Learn more: Our new County Evidence-Based Budgeting Guide helps county officials deliver results for residents

State Policymakers

Helping state policymakers invest in what works

Results for America helps state leaders accelerate their use of evidence and data when making budget, policy, and management decisions.

  • Executive and legislative leaders can access no-cost, customized support to use data and evidence to advance state priorities and maximize the impact of every public dollar.
  • State leaders can join learning opportunities and peer networks to help them implement evidence-based solutions.
  • States can earn national recognition for their efforts to use evidence and data to improve results for residents.

We Offer No Cost Support to States

Our support includes training, coaching, and hands-on technical assistance tailored to your state’s goals and challenges. We can work in-person or remotely with individuals or teams over one session or several months.

  • Presentations & Trainings
    Introduction & Deep Dive on Evidence-Based Budgeting & Grantmaking
    30 minutes to 120 minutes
    Engaging, fast-paced sessions that introduce or expand on core evidence-based budgeting and grantmaking concepts. Content is tailored to your specific needs—from evidence 101 and foundational knowledge-building sessions, high-level overviews, to deeper dives into implementation challenges.
  • Shifting Dollars Technical AssistanceSM
    Hands-On Evidence-Based Budgeting & Grantmaking Support
    1 week to 6 months
    We roll up our sleeves with your team to start shifting dollars to evidence-based solutions. Together, we’ll create evidence definitions, draft budget/grant language and templates, and identify next steps to align your budgeting or grantmaking with evidence.
  • Implementation Support
    Ongoing Coaching & Review
    Ad Hoc
    Tailored, sustained support as your team applies evidence-based spending strategies to your budget and grant processes. Results for America can—with support from philanthropic partners—provide a dedicated Evidence Fellow to provide embedded, state-specific expertise to ensure long-term success & lasting impact.

What to Expect

States that partner with Results for America receive hands-on, tailored support that turns evidence-based policymaking from theory into practice.

  • In Maryland, we helped embed evidence-based budgeting into the state’s FY26 budget process by drafting customized instructions and templates—tools now used across all agencies. We also trained over 190 fiscal and agency leaders to apply  evidence when making funding decisions.
  • We helped Pennsylvania define evidence of effectiveness for the workforce system and conducted a field survey to learn how to support local areas in building evidence. The Governor’s Office developed a grant template leveraging these definitions.
  • In Tennessee, we supported Department of Education leaders to develop a research agenda to evaluate the impact of the state’s new school funding formula, strengthening the link between policy design and student outcomes.
  • In Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission partnered with RFA through our State Workforce Fellowship to strengthen how data and evidence inform workforce investments. Together, we supported the agency in designing grant programs that prioritize outcomes—helping ensure funding supports training programs that deliver measurable results for workers and employers.

Why Partner With Us?

Results for America’s evidence-based budgeting and grantmaking support is:

  • Nonpartisan and national in scope
  • Tailored to your state’s context and challenges
  • Grounded in real-world results and examples
  • Completely free of charge

Contact Us
Patrick Carter, Vice President & State Practice Lead
[email protected]

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By the Numbers
36
States
with grant programs that define and prioritize evidence of effectiveness
12
States
with a budgeting process that incorporates evidence
7
States certified
as leaders in using data and evidence in the 2024 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence
No-Cost Support

Shifting Dollars Technical Assistance℠

Helping leaders at every level of government deliver better results and faster progress for residents.
Get Started Here
State Standard of Excellence

A national benchmark - A “North Star” - for how state governments invest in what works.

Meet the Leading States Press Release

Featured Resources

State
November 1, 2024
State Evidence-Based Budgeting Guide
State
April 7, 2025
State Evidence-Based Grantmaking Guide
Federal
State
October 28, 2024
How State Agencies Can Leverage the Federal Uniform Grants Guidance to Improve Outcomes for Residents
State Honor Roll
Seven States Achieve Invest in What Works Certification from Results for America for Investing in What Works

State Education Fellows

Empowering state education leaders to invest in what works to help students succeed.
State and Local Workforce Fellows

Supporting workforce leaders in making progress in improving outcomes for America's workers.
LEVER

Building local and state governments' capacity to evaluate federal investments.

“We have a moral obligation to take the time to figure out which programs are producing intended results to improve those that aren’t.”

Tim Walz, Democratic Governor of Minnesota

“Throughout our history, Tennessee and its people have played key roles in leading the nation. It’s important that we continue to lead with investments based on data to ensure success.”

Bill Lee, Republican Governor of Tennessee

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