Fonds consists of textual records created and accumulated by various groups and organizations within the Institute of Public Affairs.. Records include articles, correspondence, minutes, memos, newspaper and magazine clippings, interviews, field notes, pamphlets and reports. Many of the documents pertain to the internal operations of the IPA.

The fonds also contains research proposals and reports related to energy, community growth, urban and rural development, labour studies, education, economic and industrial development, the medical sector and housing. There is significant work on the health, employment and economic status of African Nova Scotians.

The fonds also contains reference material kept by the IPA in its corporate library, which was used in the research and drafting of various reports.