To assist new state think tanks and advance the principles of liberty, State Policy Network created How to Start and Grow a Think Tank. This guide is the culmination of much individual and organizational experience.

State Policy Network (SPN) members have long kept the ideas of the American Revolution alive. To advance individual liberty, property rights, limited government and free markets is a noble cause. However, it is to be remembered that these are merely the means, the foundation, for the end: a free, prosperous and culturally rich society, a society in which individuals pursue their happiness.

Founded in 1992, SPN is the professional service organization for America’s state-based, free market think tank community. SPN is the only group in the country dedicated solely to improving the practical effectiveness of independent, non-profit, market-oriented, state-based think tanks.

Our work advances a free society by providing leadership development, management training, and networking opportunities for think tank professionals and promoting strategic partnerships among market-oriented organizations.

A long list of people and organizations deserve recognition for their contribution to How to Start and Grow a Think Tank. They are listed along with each article.

Please note, How to Start and Grow a Think Tank is a living document, one that will be regularly updated and available online at http://www.spn.org/spnmanual/recid.1/default.asp. We welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can continuously improve this guide to better serve the free market community.

Tracie J. Sharp
President
State Policy Network