State Policy Network
Network case studies to inspire your next issue campaign

“How did they do that?”

It may seem like a simple question, but the curiosity to ask such a question and seek out the answer is often what separates organizations that are able to accelerate their impact from those that struggle to do so. Think tanks in SPN’s 50-state Network have been able to change more and more lives across states by testing best practices, trying out new ideas, and—this is key—learning from one another.

There are so many effective strategies, creative approaches, and policy solutions within SPN’s Network. Whether you’re looking to try something new or simply avoid reinventing the wheel, this list of Network stories and case studies can help your organization find tips and inspiration for your next campaign or initiative. 

Education Reform

Cardinal Institute for West Virginia: How the Cardinal Institute built coalitions to pass the most expansive school choice program in the country

Illinois Policy Institute: Illinois Policy Institute shares powerful stories to save education program for low-income families

The James Madison Institute: James Madison Institute’s storytelling helps Florida expand education options to 61,000 new families

Palmetto Promise Institute: Palmetto Promise Institute uses powerful storytelling to advance school choice in South Carolina

Show-Me Institute: Case Study: How Show-Me Institute gave children a brighter future through Missouri’s first school choice program

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty: WILL helps students get back in the classroom after months of pandemic learning loss

Taxes, Jobs, and the Economy

Beacon Center of Tennessee: Beacon Center helps Tennessee adopt right-to-work constitutional amendment

Caesar Rodney Institute: Caesar Rodney Institute saves Delaware’s beach view

Frontier Institute: How Montana ignited economic opportunity with Frontier Institute’s ‘Montana Recovery Agenda’

Illinois Policy Institute: How Illinois Policy and coalition partners saved Illinois residents from harmful ‘fair tax’

Pelican Institute for Public Policy: Louisiana simplifies tax code to help working families

Texas Public Policy Foundation: Texas Public Policy Foundation helps Texas and other states pass fiscally responsible budgets

The Buckeye Institute: How The Buckeye Institute made Ohio a national trailblazer on occupational licensing reform

Regulation and Government Overreach

Commonwealth Foundation: Reaching across the aisle to curb Pennsylvania Governor’s executive overreach

Empire Center for Public Policy: Shedding light on New York’s nursing home catastrophe

Libertas Institute: Helping thousands of Utah businesses and entrepreneurs with innovative regulatory sandbox

Kansas Policy Institute: Restoring balance of power and ensures Kansans have due process rights during emergencies

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty: How Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty saved tailgating in Wisconsin

Building Audiences and Relationships

Mackinac Center for Public Policy: Mackinac Center partners with Michigan Chamber of Commerce to help restart Michigan’s economy

Maine Policy Institute: Maine Policy Institute attracts lawmakers and new audiences with virtual events

Kansas Policy Institute: Kansas Policy Institute increases owned audience by 38% through strategic education campaign

Empower Mississippi: How Empower Mississippi built coalitions to spur criminal justice reform in the Magnolia State

Bonus Resource: Issue Campaign Planning Guide

Need a roadmap to make sure your issue campaign includes all the essential parts? SPN’s Issue Campaign Planning Guide will help you align team members, resources, and activities to give your organization the best possible chance to create positive change in your state.

Share Your Work

What’s worked for your organization? If you have a strategy, best practice, or other success that you believe other Network think tanks can learn from, contact Lura Forcum, SPN’s Director of Marketing Communications at lforcum@spn.org to learn about options for having your work featured on SPN.org.

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