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← STATE POLICY NETWORK

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by STATE POLICY NETWORK.

Totals

Total revenue
$25,248,859
Total expenses
$22,465,803
Contributions and grants received
$23,754,997
Grants paid
$3,178,364
Program service revenue
$551,337
Investment income
$809,282
Other revenue
$133,243
Total assets, end of year
$24,576,851
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,781,419
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$22,795,432
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$15,328,104
Management and general expenses
$3,071,609
Fundraising expenses
$4,066,090
Program service expenses (Part III)
$15,328,104

Program services were 68.2% 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

    $31,000

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $23,723,997

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $40,721

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ANNUAL CONFERENCE

    total $551,337 · related or exempt $551,337

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $755,646 · excluded $755,646

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $8,694,299

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

    securities $8,640,663

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $53,636

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $53,636 · excluded $53,636

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $133,243 · excluded $133,243

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $133,243

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $3,162,637 · program services $3,162,637

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $15,727 · program services $15,727

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,585,278 · program services $762,237 · management and general $369,049 · fundraising $453,992

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $6,254,925 · program services $2,695,722 · management and general $1,683,545 · fundraising $1,875,658

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $229,699 · program services $152,941 · management and general $55,677 · fundraising $21,081

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $571,899 · program services $363,619 · management and general $96,574 · fundraising $111,706

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $527,516 · program services $305,971 · management and general $124,469 · fundraising $97,076

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $23,266 · program services $1,970 · management and general $21,296

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $46,784 · program services $26,679 · management and general $9,545 · fundraising $10,560

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $155,000 · program services $155,000

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $173,012 · fundraising $173,012

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $27,717 · management and general $27,717

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,299,365 · program services $3,006,051 · management and general $3,999 · fundraising $289,315

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $235,384 · program services $229,500 · fundraising $5,884

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $529,990 · program services $145,257 · management and general $16,056 · fundraising $368,677

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $62,316 · program services $38,718 · management and general $13,871 · fundraising $9,727

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $558,552 · program services $71,288 · management and general $451,724 · fundraising $35,540

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,752,048 · program services $1,554,703 · management and general $13,673 · fundraising $183,672

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $2,388,781 · program services $2,141,321 · management and general $38,709 · fundraising $208,751

  • 20 · Interest

    total $75,914 · program services $37,272 · management and general $17,999 · fundraising $20,643

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $91,347 · management and general $91,347

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $86,111 · program services $72,865 · management and general $6,170 · fundraising $7,076

  • 24a · Other expenses: DUES - SUBSCRIPTIONS -

    total $612,535 · program services $388,626 · management and general $30,189 · fundraising $193,720

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $3,058,361 · end of year $4,301,803

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $13,318 · end of year $522,641

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,096,270 · end of year $2,626,270

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $165,144 · end of year $246,559

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $419,216 · end of year $405,281

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

    $213,456

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

    $189,269

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $47,746 · end of year $24,187

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $15,840,279 · end of year $15,131,917

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $67,788 · end of year $1,318,193

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $586,891 · end of year $300,257

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $69,375 · end of year $1,481,162

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $15,518,762 · end of year $17,342,355

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $4,533,094 · end of year $5,453,077

Mission and programs · 2024

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.

  • STATE POLICY ANALYSIS AND EDUCATION - IDENTIFY EMERGING AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO STATE PROBLEMS; WORK ALONGSIDE THINK TANKS TO BUILD MOMENTUM FOR WIDE-SPREAD EDUCATION ABOUT THOSE SOLUTIONS, AND DEVELOP REFORM LEADERS. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CREATE A ROBUST MOVEMENT OF LEADERS ADVANCING FREE MARKET IDEAS IN THE STATES.

    Expenses $8,706,103 · Grants $2,802,364

  • TRAINING PROGRAMS - SPN'S LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE IDENTIFIES AND DEVELOPS LEADERS, HELPING STRENGTHEN THE NETWORK OF SPN AFFILIATES, AND INSPIRING AND TRAINING AFFILIATES TO EDUCATE CITIZENS. SPN OFFERS OVER 40 SERVICES TO THINK TANKS, LIKE ONE-ON-ONE EVALUATION AND ADVISING, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TRAINING, LEADERSHIP MENTORING, AND PEER NETWORKING SUMMITS.

    Expenses $2,594,414 · Grants $196,000

  • ANNUAL MEETING - IN 2024, SPN'S ANNUAL MEETING ATTRACTED MORE THAN 1,500 PARTICIPANTS, REPRESENTING THINK TANKS FROM NEARLY ALL FIFTY STATES, AS WELL AS NATIONAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS. THE ANNUAL MEETING FEATURES MULTIPLE EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOCUSED ON BUILDING SKILLS IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, OUTREACH, COMMUNICATION, OPERATIONS, AND POLICY, ALONG WITH PLENARY SESSIONS FOCUSED ON CRITICAL TOPICS LIKE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND INNOVATION.

    Expenses $3,018,250 · Revenue $551,337

  • CENTER FOR PRACTICAL FEDERALISM - SPN'S CENTER FOR PRACTICAL FEDERALISM EDUCATES THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, THINK TANKS, AND POLICYMAKERS ON THE BENEFITS OF FEDERALISM. THE CENTER FOR PRACTICAL FEDERALISM'S INITIATIVES, RESEARCH, AND TRAININGS FOCUS ON POLICY SOLUTIONS STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS CAN CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING TO BETTER SERVE THEIR STATES AND COMMUNITIES.

    Expenses $1,009,337 · Grants $180,000

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Tracie J Sharp

    PRESIDENT AND CEO

    Total calculated
    $483,877
    From this org
    $470,614
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,263
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $390,614
    Bonus
    $80,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $12,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,063
    Filer's total
    $483,877

  • Carl O Helstrom III

    CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Stanford D Swim

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Thomas L Willcox

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lawson Bader

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • George Coates

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • John Hood

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Adam Meyerson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Carrie Tynan

    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

  • Tony Woodlief

    SR EXECUTIVE VP

    Total calculated
    $307,238
    From this org
    $295,421
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,817
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $260,421
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $11,817
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $307,238

  • Emily McCallister

    EXECUTIVE VP

    Total calculated
    $265,598
    From this org
    $255,383
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,215
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $215,383
    Bonus
    $40,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,215
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $265,598

  • Rebecca Painter

    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $312,403
    From this org
    $300,388
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,015
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $220,388
    Bonus
    $80,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $12,015
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $312,403

  • Carrie Conko

    SENIOR VP

    Total calculated
    $216,162
    From this org
    $196,181
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,981
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $196,181
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,847
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,134
    Filer's total
    $216,162

  • Kyle Hartz

    VP OF OPERATION

    Total calculated
    $270,213
    From this org
    $244,098
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,115
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $197,223
    Bonus
    $46,875
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,764
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,351
    Filer's total
    $270,213

  • Crystal Baker

    SR DIR. OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

    Total calculated
    $240,176
    From this org
    $215,321
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,855
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $180,321
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,613
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,242
    Filer's total
    $240,176

  • Jennifer Thompson

    SR DIR. OF LAUNCHPAD

    Total calculated
    $232,382
    From this org
    $200,321
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,061
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $180,321
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,013
    Nontaxable benefits
    $24,048
    Filer's total
    $232,382

  • Julie Burden

    SR DIR. OF SPECIAL PROJECTS

    Total calculated
    $205,202
    From this org
    $197,310
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,892
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $167,310
    Bonus
    $30,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,892
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $205,202

  • Christina Pajak - Senior

    DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

    Total calculated
    $204,075
    From this org
    $190,299
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,776
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $155,299
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,612
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,164
    Filer's total
    $204,075

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 12/30/24.

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
2024
Filed
7 July 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202501959349301335

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

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