State Policy Network

Mission

State Policy Network’s mission is to catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high-performing, independent think tanks.

Cultivating Thriving Free-Market Movements in Every State

Founded in 1992 at the urging of Ronald Reagan, State Policy Network (SPN) is dedicated to improving the practical effectiveness of independent, nonprofit, market-oriented, state-focused think tanks. lts role is to incubate new ideas and build a strong network that enables affiliates to connect and accelerate the process of converting those ideas to reform. Its network includes 66 independent state think tank affiliates and over 80 associate partners.

SPN works from the perspective that support for a free society comes from within communities, and that local networks and leaders are best-positioned to drive lasting change. With Bradley support, its primary activities include incubating and developing think tanks, connecting talented state leaders, and defending affiliates in the 50-state network with legal best practices and critical resources. SPN advances five priorities:

• Leadership: Raising up strong leaders with the vision, diligence, and humility required for transformational victory
• Infrastructure: Cultivating stable yet nimble state-level organizations working in collaboration to advance principled reforms
• Message: Delivering powerful, moving messages targeted to the right audience at the right time
• Intelligence: Leveraging research and information into smart engagement in key policy areas
• Transformational donors: Inspiring partnerships that fund and drive wins

ln addition to helping its affiliates address their own emerging issues, SPN looks for trends that transcend state boundaries and targets its efforts accordingly. Current areas of interest include education reform, especially pushing for the adoption of education savings accounts; public sector union reform, working with ten affiliates; and protecting donor privacy.