State Policy Network (SPN) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Founded in 1992, SPN functions as an umbrella network coordinating a network of conservative and libertarian think tanks throughout the United States and Canada. The organization focuses on policy solutions, leadership development, and grantmaking to advance federalism and local governance initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.6M
+18.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.2M
-55.0% YoY
Grant Count
46
-16.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$69K
-46.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: An America where all people can flourish because collaborative, entrepreneurial leaders have secured lasting social change, personal freedom, and economic opportunity at the state and local level.
Mission: To catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high-performing independent think tanks.
SPN's core belief centers on restoring federalism and individual rights through local governance rather than expanding federal authority. Primary focus areas include:
State Policy Analysis and Education: Identifying emerging and innovative solutions to state problems, working alongside think tanks to build momentum for widespread education about those solutions, and developing reform leaders to advance free market ideas in the states.
Leadership Development: Identifying and developing leaders to strengthen the network of SPN affiliates and inspire them to educate citizens. SPN offers over 40 services to think tanks and affiliated organizations.
Annual Meeting and Convenings: The organization hosts an annual meeting attracting more than 1,500 participants representing think tanks from nearly all fifty states, national research organizations, and charitable foundations. Educational sessions focus on leadership development, outreach, communication, operations, and policy.
Grantmaking
SPN administers several grant and award programs:
Ready to take the next step with State Policy Network?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Revenue: $25.2 million
- Total Expenses: $22.5 million
- Total Assets: $24.6 million
- Total Liabilities: $1.78 million
Staffing: Approximately 57-68 employees
Rating: Four-Star rating from independent charity evaluator (96% overall score)
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since September 1992; EIN 57-0952531
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,576,851 | $20,708,122 | $19,307,307 |
| Revenue | $25,248,859 | $27,111,882 | $21,031,105 |
| Expenses | $22,465,803 | $25,798,586 | $21,083,831 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $809,282 | $743,194 | $237,950 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
234 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Tracie Sharp: CEO Emeritus (as of October 2025)
- Emily Mccallister: Executive Vice President
- Tony Woodlief: Executive Vice President
- Jennifer K Thompson: Senior Director, LaunchPad
- Kenny Wandstrat: Human Resources Director
- Lawson R Bader: Board of Directors
- George Coates: Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRACIE J SHARP | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $470,614 |
| CARL O HELSTROM III | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| STANFORD D SWIM | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| THOMAS L WILLCOX | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LAWSON BADER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GEORGE COATES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN HOOD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ADAM MEYERSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CARRIE TYNAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRIDGETT G WAGNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NICOLE HOPLIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TONY WOODLIEF | SR EXECUTIVE VP | 40 | $295,421 |
| EMILY MCCALLISTER | EXECUTIVE VP | 40 | $255,383 |
| REBECCA PAINTER | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $300,388 |
| CARRIE CONKO | SENIOR VP | 40 | $196,181 |
| KYLE HARTZ | VP OF OPERATION | 40 | $244,098 |
| CRYSTAL BAKER | SR DIR. OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS | 40 | $215,321 |
| JENNIFER THOMPSON | SR DIR. OF LAUNCHPAD | 40 | $200,321 |
| JULIE BURDEN | SR DIR. OF SPECIAL PROJECTS | 40 | $197,310 |
| CHRISTINA PAJAK - SENIOR | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS | 40 | $190,299 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
SPN announced 2025 award winners and finalists across multiple programs:
Announcing the 2025 SPN Bob Williams Awards Finalists2025 Pathways to Prosperity Prize Winners announced, including the Illinois Policy Institute and True Change
Announcing the 2025 Pathways to Prosperity Prize Winners: Illinois ...2025 SPN Communications Excellence Awards finalists announced
Announcing the 2025 SPN Communications Excellence Awards ...2025 SPN Bob Williams Awards finalists announced
Announcing the 2025 SPN Bob Williams Awards FinalistsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Wolf Family Charitable Trust
OAKTON, VA
Assets
$385K
Grants
5
Total Given
$189K
Stone Ridge Foundation
ALTAVISTA, VA
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
2
Total Given
$15K
Lawrence and Ira Straus Charitable Tr
ARLINGTON, VA
Assets
$236K
Grants
12
Total Given
$8K
Iraqi Children Foundation Inc
FAIRFAX, VA
Assets
$101K
Grants
2
Total Given
$610K
Mjh Foundation
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
Assets
$46.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$1.9M
The Roth Family Foundation
ARLINGTON, VA
Assets
$67K
Grants
1
Total Given
$25K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with State Policy Network on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities