Sagamore Institute is a think tank based in Indianapolis that aims to build and implement public policy solutions based on the values and geography of America’s heartland. Founded in 2004 by former U.S. Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) and Jay Hein, Sagamore uses research, consulting, and impact investing to achieve its mission through policy innovation, business solutions, and citizen engagement. ¹

Sagamore Institute currently has nine program areas: community development, defense, education, energy and climate, health and wellness, Indiana Policy Center, international development, justice reform and minority entrepreneurship. ²

Activities

Sagamore Institute advocates for education reforms that include improving failing school systems, increasing educational choice, and updated outdated curricula. ³ Sagamore’s Scholarships for Education Choice program collects tax credit qualified donations to be used for low- and middle-income students to attend one of their partner schools. ⁴

Sagamore Institute advocates for free market health care system reforms. Its Center for Healthcare Affordability was launched in 2020 to create strategic solutions for health care reform and advocate for a quality health care system driven by innovation, transparency, and integrity. ⁵

The institute advocates for federal criminal justice reform. As states change their laws to favor diversion programs and restorative justice, Sagamore seeks to advance programs and policies to help reintegrate offenders into society. ⁶

Funding

Sagamore Institute is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. While Sagamore does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from the National Christian Charitable Foundation ($2.9 million in 2019), ⁷ Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation ($437,000 in 2019), ⁸ and the Lilly Endowment ($302,100 in 2016). ⁹

People

Jay Hein is a co-founder and the president of Sagamore Institute. Hein formerly worked as the director of the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives during the George W. Bush administration, director of Civil Society Programs at the Hudson Institute, and welfare policy advisor to former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson (R). Hein is a senior fellow at the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University. ¹⁰

Board of Trustees

Katie Mote is the chair of the board of Sagamore Institute, the vice president of partnerships at Project Lead The Way, and the vice chair of the Indiana State Board of Education. ¹¹

Dayton Molendorp is the vice chair of the board and sits on the board and executive committee of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. ¹²

Craig Westrick is the treasurer of the board and a founder and board member of the National Christian Foundation Indiana. ¹³

Claudia Cummings is the secretary of the board and the president and COO of the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Cummings formerly worked as a deputy commissioner at the Indiana Department of Administration. ¹⁴

Allison Barber formerly worked as a communications strategist at the White House and the Department of Defense. Barber sits on the board of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. ¹⁵

Chris Lowery is the past chair of the board. Lowery formerly worked as an aide to former Indiana Gov. Robert D. Orr (R) and former Sen. Dan Quayle (R-IN). ¹⁶

Earl Martin Phalen is a trustee at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. ¹⁷

Other trustees include Mike Humphrey, Sam Odle, Jerry Semler, Doug Wilson, and Jean Wojtowicz. ¹⁸

1. “Our Mission.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/about/our-mission/.
2.  “Sagamore Programs.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/program/.
3. “Education.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/program/education/.
4. “Donors.” Scholarships for Education Choice, 2018. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://scholarshipsforeducationchoice.com/donors/.
5. “Mark Jay.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/bio-mark-jay/.
6. “Justice Reform.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/program/justice-reform/.
7. National Christian Charitable Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Schedule I, Part II.
8. Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2019, Part XV, Line 3a.
9. Lilly Endowment Inc, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2016, Part XV, Line 3a.
10. “Jay F. Hein.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/bio-jay-hein/.
11. “Katie Mote.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/bio-katie-mote/.
12. “Dayton Moledorp.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/bio-dayton-molendorp/.
13. “Craig Westrick.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/bio-craig-westrick/.
14. “Cluadia Cummings.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/bio-claudia-cummings/.
15. “Allison Barber.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/allison-barber/.
16. “Chris Lowery.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/bio-chris-lowery/.
17. “Earl Martin Phalen.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/earl-phalen/.
18. “Our Team.” Sagamore Institute. Accessed May 28, 2022. https://sagamoreinstitute.org/about/our-team/.