The Milken Institute is an American independent, nonpartisan economic think tank based in Santa Monica, California, with offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Miami, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. It publishes research and hosts conferences that apply market-based principles and financial innovations to social issues in the United States and internationally. The institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and presents itself as non-ideological.

History

The institute was founded in 1991 by Michael Milken, a former Drexel Burnham Lambert banker who achieved financial success as a pioneer of "junk bonds," but attracted notoriety due to his subsequent felony conviction and prison sentence for U.S. securities law violations. Milken formalized his philanthropic giving by founding the institute, with a mission to “increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs, and improve health." Milken's philanthropic endeavors also include the Milken Family Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The latter was founded in 1993 after Milken's own prostate cancer diagnosis.

Research and events

The Milken Institute's work is organized around four pillars: finance, health, strategic philanthropy, and the international arm of the Institute.The institute has published studies relating to human capital, access to capital, financial structures and innovations, regional economics, healthcare economics, and medical research. It hosts a series of conferences, financial innovation labs, forums, and private events. The Milken Institute hosts several events on annual basis, including regional summits like the Asia Summit and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Summit, as well as regional investors' symposiums. The Global Investors' Symposium series of events have taken place in Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, and Mexico City. Other Milken Institute annual events are the Global Conference, the Future of Health Summit, and the Future of Finance (previously called the Finance Forum). The Milken Institute Global Conference, first held in 1998, is an annual forum focused on economic and social issues. Speakers include figures from business, finance, government, education, and sports. The institute also hosts an annual State of the State Conference, which examines major issues facing the state of California with Milken joining elected officials in the state as a host speaker.

Finance

Milken Institute Finance is a division of the Milken Institute dedicated to addressing challenges across the financial system through thought leadership, research, and data-driven insights. Its work seeks to influence private-sector practices and public-sector policies with the goal of improving fair access, efficiency, and reliability across markets and institutions.

The division operates through six portfolio areas: 10,000 Communities; Financial Innovations Labs; FinTech and Innovation; Geo-Economics, Climate Resilience, and Innovation; Inclusive Capitalism; and Lifetime Financial Security.

The Institute publishes new research regularly. A feature of the Milken Institute research is recurring indices: Best-Performing Cities US, Global Opportunity Index, and Best-Performing Cities China.

Health

Milken Institute Health is a division of the Milken Institute focused on advancing research, policy, and programs to address complex health challenges in the United States and globally. Its work spans four primary areas: biomedical innovation, public health, healthy aging, and food systems, with an emphasis on identifying promising practices and scaling evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes and resilience.

The division operates through four distinct portfolios: FasterCures, Feeding Change, Future of Aging, and Public Health. In addition to portfolio-specific work, Milken Institute Health engages in cross-cutting initiatives that address challenges requiring integrated, multi-sector approaches.

Its work is characterized by a research-driven methodology and a commitment to cross-sector collaboration, connecting policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to accelerate the development and adoption of scalable health solutions.

Strategic Philanthropy

Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy is a division of the Milken Institute that works to address persistent societal challenges by equipping individuals and foundations with the insights and tools needed to develop giving strategies, implement philanthropic programs, and foster collaboration toward a more equitable world.

The division's work is organized into three workstreams: Environmental and Social Innovation; Pathways to Strategic Philanthropy; and the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC).

International

Milken Institute International is a division of the Milken Institute focused on connecting global markets through regional convenings and research to develop locally grounded, globally informed solutions. The division extends the Institute's reach through strategic engagement across five regions: Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Tax policy

The institute has held several events regarding opportunity zones created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. In May 2018, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin instructed his staff to accept a non-low-income tract in Storey County, Nevada as an Opportunity Zone shortly after attending an Institute event in Beverly Hills with Michael Milken. Milken was already an investor in the Nevada tract. In August 2018, Mnuchin attended an Institute conference on opportunity zones in the Hamptons with Milken and later accepted a flight to Los Angeles with Milken on his private jet. Treasury later issued a regulatory guidance at the institute's request that allows prior investors to benefit from newly designated opportunity zones.

2024 Global Conference

In May 2024, the Milken Institute held its 27th Global Conference in Los Angeles, focusing on topics such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, and artificial intelligence. Notable speakers included Javier Milei, President of Argentina; Queen Rania of Jordan; former U.S. President Bill Clinton; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May. Asha Jadeja, founder of the Motwani Jadeja Foundation, was also a speaker, addressing themes related to India's economic emergence (the foundation was among the sponsors of the event).

Milken Scholars Program

The is a joint initiative between the Milken Institute and the Milken Family Foundation. The program was founded in 1989. More than 600 Milken Scholars have been selected from more than 100 high schools in Los Angeles County, New York City and Washington, DC.

Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream

In September 2025, Milken opened the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) in Washington, D.C., combining five buildings on 15th Street next to the White House. An interactive museum, MCAAD's exhibits and galleries feature artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators in health and education, among others. The museum also highlights the U.S. financial system. In 2026, MCAAD was honored as one of USA Today's 10 Best New Museums.

The center recently announced the opening of special exhibits to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

See also

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