The Institute for State Policy Leaders is a 501(c)(3) organization and was created to assist state policymakers in making informed policy decisions by conducting nonpartisan educational programming. The programming is geared toward state elected leaders and focuses on complex emerging and current issues that are national in scope, but that impact states or are subject to state legislative, executive, and regulatory action — especially in light of federal stagnation.

The Institute will host several two-to-three-day programs on selected topics throughout the year. Decisions regarding educational topics are made by the Institute’s Board of Directors, in coordination with the Institute’s executive staff. Each program will provide policymakers with a balanced deep dive on a policy topic and allow them to discuss their concerns and questions with the leading experts on the topic and their lawmaker peers in other states. The goal of these programs is to provide a thorough and thoughtful understanding of a policy area so that state leaders are able to achieve desired policy outcomes and minimize unintended consequences when drafting and implementing public policies. Additionally, the Institute will serve as a forum for state leaders to gather, discuss, and deliberate on policy issues where interstate cooperation, whether through model legislation or guiding principles, would benefit states and their citizens. 

The Institute receives contributions to meet the full range of expenses and obligations of the organization.  The organization's financial decisions are made by the Institute’s Board of Directors, in coordination with the Institute’s executive staff.

The Institute has full decision-making authority and reserves the sole right to provide stipends to state policy leaders which will cover the leader’s costs to attend these policy programs and forums at no expense to state taxpayers. State policy leaders are independently required to comply with all ethics and disclosure laws of their state in order to accept a stipend.