In 1953, Frank Chodorov founded ISI as the Intercollegiate Society of Individualists, with a young Yale University graduate William F. Buckley Jr. as president.

[12] ISI lists its core beliefs as limited government, individual liberty, personal responsibility, the rule of law, free-market economics, and traditional Judeo-Christian values.

[3] ISI is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025,[13] a collection of conservative and right-wing policy proposals from the Heritage Foundation to reshape the United States federal government and consolidate executive power should the Republican nominee win the 2024 presidential election.

[15][independent source needed] It hosts conferences and other events featuring conservative speakers and academics, and provides funding for students to attend.

[24][25] In the summer of 2005, ISI Books published It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good by Pennsylvania Republican Senator Rick Santorum.