Founded on September 10, 1977, the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to strengthening public policy through nonpartisan research, education, and community engagement.

For 40 years, the Center has provided nonpartisan research, evaluation, and analysis on the most important public policy issues facing our state, serving as a think tank, watchdog, and futurist. In October 2016, the Center affiliated with EducationNC, an innovative new media nonprofit. Combining the best new media practices with the depth of think-tank research, the work provided North Carolinians with a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our great state.

On March 1, 2021, the Board of Directors voted to wind down Center operations, ending the relationship with EducationNC. A new Board of Directors was elected to determine the future of the Center.