President’s Message: New Goals to Match Growth, Momentum

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State Policy Network recently kicked off its 50-Fifty-5 initiative: a think tank in all 50 states with a combined $50 million budget in 5 years. These are more than just SPN's goals. We propose them as a challenge for the entire state think tank movement. These goals are within our reach.

Momentum is on our side. In the last 24 months, state-focused think tanks' combined revenues have nearly doubled to $40 million. We believe state think tanks can achieve combined revenues of over $50 million within a year or two. SPN is developing strategies to help its members be a part of that achievement.

Only four states to go. We used to consider it a good year when just one new state think tank was launched. In 2007 alone, five new state groups formed and each are highlighted in this publication. Four institutes are in states that previously had no think tank: Rhode Island, North Dakota, Nebraska and West Virginia. Contact me if you know someone in the four remaining open states still waiting for a think tank - Delaware, Louisiana, Idaho and Wyoming.

A movement of mentors. Former SPN board member and Mackinac Center president Larry Reed advises us, to be successful, "a movement's members must collaborate for impact and to keep from reinventing the wheel." Collaboration helps ensure the best leverage of donors' support. SPN's members have, at one point or another, benefited from a mentor. Most likely it was a colleague at another think tank.

The five new state think tanks featured in this special edition of SPN News add value to the efforts of established research and educational organizations. The diverse backgrounds of their boards and staff infuse more strength and knowledge to the movement for liberty. Their formation moves SPN closer to fulfilling its 50-Fifty-5 initiative. Make them feel welcomed. Be a mentor should you be called for assistance and advice.

The state-focused think tank movement is enjoying unprecedented growth and momentum. Despite the policy battles we face, I feel more confident of our ability to succeed. Please join us in this new commitment to the 50-Fifty-5 campaign, resolving to take your organization to a higher level of effectiveness over the next five years.