State Policy Network’s Development Apprentice Program welcomes 2019 class of rising philanthropic leaders
State think tanks have extraordinary opportunities to change the lives of families, workers, and individuals and steer our country toward a freer and more prosperous future. But, as any nonprofit leader will tell you, achieving that kind of mission is not possible without supporters who share your organization’s passion and vision.
Nonprofit leaders will also tell you that these philanthropic partnerships do not develop overnight. Building these relationships requires the consistent presence and diligence of a key role within the organization: development professionals who can connect an organization’s vision and mission to the difference that philanthropists want to make in their states.
Development professionals are so central to the long-term success of think tanks that State Policy Network launched the Development Apprentice Program (DAP) in 2018 to connect new talent to the field of development within the state-based, free-market Network.
This spring, SPN kicked off the second year of its Development Apprentice Program and welcomed 13 new young professionals into the Network. These participants will be placed at SPN state think tank affiliates across the country where they will receive a combination of intensive training and on-the-job experience in nonprofit philanthropy. Working alongside seasoned development leaders, apprentices will learn the day-to-day aspects of development operations, as well as the high-level components of the field, such as development strategy and donor engagement.
This program is unique among professional apprenticeships, especially within the liberty movement, because it offers an intentional and structured path toward a career that many do not directly study in school. Several development professionals end up in their careers serendipitously, and think tanks can struggle to fill development roles when it is difficult to tie the career opportunities to specific majors or education programs. DAP creates a direct, practical link between aspiring young talent and philanthropic careers paths in the free-market movement.
The program will also support the development directors serving as the day-to-day supervisors for apprentices, providing them with management training to further their own professional growth.
DAP kicked off in May 2019 with a Welcome Seminar at SPN’s headquarters in Arlington, VA. During this week-long seminar, apprentices learned about the fundamentals of fundraising, received general professional development training, and connected with a peer network of fellow apprentices and professional mentors. Apprentices also had a chance to explore DC and get to know each other and SPN staff during a scavenger hunt that took them to several historic monuments and popular DC sites.
This week was an exciting milestone for SPN’s Development Training program, which has focused on growing and cultivating the Network’s development leaders through many training opportunities over the past six years. The DAP Welcome Seminar alone involved over 65 development leaders who offered their time and expertise to train and interact with the new apprentice class. These leaders included alumni from the 2018 DAP class, think tank hosts, mentors, facilitators, and other partners. Even more development leaders will engage with DAP as the 10-week program unfolds.
This show of leadership is an extraordinary testament to the Network’s growth, especially in the field of development. Six years ago, it would have been a challenge to find that many development professionals in the think tanks. Today, the Network not only boasts an impressive number of development leaders, but it also attracts and retains new talent like never before. In its first year alone, DAP empowered apprentices from the 2018 DAP class to land development roles in organizations such as The Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, the Show-Me Institute in Missouri, and State Policy Network.
“It is exciting to see the growth and success of this program, and it is only possible thanks to the hard work and support of SPN’s donors, staff, and the development directors and leadership across the Network who truly have embraced fundraising as a crucial part of organizations’ success,” said Kristina Mitten Sanders, SPN’s senior director of leadership and philanthropic strategy, who has spearheaded SPN’s development training programs since 2011.
“Our hope is that this program will continue to build the culture of philanthropy in SPN’s member think tanks and raise awareness of nonprofit development as an exciting, fulfilling career option for new graduates.”
SPN extends a special thanks to the state think tank affiliates who are hosting 2019 development apprentices:
Samantha Jorich, Illinois Policy Institute (Illinois): “I’m excited that this program even exists—it’s the only one of its kind that I could find. So many people I talk to in this field have fallen into it. This program is a direct path to success, and I’m looking forward to learning how to cultivate relationships with donors and build support for the liberty movement. I can’t be the million-dollar donor right now, but I can support the movement by joining a think tank and helping them thrive. I want to give back to the things that have transformed me, and this is how I want to do it.”
Alexis Pavlinich, Cardinal Institute (West Virginia): “I enjoy building relationships and listening to people so that I can connect them to ways they can fulfill their personal goals. I’m excited to help donors take part in a vision that speaks to them.”
Jacob Householder, Mackinac Center (Michigan): “I’ve been passionate about freedom since high school, but I never thought there would be a career opportunity within the freedom movement. I was pretty committed to go into banking and finance and participate in the freedom movement on the side. It changed my life to learn that there’s a way to be part of it as a career. I really believe in state-based solutions. These laboratories of democracy will produce the best results if we allow states to experiment and try their hand at solving problems…Think tanks can change the policy climate and conversation so that solutions that are impossible now can be possible soon.”
Madison Bauer, James Madison Institute (Florida): “I have passion for free-market ideas, but I don’t necessarily want to work in policy. I’m more extroverted and love talking with people. In development, I can assist with a need and use my skills to advance a cause I care about. I’m excited for the chance to get real knowledge about the field of development and explore a potential career path. I love that this opportunity is called an “apprenticeship.” It implies that I’m going to get in-depth knowledge, and I’m excited to learn new skills and discover a new path for my future in an intentional way.”
Emily Ethridge, State Policy Network: “State think tanks are interested in ideas but combine the ideas with practicality. I see that as being really impactful, and I’ve always wanted to do meaningful work that makes the world a better place. I have spent time on college campuses that are generally very liberal. I don’t think those ideas are good for our country, and if that’s what young people are being taught, there’s a big need for the liberty movement to provide a different perspective. I know the liberty movement is dedicated to creating a more prosperous society, and I’m excited to contribute to that.”
Alex Miller, Maine Heritage Policy Center (Maine): “I really appreciate interpersonal communication skills. Dialogues are so important, especially for organizations trying to build their brands and cultivate relationships. I’m excited to serve as the liaison between my organization and the people who feel passionately about the same mission. The organization’s work becomes more real for donors when there’s someone there to serve them. It’s a significant thing to love and respect donors and their generosity.”
If you are interested in learning more about this program or serving as a host organization or mentor, please contact Kristina Mitten Sanders at kristina@spn.org
