State Policy Network is committed to restoring the necessary balance of power between Washington, DC, and the states so that through local collaboration, these policy solution centers can solve some of the biggest problems facing our country today. As a result, Americans will have the freedom to live their lives as they choose without the burden of government overreach.

To accomplish our mission, State Policy Network supports the growth of a 50-state Network through programs that: • Invest in the long-term sustainability of state leaders and organizations. • Provide training, coaching, and strategic planning so state leaders can build institutions made to last. • Connect state think tank leaders through peer networks, policy working groups, SPN’s Annual Meeting, and online resources so that they can exchange best practices and refine strategies so the best ones spread from state to state. • Defend the 50-state think tank Network by sharing best legal practices, providing critical resources when members are attacked, and fighting organized assaults on free speech and citizen privacy.

SPN’s programs are designed to create long-term partnerships with organizations and work alongside them to build strong, lasting institutions that are positioned to advance significant policy reforms that spread across the country. Leadership Development: Our leadership development program provides essential training, coaching, and targeted grants so organizations can build the necessary capabilities to achieve their goals. We invest in key areas such as fundraising, government affairs, communications, and management training. One of the best ways to learn is through the experiences of others. We offer over a dozen peer groups so that leaders from across the country can come together and learn best practices from one another and identify cross-state opportunities. Communications: We know that to make lasting change, we need more than the best policy ideas. We need to win hearts and minds with powerful stories that show the impact free-market policies have on everyday people. And luckily, there is no shortage of those in the network. Our communications amplify and celebrate the impact of the network to key audiences through strategies such as media engagement, online communities, conducting polling and messaging research, and creative storytelling. Events: SPN’s Annual Meeting is the premier gathering of freedom fighters in the country. Over 1,300 people attend from over 500 organizations and all 50 states to be inspired, connect, and sharpen strategies for the coming year. Policy Advancement: SPN working groups bring leaders together from across the country, creating an environment where they can collaborate and test strategies, fill critical needs identified by the group, and accelerate the best ideas for multistate impact. Strategic Development: SPN partners with state think tanks to help them craft their own strategic plans that focus their priorities, align their staff, and help them adapt in a rapidly changing environment. Startup/Start Over Program: SPN partners with vetted leaders in new and emerging think tanks who want to make a difference in their states. SPN helps these new organizations through strategic planning, targeted investments, connections to the Network, and key resources. SPN’s start-over program responds to organizations with new leaders that are trying to improve the trajectory of active state think tanks. LaunchPad: There is no shortage of bold ideas from think tank leaders. The challenge is getting them off of the ground at the speed in which we need them. Our newest program is designed to accelerate the launch of promising new initiatives by partnering with donors, issue experts, and successful entrepreneurs to refine the best ideas and create actionable plans to make them a reality.

We know that change doesn’t happen overnight in the public policy arena. The long-term impact of State Policy Network can often take years to unfold, as we have seen with historic policy wins for labor, criminal justice, education, and jobs throughout the country. We know we are making progress if our network is growing in size, strength, sophistication, and its ability to achieve meaningful reforms on the state level that create national impact. Every year, we aim to see more policy wins from the states and more multi-state wins that bubble up to the national stage. We aim to cultivate a wider bench of state leaders at all levels (from CEO to entry level) who go on to inspire others to fight for change. And we aim to see organizations grow in their core capabilities and fundraising each year. In total, we strive to build a network that becomes better, faster, and stronger with each passing year.

For 28 years, State Policy Network has built a national infrastructure for freedom that has made significant policy advancements to improve American lives. We have 64 think tanks in all 50 states and over 90 national associate partners. Each year, this Network brings about more opportunities for Americans to find meaningful work, choose the best education for their children, access quality healthcare, and more opportunity for Americans to achieve their dreams. Our strategy endures. We will continue to provide leadership training so that free-market think tanks have a lasting, powerful presence in every state. We will bring people together to advance policy reforms that limit government and break down barriers to opportunity. We will invest in new ventures that will solve seemingly impossible problems. And we will fight for state power, as our Founders intended, to keep government in check for generations to come.