Council on Governmental Relations

Overview

The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to representing the interests of its affiliated members, which include research universities, affiliated medical centers, and independent research institutes. Founded in May 1948, COGR is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Mission and Activities

COGR's primary mission is to communicate the viewpoints and concerns of its member institutions to federal policymakers. It focuses on fostering productive relationships between the research community and government entities, advocating for policies that promote innovation while minimizing unnecessary regulatory burdens. The organization convenes regular meetings to keep its membership informed about current issues facing research institutions.

Membership

Membership in COGR is reserved for research institutions with significant federal research funding. Eligible members must have annual federally sponsored research expenditures of at least $15 million, as reported by the National Science Foundation. Members include qualifying research universities and affiliated medical centers that are substantially engaged in graduate education and research. The costs of COGR's activities are covered by annual dues paid by its member institutions. The organization maintains its independence by not including professional associations in its membership and refusing underwriting from commercial organizations.

Legal Status

COGR is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization, which enables donations to the organization to be tax deductible. As a social science research institute, it operates for educational and related purposes.

Governance and Structure

Each member institution of COGR is represented by a primary representative who serves as a liaison between the institution and COGR. These representatives play a crucial role in determining the council's advocacy positions and can nominate individuals to serve on the COGR Board of Directors.

Financial Information

Historically, COGR's revenue is primarily derived from program services, with minimal contributions from other sources such as investment income. The organization allocates a significant portion of its expenses to executive compensation and salaries. COGR maintains a positive financial position with total assets and no liabilities reported in recent years.

External Links

Council on Governmental Relations has been recognized on various platforms for its nonprofit status and contributions to research advocacy.