State Policy Network
State Policy Network (SPN) is a public charity based in Arlington, Virginia. Founded in 1992, it supports independent state think tanks and other organizations through grantmaking, training, coaching, and coordination across a network it describes as including 64 state think tank affiliates and more than 100 national partners.
State Policy Network at a glance
In short: State Policy Network gave $3.2M across 46 grants in 2024 (avg $69K), top state Georgia. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,162,637
- -55.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 46
- -16.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $68,753
- -46.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $52,500
- Total assets
- $24,576,851
- +18.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (8 of 46, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (8% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to State Policy Network
- Contact
Mailing address: 1500 Wilson Blvd Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (703) 243-1655
Website: https://spn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who State Policy Network funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Opportunity Arkansas ($167K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
239 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 84 grants of 239 (35%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SPN describes its work as supporting a network across the states. Its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Georgia and South Carolina, at 8% each, followed by Utah at 6%, and Arkansas and Louisiana at 5% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is State Policy Network open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 46 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $72K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $65K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.4M (2020) to $7.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 46 grants totaling $3.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity Arkansas Little Rock, AR | General Operating | $166,625 |
| South Carolina Policy Council Columbia, SC | General Operating | $160,000 |
| Libertas Institute Lehi, UT | General Operating | $155,000 |
| Georgia Public Policy Foundation Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $143,500 |
| Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs Oklahoma City, OK | General Operating | $142,862 |
| Yankee Institute Hartford, CT | General Operating | $124,000 |
| Georgia Center for Opportunity Norcross, GA | General Operating | $122,000 |
| Institute for Reforming Government Washington, DC | General Operating | $112,000 |
| Palmetto Promise Institute Columbia, SC | General Operating | $105,500 |
| Commonwealth Foundation Harrisburg, PA | General Operating | $105,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24,576,851 | $25,248,859 | $22,465,803 | $3,162,637 | 46 | $809,282 |
| 2023 | $20,708,122 | $27,111,882 | $25,798,586 | $7,029,470 | 55 | $743,194 |
| 2022 | $19,307,307 | $21,031,105 | $21,083,831 | $6,240,824 | 47 | $237,950 |
| 2021 | $19,540,701 | $24,770,462 | $18,730,675 | $4,230,900 | 48 | $68,097 |
| 2020 | $13,289,150 | $14,787,030 | $12,298,963 | $2,386,400 | 43 | $75,115 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
SPN’s mission is to “catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high-performing, independent think tanks.” Its stated program areas include state policy analysis and education; training and leadership development; the annual meeting; and the Center for Practical Federalism, which educates the public, think tanks, and policymakers about federalism.
SPN describes its grants as supporting state think tank issue campaigns and policy opportunities identified through its policy working groups. In 2024, its largest listed recipients included organizations whose own missions emphasize state policy research and education. For example, the South Carolina Policy Council says it promotes limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty and responsibility in South Carolina; the Georgia Public Policy Foundation says it seeks to improve Georgians’ lives through policies that enhance economic opportunity and freedom; and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs says it advances free enterprise, limited government, personal responsibility, and individual initiative.
Grantmaking
SPN reports that it invests more than $6 million each year in targeted investments in its network. Its 2024 filing lists 46 grants totaling $3,162,637. Grant sizes ranged from $10,000 to $166,625, with a median of $52,500. The filing says grants were based on reviewed proposals, required a completion report, and that reports were collected for projects completed in 2024.
The largest 2024 grants included $166,625 to Opportunity Arkansas, $160,000 to the South Carolina Policy Council, $155,000 to the Libertas Institute, $143,500 to the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, and $142,862 to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Each was listed for general operating support.
SPN describes three grant services: request-for-proposal programs developed with other funders, grant-strategy assistance for affiliates, and proposal coaching. It says invitations to issue-campaign grants depend on available funds and donor intent. Its website also describes an Ed-Prize and Civics Prize program for 2026; the page identifies eligible projects and proposal elements but gives no deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The officers and directors listed on SPN’s 2024 filing are Tracie J. Sharp, president and CEO; Carl O. Helstrom III, chairman; Stanford D. Swim, secretary; and Thomas L. Willcox, treasurer. The directors listed are Lawson Bader, George Coates, John Hood, Adam Meyerson, Carrie Tynan, and Bridgett G. Wagner.
State Policy Network is led by Tracie J. Sharp, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 10 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tracie J. Sharp
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$375K (2020) → $471K (2024)
Carl O. Helstrom III
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Burden
Senior Director of Special Projects
Senior Director of Events Strategy → Senior Director of Events, 2021
Senior Director of Events → Senior Director of Special Projects, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$175K (2020) → $197K (2024)
Jennifer Thompson
Senior Director of Launchpad
Launchpad Program Director → Senior Director of Launchpad, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$152K (2022) → $200K (2024)
Crystal Baker
Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$195K (2023) → $215K (2024)
Christina Pajak - Senior
Director of Strategic Partnerships
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$190K (2024)
Adam Meyerson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bridgett G. Wagner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Hood
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lawson Bader
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Tynan
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Coates
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Hoplin
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Conko
Senior Vice President
Vice President of Communications → Senior Vice President of Communications, 2021
Senior Vice President of Communications → Senior Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$170K (2020) → $196K (2024)
Rebecca Painter
Senior Vice President
Vice President of Development → Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, 2023
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships → Senior Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$215K (2020) → $300K (2024)
Tony Woodlief
Senior Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President → Senior Executive Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$202K (2020) → $295K (2024)
Emily McCallister
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$228K (2023) → $255K (2024)
Kyle Hartz
Vice President of Operations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$244K (2024)
Stanford D. Swim
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas L. Willcox
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Lynn Harsh (2020–2023) — Vice President of Strategy
- Former: Theodore D. Abram (2020–2023) — Director -
- Former: Elise Westhoff (2021–2023) — Director -
- Former: Todd Davidson (2022–2023) — Vice President of Programs
- Former: Cynthia Kilduff Sr Director (2022) — Of Institutional Giving
- Former: Kathleen O'Hearn (2020–2021) — Vice President of Policy Achievement
- Former: Teresa Brown (2020–2021) — Vice President of Leadership Development
- Former: Karen Buchwald Wright (2020) — Director -
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $471K, to Tracie J Sharp (President and CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about State Policy Network
How much does State Policy Network give each year?
State Policy Network gave $3.2M across 46 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $7.0M across 55 grants.
What is State Policy Network's typical grant size?
State Policy Network's median grant in 2024 was $52,500, and its average grant was $68,753, across 46 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from State Policy Network that year got $51K on average.
Where does State Policy Network give grants?
State Policy Network's top state is Georgia, with 8% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were South Carolina (8%) and Utah (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (3 grants), Columbia, SC (2 grants), New Orleans, LA (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does State Policy Network give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of State Policy Network's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (46 of 46) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are State Policy Network's largest grantees?
State Policy Network's largest 2024 grantees include Opportunity Arkansas ($166,625), South Carolina Policy Council ($160,000) and Libertas Institute ($155,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is State Policy Network?
State Policy Network reported $24.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $25.2M.
What does State Policy Network fund?
SPN’s mission is to “catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high-performing, independent think tanks.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from State Policy Network?
State Policy Network has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check spn.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is State Policy Network's EIN?
State Policy Network's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0952531. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in State Policy Network's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). State Policy Network funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/state-policy-network-morg_c7ce42334cfb4726b72a3031f302fc8b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_570952531_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{State Policy Network funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/state-policy-network-morg_c7ce42334cfb4726b72a3031f302fc8b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from State Policy Network's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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