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← STATE POLICY NETWORK

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by STATE POLICY NETWORK.

Totals

Total revenue
$18,666,642
Total expenses
$23,630,803
Contributions and grants received
$17,272,975
Grants paid
$6,108,745
Program service revenue
$737,726
Investment income
$632,209
Other revenue
$23,732
Total assets, end of year
$19,799,574
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,943,209
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$17,856,365
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$18,156,330
Management and general expenses
$2,196,150
Fundraising expenses
$3,278,323
Program service expenses (Part III)
$18,156,330

Program services were 76.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $30,000

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $17,242,975

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $40,363

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ANNUAL CONFERENCE

    total $737,726 · related or exempt $737,726

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $617,454 · excluded $617,454

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $3,850,185

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $3,835,430

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $14,755

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $14,755 · excluded $14,755

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $23,732 · excluded $23,732

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $23,732

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $6,092,250 · program services $6,092,250

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $16,495 · program services $16,495

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,562,524 · program services $976,571 · management and general $286,307 · fundraising $299,646

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $6,427,461 · program services $4,526,418 · management and general $532,510 · fundraising $1,368,533

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $242,483 · program services $172,558 · management and general $23,500 · fundraising $46,425

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $601,187 · program services $413,960 · management and general $138,966 · fundraising $48,261

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $580,355 · program services $377,329 · management and general $98,267 · fundraising $104,759

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $76,752 · program services $66,792 · management and general $9,960

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $283,045 · management and general $283,045

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $30,140 · program services $30,140

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $217,578 · fundraising $217,578

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $53,875 · management and general $53,875

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,879,319 · program services $2,415,887 · management and general $169,875 · fundraising $293,557

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $513,862 · program services $102,082 · management and general $15,438 · fundraising $396,342

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $40,911 · program services $6,907 · management and general $34,004

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $101,221 · program services $17,390 · management and general $78,312 · fundraising $5,519

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,140,534 · program services $828,409 · management and general $231 · fundraising $311,894

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $1,824,187 · program services $1,718,672 · management and general $506 · fundraising $105,009

  • 20 · Interest

    total $63,963 · program services $2,609 · management and general $61,354

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $236,235 · program services $162,279 · management and general $27,090 · fundraising $46,866

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $29,163 · program services $20,033 · management and general $3,344 · fundraising $5,786

  • 24a · Other expenses: DUES - SUBSCRIPTIONS -

    total $559,769 · program services $195,490 · management and general $345,423 · fundraising $18,856

  • 24b · Other expenses: OTHER EXPENSES

    total $57,494 · program services $14,059 · management and general $34,143 · fundraising $9,292

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $4,301,803 · end of year $4,724,571

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $522,641 · end of year $367,571

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $2,626,270 · end of year $776,270

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $246,559 · end of year $273,012

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $405,281 · end of year $504,386

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $24,187

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $19,061

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $24,187 · end of year $5,126

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $15,131,917 · end of year $11,984,683

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $1,318,193 · end of year $1,163,955

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $300,257 · end of year $604,741

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,481,162 · end of year $1,338,468

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $17,342,355 · end of year $15,701,252

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $5,453,077 · end of year $2,155,113

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

STATE POLICY NETWORK'S (SPN) MISSION IS TO CATALYZE THRIVING, DURABLE FREEDOM MOVEMENTS IN EVERY STATE, ANCHORED WITH HIGH-PERFORMING, INDEPENDENT THINK TANKS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

CATALYZE THRIVING, DURABLE FREEDOM MOVEMENTS IN EVERY STATE, ANCHORED WITH HIGH-PERFORMING INDEPENDENT THINK TANKS.

  • CATALYZE MULTI-STATE POLICY SOLUTIONS: SPN EMPOWERS A NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF INDEPENDENT THINK TANKS TO COLLABORATE ON STATE AND COMMUNITY CHALLENGES, CONDUCT RIGOROUS RESEARCH, AND PROMOTE PROVEN POLICY SOLUTIONS NATIONWIDE. THROUGH STRATEGIC GRANTS, HANDS-ON SUPPORT, AND FOSTERING DEEP COLLABORATION AMONG STATE LEADERS, SPN ACCELERATES INNOVATIVE REFORMS THAT STRENGTHEN SELF-GOVERNANCE AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICANS.

    Expenses $8,473,899 · Grants $4,201,369 · Revenue $368,863

  • BUILD AND STRENGTHEN STATE-BASED DURABLE FREEDOM INFRASTRUCTURE: THROUGH TARGETED TRAINING, COACHING, GRANTS, AND PEER-TO-PEER COLLABORATION, SPN ACCELERATES THE GROWTH AND IMPACT OF HIGH-PERFORMING STATE-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS. BY CONNECTING STATE LEADERS AND EQUIPPING THEM TO DEFEND FEDERALISM, ADVANCE FREE-MARKET REFORMS, AND CHAMPION COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS, SPN ENSURES POLICY CHANGES TAKE ROOT, ENDURE, AND ULTIMATELY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF AMERICANS.

    Expenses $5,275,694 · Grants $1,625,881 · Revenue $295,090

  • ADVANCE PRACTICAL FEDERALISM: SPN EQUIPS POLICYMAKERS WITH TRAINING, INFORMATION, AND PRACTICAL TOOLS TO RESIST FEDERAL OVERREACH AND IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS TAILORED TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. BY EMPOWERING STATES TO ACT AS LABORATORIES OF DEMOCRACY, SPN ENSURES POLICY DECISIONS ARE SHAPED BY THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE CHALLENGES.

    Expenses $2,256,544 · Grants $265,000 · Revenue $73,773

  • OTHER PROGRAMS

    Expenses $2,150,193 · Grants $16,495

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Tracie J Sharp

    PRES & CEO TILL 9/25, CEO EMERITUS

    Total calculated
    $487,953
    From this org
    $458,493
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,460
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $378,493
    Bonus
    $80,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $14,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,460
    Filer's total
    $487,953
  • Lawson Bader

    CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Stanford D Swim

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • John Hood

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Carrie Tynan

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • George Coates

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Adam Meyerson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Bridgett G Wagner

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Nicole Hoplin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Christopher Dauer

    CHIEF EXEC. OFFICER AS OF 09/25

    Total calculated
    $155,328
    From this org
    $146,782
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,546
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $121,782
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,746
    Filer's total
    $155,328
  • Emily McCallister

    EXECUTIVE VP

    Total calculated
    $266,376
    From this org
    $256,131
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,245
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $226,131
    Bonus
    $30,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,245
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $266,376
  • Anthony Woodlief

    SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $322,546
    From this org
    $310,140
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,406
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $270,140
    Bonus
    $40,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $12,406
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $322,546
  • Rebecca Painter

    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT UNTIL 12/25

    Total calculated
    $330,321
    From this org
    $320,136
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,185
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $240,136
    Bonus
    $80,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,185
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $330,321
  • Kyle Hartz

    VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $274,919
    From this org
    $246,168
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,751
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $201,168
    Bonus
    $45,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,205
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,546
    Filer's total
    $274,919
  • Christina Pajak

    M.D. OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

    Total calculated
    $230,975
    From this org
    $213,965
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,010
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $168,965
    Bonus
    $45,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,604
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,406
    Filer's total
    $230,975
  • Crystal Baker

    V.P. OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

    Total calculated
    $237,600
    From this org
    $211,165
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,435
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $176,165
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,904
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,531
    Filer's total
    $237,600
  • Julia Burden

    VICE PRESIDENT OF EVENT STRATEGY

    Total calculated
    $215,109
    From this org
    $207,105
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,004
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $172,105
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,004
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $215,109
  • Todd Davidson

    VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

    Total calculated
    $207,831
    From this org
    $191,951
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,880
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $171,951
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,804
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,076
    Filer's total
    $207,831
  • Carl O Helstrom III

    FORMER CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $60,000
    From this org
    $60,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $60,000
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $60,000

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 7
ALL BONUSES WERE NON-FIXED DISCRETIONARY, ACCRUED AND PAID ON 12/31/2025.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
11 September 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.2
Source object
202612549349300726

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.