Invisible Institute

The Invisible Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located on the South Side of Chicago. It operates as an independent journalism production company with a focus on enhancing the capacity of citizens to hold public institutions accountable.

History

The Invisible Institute was founded by executive director Jamie Kalven, who initially worked in the Stateway Gardens public housing development during the final years of high-rise public housing in Chicago (1994–2007). Kalven's work involved "grassroots public works" and human rights documentation, which was characterized as "guerrilla journalism" by Studs Terkel. The organization began as a loose network of collaborators before incorporating as a nonprofit following the landmark Kalven v. Chicago decision in 2014, which made police misconduct files public in Illinois.

Mission

The Invisible Institute's mission is to promote transparency, documentation, and human rights advocacy. It achieves this through investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, curation of public information, and facilitating public conversations. The organization emphasizes citizen co-responsibility with government to maintain human rights and seek redress for constitutional violations.

Key Initiatives

• Citizens Police Data Project (CPDP): Launched in 2015, CPDP is an online database making hundreds of thousands of Chicago Police complaints accessible to the public. It provides tools for citizens to obtain official records and facilitate advocacy for police reform.

• Chicago Police Torture Archive: A human rights documentation project focused on the legacy of police violence under former Commander Jon Burge, featuring survivor profiles and legal records. This work supports ongoing efforts for accountability and reparations.

Awards and Impact

The Invisible Institute has earned significant recognition for its work, including two Pulitzer Prizes. The organization's investigative reporting has led to major reforms and exonerations, such as the overturning of more than 212 convictions linked to former CPD-sergeant Ronald Watts.

Funding

The Invisible Institute relies on donations and grants, having received substantial funding from entities like the MacArthur Foundation. It maintains editorial independence, ensuring that financial support does not influence news coverage decisions.

Classification

The organization is categorized under Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy and Civil Rights, Advocacy for Specific Groups in the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE). Donations to the Invisible Institute are tax-deductible.