Analyzing & Communicating about State Budgets
2024-05-23 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Is your organization considering delving into the state budget analysis space, or curious how others operate? Then join us for our May virtual community discussion!
Our speakers are Mandy Spears of the Sycamore Institute and Jason Stein of Wisconsin Policy Forum, both veterans in budget analysis. They’ll be speaking to the basics of their states’ budget processes, how their organizations approach budget analysis, and how they use data and communications to engage their stakeholders.

Creating & Launching the North Carolina Resilience Index
2024-06-20 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office to learn about their newly launched Resilience Index. The Resilience Index scores their community’s ability to withstand and bounce back from major challenges in nine dimensions, including business and economic vitality, healthcare system, social cohesion, and communications assets.
This session is ideal for anyone interested in learning how to engage with stakeholders such as research partners, academic institutions, and government offices, or about leveraging data to understand the strengths and vulnerabilities of their community.

Preparing for the Big Shift: Changes to Federal Race & Ethnicity Data Standards
2024-07-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
In 2024, the federal government announced new race and ethnicity data collection and reporting standards that will require changes to how data is collected, analyzed, and presented. This, in turn, will have major implications for state governments and private-sector entities that partner with federal agencies.
Key changes include: 1) combining Hispanic and Race into one category, 2) the addition of a new category, and 3) mandating disaggregation within racial categories like Asian wherever feasible.
By September 2025, federal agencies will submit their agency action plans for implementation. This is a critical time for state policy organizations to better understand the revision process, and to identify “use cases” that can inform and improve federal agency implementation.
In this webinar, AAPI Data, who helped inform the new standards, will share the background of these standards and what they mean for states, how your organization can be prepared to implement these new standards, and how to be a resource for other stakeholders in your state.

Thinking at scale: States and cities collaborating on shared issues
2024-10-17 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Many states, regardless of their political orientation, face comparable challenges, especially as the climate changes and the impacts are not confined by man-made state boundaries.
Join us on October 17 for a conversation with Ten Across, a cross-state organization dedicated to convening diverse perspectives to better share information and to inspire proactive decision-making for resilience and sustainability. Ten Across founder, Duke Reiter, will share his organization’s experience with partnering with states in the southern US to address extreme heat and water management, and how other policy organizations can build coalition, foster optimism, and collaborate with peer states to drive towards policy change.

All Network Meeting
2024-11-15 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us for our annual All Network Meeting, States for the Future’s virtual state of the union address on November 15th at 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET. Attendees will learn more about the future of the network and how participants can stay engaged. This meeting is open to anyone who is interested in States for the Future, regardless of your participation in our prior events. If you’d like to learn the latest about States for the Future, you are welcome to attend.

Advocacy 101: Engaging in advocacy and lobbying as a 501(c)(3)
2024-12-12 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join States for the Future and Bolder Advocacy on December 12th 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET for a primer on nonprofits and policy making. This session will provide comprehensive information on the rules governing policy — and election – related activity by 501(c)(3) organizations and how they can engage without jeopardizing their charitable status. Bring your questions and learn how your organization can participate in developing, implementing and evaluating policy solutions.
Bolder Advocacy is a program of the Alliance for Justice that empowers nonprofits and foundations to boldly advocate on behalf of their missions.

Storytelling with Data
2025-01-16 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join Irena Asmundson of Practical Idealism Economics and Mark Benak of Imagine New Mexico for an interactive session on how your organization can use storytelling and data in your work.
Imagine New Mexico is a new non-profit fostering accountability and cooperation amongst local nonprofits, starting with improving health outcomes for New Mexico residents. In this session, we will explore a framework for applying narrative principles to data and how this approach can be used with Imagine New Mexico’s new health outcomes data dashboard. Please come prepared to help us brainstorm and offer feedback!
BONUS OFFICE HOURS: Participants can stay on for an additional 30 minutes of office hours with Irena, former Chief Economist for the state of California to ask questions about how to apply the framework to work in their own states!

To prepare for this session, please read the below and follow the listed next steps:
Stories help us make sense of data, and if you are not explicit about communicating one, the public will insert their own.
A story is defined by:

People who
Are trying to do something, but
Are blocked for some reason.

We already implicitly have these in mind, just because we’re human. When we decide to engage in non-partisan, data-driven research, this is almost certainly because there is a problem we want to help solve to help people.
When we put out research and data dashboards, we might define everything except what actually is the solution. By choosing what data to highlight, we are showing who we care about, what is going on with them now, and in defining the problem (such as by picking comparators) we are implicitly defining the problem and what success looks like. At least, that’s what the
public will conclude when looking at your work. Be honest with yourself: decide on the story elements and deliberately show the public what you’re thinking. Tell people why a dataset it important, or what you are concluding from it. They might disagree, but at least you will be clear with each other and can have a dialogue based on data.
Next steps:
1. Take the quiz: https://pi-economics.com/quiz
2. Map out your story elements.
3. Check how your work aligns with the story.
4. Adjust how you highlight or explain your data/research.
5. Talk to the public about what makes sense to them, and
6. Iterate!

Overcoming Polarization with Participation
2025-02-13 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us for a virtual community discussion exploring Citizen Solutions, an innovative approach to fostering bipartisan civic engagement from The Builder’s Movement. Learn how this approach is shaping the future of policy-making in our increasingly polarized political landscape.
In this session, we will cover:

What is Citizen Solutions? Gain a clear understanding of this groundbreaking approach and how it empowers everyday citizens to participate in grassroots policy making.
What has been uncovered by Citizen Solutions pilots? What has Builder’s Movement learned from initial pilots and how it can inform the work you’re doing in your state.
Ways your organization can encourage collaboration between policymakers: See how approaches like Citizen Solutions and Builder’s Movements Power Rankings can foster bipartisan efforts.

Federal Policy Updates with Bipartisan Policy Center - Virtual Community Discussion
2025-04-30 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Hear about the latest in Federal policy updates from the Bipartisan Policy Center at our next States for the Future Virtual Community Discussion on Wednesday, April 30 at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT. Rachel B. Snyderman, BPC’s Managing Director of Economic Policy, will discuss how changes in funding and fiscal policy at the Federal level could impact state services, programming, and budgets. Our conversation will cover focus areas for many organizations in our network, including education and health.
Click here to register and join us on April 30.

States for the Future Annual Convening - November 4-6, 2025
2025-11-04 - 2025-11-06 | Canopy by Hilton Nashville Downtown, 920 Division St, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Join us for the annual States for the Future Convening in Nashville, Tennessee on November 4-6, 2025.
RSVP here (deadline extended to October 10)
Connect (and re-connect) with your counterparts in other states
The States for the Future convening will be an opportunity to learn, share, and collaborate with like-minded organizations that are leading policy conversations in their state with data and research. Building on the success of our two annual convenings in 2023 and 2024, our agenda will provide ample opportunities to learn how organizations similar to your own overcome challenges, engage their community, and inspire data-driven policy that positively impacts their state.
Agenda highlights include:

Navigating policy topics as non-partisan organizations
Building good data products
Engaging in the policymaking process
Storytelling and communicating with data
Getting smarter on key policy topics like education, housing, childcare, infrastructure, water and more

More detailed session information, including a full program agenda, will be provided in the coming months.
Who should attend?
This event provides a rare opportunity to connect with and learn alongside fellow experts and practitioners from across the country who share your commitment to data and research in advancing long term solutions to the many challenges states face.
To create opportunities for organizational and state ecosystem planning, we encourage you to share this invitation with a cross-section of colleagues from within and outside of your organization, such as:

Senior leadership in communications, policy, data, and programming at your organization
Key stakeholders from philanthropy, research community, and the business community in your state

Event logistics
As was in the case in prior years, there is no registration fee for this conference and SFF will cover all meals on site. This year, participants will be responsible for their own lodging and travel to the meeting. By completing the registration form, a hotel room will be reserved for you at the Canopy; there is no need to contact the hotel separately. SFF has secured a group rate of $299 (plus taxes and fees) per night for hotel rooms. Participants will pay for lodging when they arrive at the hotel.
Hotel rooms are available to meeting attendees on the nights of Tuesday, November 4 and Wednesday, November 5. Sessions will begin the morning of November 5 and end midday on November 6. We encourage out-of-town guests to arrive on Tuesday, November 4 in order to take full advantage of our sessions together.
We will host a dinner the evening of November 4 for anyone whose travel itinerary enables them to join (more details forthcoming).
Limited travel and/or lodging assistance is available for those for whom these costs would otherwise prohibit attendance. Please email info@statesforthefuture.org for more information.
About our location
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Canopy by Hilton Nashville Downtown (920 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203) is in the heart of the city and offers close proximity to many of the area’s attractions.
RSVP information
To secure a room as a part of our hotel room block, participants must RSVP by extended deadline of October 10. Complete the registration form below to reserve your space at the convening and lodging accommodations.
RSVP here (deadline extended to October 10)

Taking America's Pulse, One State at a Time: Insights from the State of the Nation Project and Potential Partnerships
2025-11-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Join States for the Future on Wednesday, November 19 at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT for our next Virtual Community Discussion exploring the State of the Nation Project, an innovative initiative analyzing key data and trends shaping America’s future from The Murphy Institute at Tulane University. Our presenter, Dr. Douglas Harris, will describe how this project was developed and how this research provides actionable insights for policymakers and civic leaders working to build stronger, more resilient states. Dr. Harris will also preview a series of upcoming state-focused data profiles, and discuss the potential for state partnerships.
CLICK HERE to register!

AI and State Data: Understanding the Risks and Rewards with the Data Integration Support Center
2026-02-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Are you exploring how your state government can use AI in productive, responsible ways? Or is your state already advancing major AI initiatives and grappling with questions around accountability, governance, and best practices? Join States for the Future for our next Virtual Community Discussion featuring experts from the Data Integration Support Center (DISC) on Wednesday, February 18, at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT. Together, we’ll dig into how states can leverage AI and data innovation effectively, responsibly, and in service of the public good. Register below and come ready to discuss how data-driven tools can accelerate progress in your state—and the critical role state-based advocates can play in shaping this fast-evolving landscape.

Click Here to Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Jppl2Mr5QHaSUjrBEfxfiw

A Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Modernizing the Federal Statistical System: Insights from State and Local Leaders
2026-03-11 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago)
The U.S. federal statistical system plays a central role in shaping evidence-based policy development, critical public and private sector decisions, and the efficient functioning of government and society. The challenges that the system faces are not new, but increased attention in Washington on efficiency may further test statistical units across the government. The Bipartisan Policy Center recently launched Data for the Future, an initiative to modernize and support the federal statistical system to ensure it serves the interests of the American public.
States for the Future is co-hosting this 90-minute virtual roundtable discussion with the Bipartisan Policy Center on Wednesday, March 11 at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT. Here we will explore how the federal statistical system supports subnational governance, identify emerging challenges, and generate recommendations to improve its coordination, sustainability, and value for state and local decisionmakers.
Click Here to Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/x0zaQjfFT_mBAM_TmRy6wQ

Data-Driven Approaches to Public Safety
2026-04-23 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Our next States for the Future Virtual Community Discussion will be jointly presented with the Governmental Research Association’s Researcher Council, scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT.
Join us as we feature the Birmingham-Jefferson County Justice Governance Partnership (BJC-JGP), a program of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA). The BJC-JGP is a cross-sector initiative working to improve justice outcomes in Jefferson County by fostering collaboration between government agencies, community organizations, and residents. Terrika Shaw, Director of Community Justice Research at PARCA ,will share how the partnership is using cross-sector collaboration and neighborhood-level data to inform policy, align resources, and advance more equitable outcomes in Birmingham and Jefferson County.
CLICK HERE to add this event to your calendar.

A Nation at Work: Building a Stronger, Future-Ready Workforce
2026-05-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
What does the future of work look like for American workers, and what role can states play in shaping it? We hope you will join our next States for the Future Virtual Community Discussion on May 20 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT, featuring the Bipartisan Policy Center’s latest work on strengthening America’s workforce. Experts from BPC will spotlight insights from the Commission on the American Workforce and the newly released report, A Nation at Work, exploring practical, bipartisan solutions to today’s labor challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with experts and peers on what it will take to build a more resilient, future-ready workforce.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Data Centers & State Policy: Governance Strategies and Policy Insights | June 18 Virtual Community Discussion
2026-06-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Join Us!
As data centers rapidly expand across the country, states are grappling with big questions about energy demand, water use, economic opportunity, and land use, and the policies needed to manage it all. Join Texas 2036 and States for the Future on June 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT for Data Centers & State Policy: Governance Strategies and Policy Insights, a virtual discussion featuring Sen. Thomas Pressly (Louisiana Senate), Lesley Jantarasami (Smart Electric Power Alliance), Kathryn Kline Tyndall (Bipartisan Policy Center), and Jeremy Mazur (Texas 2036). Don’t miss this timely conversation on how states are turning challenge into opportunity!
REGISTER HERE

Governmental Research Association and States for the Future Joint Annual Conference | July 19-22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois
2026-07-19 - 2026-07-22
States for the Future is excited to co-host the 2026 Annual Conference with the Governmental Research Association (GRA), taking place July 19–22, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. This collaboration brings together two networks representing states with nearly 80% of the US population for a unique opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen our impact in states.
Our nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026 invites reflection and action. It is an opportunity to examine the pressing issues facing our country and to consider the role organizations like the members of GRA and SFF play in shaping a stronger, more effective future for the states we serve.
Full details will be released in the coming months. In the meantime, we welcome your ideas on topics and experiences that would be helpful to your work. And if you have a session proposal or work you would like to showcase, we’d love to hear about that too. Let us know at info@statesforthefuture.org.
We encourage you, your colleagues, and your state partners to join us in Chicago for what promises to be a dynamic and impactful convening. Those in the SFF network qualify for the GRA Member Rate so be sure to register using the link below and secure your lodging early. A hotel reservation link within the conference room block is available on the registration page.
We look forward to convening, collaborating, and charting the future together.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
