Institute for Nonpartisan Innovation(INI)

Powered by Vngle-CUNY

Disinformation, news deserts, and institutional distrust are eroding the foundations of American civic life. According to the Knight Foundation and Gallup, only 26% of Americans say they have a "great deal" of trust in the news media, while Edelman's 2024 Trust Barometer shows that 59% believe journalists purposely mislead the public. INI exists to change this — by building verifiable civic infrastructure that communities, researchers, and institutions can trust.

🧭 Our Mission

The Institute for Nonpartisan Innovation (INI) is a national research and engineering think tank co-powered by Vngle and CUNY. We operate at the intersection of community storytelling, verified technology, and societal advancement to close critical civic information gaps across the U.S.

26% of Americans trust news media

59% believe they're regularly misled

With just 26% of Americans expressing strong trust in the media and 59% believing they're regularly misled (Gallup & Edelman), INI exists to rebuild trust — one verified civic insight at a time.

📐 The Three Pillars

Nonpartisan Representation

Ensuring underrepresented communities are not just seen — but heard, verified, and empowered to inform systems that serve them.

Information Provenance

Combating misinformation with verifiable, time-stamped local insights powered by Vngle's patented provenance and AI-enhanced reporting infrastructure.

Responsible Tech & Governance

Setting ethical standards for how civic data is collected, verified, governed, and shared across sectors — with a focus on public good, transparency, and safety.

🤝 The Vngle–CUNY Synergy

Vngle's national creator network and CUNY's academic research engine combine to form a one-of-a-kind civic infrastructure pipeline — where grassroots intelligence meets institutional analysis and policy action.

"INI combines Vngle's real-time grassroots intelligence with CUNY's deep research capacity to create civic innovations that are equitable, verifiable, and scalable."

— Douglas Smith, Cybercriminology Professor & Program Manager, CUNY 2X Tech @ City Tech

💬Real Stories on INI’s Impact”

💡 Engagement Paths

For Partners

Collaborate with INI on applied research, pilot deployments, or infrastructure co-design. Access early data insights and nonpartisan civic intelligence that informs public impact.

Become a Research or Funding Partner

For Community Members

Apply to become a Civic Fellow or join your city's verified creator network. Receive training, certification, and support to capture what's really happening on the ground.

Join the Network

For Supporters

Help fund the expansion of verified civic infrastructure across America. Your contribution powers technology, fellowships, and community-driven solutions.

Make a Contribution

"Your support fuels nonpartisan civic innovation that strengthens democracy — one verified insight at a time."