Nonpartisan research since 1983
Trusted business intelligence and research for North Carolina
Independent, nonpartisan research on the General Assembly, state policy and every legislative district, built for the leaders who run businesses here.
- 1983Nonpartisan research for business leaders for more than 40 years
- 1,400+Organizations whose leaders read NCFREE research
- 170State House and Senate districts analyzed
Trusted by North Carolina’s leading organizations
Our members and partners span the state’s major industries, from agriculture and energy to health care, banking, technology and construction.
17TH ANNUAL · NOVEMBER 19, 2026 · ANGUS BARN PAVILION
The North Carolina Leadership Luncheon
North Carolina's flagship annual gathering of business and government leadership.
Legislative Business Ratings
The Legislative Business Ratings (LBR) are the cornerstone product of NCFREE. These ratings equip business leaders, the media, and the public with a tool to assess whether a lawmaker is generally favorable towards free enterprise or not.
Does your state lawmaker support free enterprise legislation in the NC General Assembly?
Partisan District Scores
NCFREE's Partisan District Scores (PDS) show how each state legislative district would vote for a generic candidate of each party in an evenly split statewide environment.
Do you live in a Democratic, Republican or competitive state legislative district?
Our Mission
To give leaders the freedom to run their business with minimal government encroachment by empowering them with political intelligence, topical data, and situational awareness.
Our Vision
Enhancing awareness of the value of a free enterprise system, resulting in improved economic prosperity for all North Carolinians.
“NCFREE consistently delivers what matters to business leaders—clear, unbiased insights that cut through the noise of partisan politics. Their analysis helps us make informed decisions that shape our bottom line and future growth.”
- Jerry Bowen
Former Executive Vice President
Comerica Bank
“NCFREE is a vital partner in maintaining North Carolina’s reputation as a top state for business. Their insights on economic policy and commitment to free enterprise help ensure that North Carolina remains competitive and business-friendly.”
- Ted Budd
U.S. Senator
North Carolina
“By equipping business leaders with valuable data and insights, NCFREE empowers them to engage effectively with lawmakers on critical issues, ensuring that business priorities are heard and acted upon.”
- Ralph Strayhorn
Of Counsel
Smith Anderson
“The members of NCFREE will continue to play an instrumental role in shaping the state's economic future.”
- Josh Stein
Governor
North Carolina
“We have to recognize that the private sector—the free enterprise, capitalist system—is the method through which the state will prosper.”
- Phil Berger
Senate President Pro-Tem
Two-Time Free Enterprise Senator of the Year
“NCFREE is North Carolina’s best non-partisan information source on the General Assembly from the business perspective.”
- Marc Basnight (1947–2020)
Former Senate President Pro-Tem
Former Free Enterprise Senator of the Year
Join NCFREE
Join NCFREE for trusted business intelligence and research on North Carolina's political and economic environment. Members receive research, briefings, and access tailored to their organization.
Support NCFREE
Your support is essential to our mission. It allows us to provide leaders with the autonomy to manage their businesses with minimal government intrusion. Without your contribution, achieving this degree of freedom would be significantly more difficult.
NC FreeEnterprise Foundation
3700 Glenwood Ave., Suite 310
Raleigh, NC 27612
(984) 304-7855
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