ABOUT 250 MORE

Our unique value

We are former federal oversight professionals who know how oversight works, why it matters to all Americans, and how it can be improved. We connect people across sectors to develop practical, nonpartisan solutions so government serves the American people.

Practitioners

Careers spent fighting fraud, waste, and abuse from inside the federal government.

Connectors

Building bridges among oversight professionals, NGOs, and the public.

Nonpartisan

More than a century of oversight experience across at least nine administrations.

Areas of expertise include:

(1) ethics, fraud preventiohn, and anti-corruption to strengthen institutional integrity; (2) financial management and data analytics; (3) interdisciplinary frameworks to integrate law, science, policy, and decision-making to build forward-thinking governance models; and (4) strategic functions including communications and risk management.

WHY OVERSIGHT MATTERS

An accountable government is the foundation everything else is built on. As America's referees, independent oversight agencies promote it.

Whether flagging violations by athletes in a stadium or public officials in a democracy, referees take the heat because they represent something bigger than the game: fairness. They make sure everyone plays by the same rules, and they build trust.

We expect rules to apply equally, regardless of status, wealth, or power. That requires enforcement mechanisms. Inspectors General and other independent overseers provide that enforcement with deliberately developed skills and experience and professional standards that ensure consistent application of rules.

When America's referees are sidelined, different rules apply to different people, and taxpayers, consumers, and businesses pay the price. Supporting independent oversight protects a fair playing field for everyone.

Read "Independent oversight agencies are America's referees" ↗

What your support makes possible

Nonpartisan analysis of the state of oversight and why it matters, including tracking Inspector General vacancies and nominations and a weekly roundup of Oversight Matters

A free hub of curated resources for the oversight community, whistleblowers, public servants, researchers, journalists, Congress, and the public

Thought leadership through convenings such as Summit 250 and Independence in Executive Branch Agencies that connect people who care about public accountability and its future

A living library of former civil servants applying their knowledge and experience to long-standing structural problems to help build a thriving America

Support our work

Practitioners

Founded by former federal oversight professionals who spent their careers fighting fraud, waste, and abuse from inside the federal government, we know how oversight works and how it can be improved. We use our proven ability to identify systemic problems and root causes to develop practical, nonpartisan solutions.

Meet our founders, board members, and advisors →

Areas of expertise

Ethics, fraud prevention, and anti-corruption to strengthen institutional integrity
Financial management and data analytics
Interdisciplinary frameworks that integrate law, science, policy, and decision-making to build forward-thinking governance models
Strategic functions, including communications and risk management

Connectors

By forming networks and partnerships with current and former oversight professionals, academics, state government actors, good-government NGOs, the private sector, and members of the public, we are building the bridges needed to reach a better future.

We unite these groups around a common goal: combating corruption and other systemic problems so government serves the American people effectively.

FEATURED REPORT

Summit 250: Building a Trustworthy and Accountable Government

Partnering with the Society of Policy Scientists, we brought together practitioners, academics, oversight leaders, civil society organizations, students, and civil servants. Participants emphasized the importance of rebuilding community trust, empowering independent oversight institutions, and ensuring that government actions reflect the common good rather than special interests.

Read the Summit 250 report (PDF) ↗

Nonpartisan truth-tellers

Accountability is not a partisan cause.

Collectively, we bring more than a century of experience ensuring fiscal stewardship and conducting strong, nonpartisan oversight under at least nine presidential administrations, serving all members of Congress, and holding government accountable for the benefit of all Americans.

9+ presidential administrations served
More than a century of oversight experience

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The problem and opportunity

As America celebrates its 250th year, the promise of a free and self-governing society needs tending. The institutions, norms, and civic commitments that uphold democracy are showing signs of wear—strained by decades of polarization, disinformation, and declining public trust.

This strain inhibits our ability to be fiscally responsible, deliver public services to the American people, use technology ethically, address global conflicts, and face other complex challenges now and in the future.

America's 250th anniversary provides the opportunity to reconnect with our defining values. This moment calls for renewal—not only of our institutions, but of our shared commitment to freedom, self-government, civic trust, and collective purpose.