)
2016
Outstanding Policy Achievement Award
2016
Most Distinguished Research Award
The $1 Billion Question: Do the Tax Dedications in New Orleans Make Sense? (November 2015)
2014
Most Effective Education Award
2014
Outstanding Policy Achievement Award
“Reform of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans” — BGR’s research on S&WB governance reform.
2014
Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Research
2013
Outstanding Policy Achievement Award
2013
Most Distinguished Research Award
2012
Most Effective Education Award
Over the River: The Future of the Crescent City Connection Bridge and Ferries (April 2011)
2012
Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Research
The Nonprofit Margin: Addressing the Costs of the Nonprofit Exemption in New Orleans (March 2011)
2011
Outstanding Policy Achievement Award
Contracting with Confidence: Professional Services Contracting Reform in New Orleans (March 2010)
2010
Certificate of Merit for Effective Education
In All Fairness: Building a Model Assessment System in New Orleans (December 2009)
2009
Most Distinguished Research Award
2008
Most Distinguished Research Award
Mending the Urban Fabric: Blight in New Orleans (February-April 2008)
2008
Most Effective Education Award
Protecting New Orleans’ Tax Base: Which PILOTs Should Fly? (March 2007)
2007
Most Effective Education Award
Not Ready for Prime Time: An Analysis of the UNOP Citywide Plan (March 2007)
2007
Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Policy Achievement
2005
Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Research
2004
Certificate of Merit for Effective Education
Runaway Discretion: Land Use Decision Making in New Orleans (October 2003)
2004
Most Distinguished Research Award
Uneconomic Development: An Analysis of the World Trade Center Lease (March 2004)
2004
Outstanding Policy Achievement Award
2003
2002
Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Research
Privatization of Water and Wastewater Systems in New Orleans (June 2001)
2001
Certificate of Merit for Original Presentation of Research
BGR Outlook on Orleans: Privatization of Sewerage & Water Board Operations (April 2000)
2000
Most Distinguished Research Award
Property Tax Exemption and Assessment Administration in Orleans Parish (December 1999)
2000
Most Effective Citizen Education Award
1999
Certificate of Merit for Effective Citizen Education
Outlook on Jefferson Series, including Jefferson Parish Government Finances (February 1999), Jefferson Department of Public Works (November 1998) and Jefferson Parish School Board (July 1998)
1999
Most Distinguished Research Award
Contracting Professional Services by Five Parish School Boards (June 1998)
1998
Most Original Presentation Award – BGR’s Website
1998
Most Distinguished Research Award
1998
Certificate of Merit for Effective Citizen Education
Orleans Parish School Board Millage Proposals to Voters May 2 (April 1998)
1997
Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Research
Property Taxes in New Orleans: Who Pays? Who Doesn’t? And Why? (October 1996)
1995
Most Effective Citizen Education Award
The Parish of Jefferson: Government Matters (1993-1994)
1992
Most Distinguished Research Award
Study of the Judicial/Parochial Agencies in Orleans Parish (June 1991)
1988
Distinguished Service Award
In recognition of 56 years of distinguished service to the citizens of New Orleans and in appreciation of its many contributions to the professional advancement of governmental research, 1932-1988
1950
Certificate of Distinction
Administrative Organization and Relationships in the New Orleans Public School System (1950)