Balsa Research is a tiny nonprofit research organization currently focused on quantifying the impact of the Jones Act on the American economy, and working towards viable reform proposals. While changing century-old policy is not going to be easy, we continue to see many places where there is neglected groundwork that we’re well positioned to do, and we are improving at doing it with another year of practice under our belts. We’re looking to raise $200,000 to support our work this giving season, though $50,000 would be sufficient to keep the lights on, and we think we are also well positioned to do more with more funding. Donations will support Balsa's policy advocacy, either in Jones Act and maritime policy reform or potentially in other planned cause areas (housing reform and NEPA reform) if there is capacity to significantly expand. Donate here to fund our mainline policy work. One additional possibility for Balsa, which would be funded entirely separately if it did happen, is for Zvi Mowshowitz to use Balsa as a piece of philanthropic infrastructure to help guide new philanthropic money coming online in 2026 if there is demand. Contact us ([email protected]) if you would like to be involved [...] ---Outline:

What Balsa Did in 2025

A quick glance at our budget

Balsa in 2026, and Our Ask

Complete the Jones Act policy binder

Receive and publicize findings from the two funded economic studies

Fund at least one high-quality study from the labor RFA

Continue monitoring Section 301 and SHIPS Act developments, contributing input where it seems high-leverage