An Independent, Nonpartisan Public Policy Research Center for Tennessee
INDEPENDENT
Sycamore takes an impartial approach to analyze and explain public policy issues. We are not beholden to any political, government, academic, or other organization.
NONPARTISAN
Our leadership and staff come from across the political spectrum, but we all believe that data and evidence create the best foundation for effective public policy.
RESEARCHERS
Sycamore provides information, analysis, and opportunities for learning and discussion. We are not lobbyists or advocates for particular legislative proposals, political perspectives, or party agendas.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The Sycamore Institute formed an advisory group known as the Community Council. The first members of this group include key public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from across the state who represent Tennesseans’ wide-ranging experiences and perspectives. Sycamore convenes the council periodically throughout each year to solicit feedback and insights that inform the organization’s work and to foster greater cross-sector collaboration between council members and the entities they represent.
Roshun Austin
THE WORKS, INC
Jake Bynum
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN
Mark Cruise
STRONG ACCOUNTABLE CARE COMMUNITY
Tammy Deiter
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Kim Carpenter Drake
MIDDLE TENNESSEE DONORS FORUM
Ryan Egly
LAWRENCE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Steven Gentile
TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION
Ardena Garth Hicks
CHATTANOOGA ENDEAVORS
Michael Hendrix
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BILL LEE
Danielle Inez
SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Candy Johnson
URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA
Jeff McCord
NORTHEAST STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Vonda McDaniel
CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Jenny Mills McFerron
THE EDUCATION TRUST – TENNESSEE
Leslie Meehan
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Amy Nolan
KNOXVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Matt Ryerson
UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE
Haley Simmons
CITY OF MEMPHIS
Josh Spickler
JUST CITY
Jacy Warrell
RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF TENNESSEE
MORE ABOUT SYCAMORE
Why Our Work Matters
We all want thriving communities where people enjoy good health, social and financial well-being, and the chance to make meaningful contributions to society. Most of our disagreements are about how to get there.
Sycamore plays a unique role in Tennessee’s civic life—bridging those divides by equipping decision-makers, journalists, citizens, and public and private sector leaders across the state with impartial, data-driven resources to identify, understand, and solve big challenges. We empower people to more effectively weigh—and weigh in on—the policy and institutional questions that shape our daily lives.
Tennesseans with wide-ranging perspectives rely on Sycamore’s clear and actionable insights and analyses. Over the years, our work has informed public and private sector decisions on state and local education funding, TennCare, medical debt, philanthropy, transportation, criminal justice, the state budget, and more.
Many nonprofit organizations also rely on Sycamore for trusted, objective information about issues that affect their work—including both policy analyses and technical assistance on strategic and program planning.
No matter how you use Sycamore’s work, we are proud to help Tennesseans make informed decisions and navigate complex challenges.
What Is Public Policy?
Public policy is what governments choose to do (or not do) about public problems. It includes laws, regulations, funding priorities, and any actions of our governing institutions and the people who run them. Public policy affects almost every aspect of our lives—where we live, where we learn, where we work, and where we wander.
How We Engage
By fostering open dialogue and providing unbiased, data-driven insights, we empower Tennesseans to participate in the policy-making process and advocate for their communities. We do this by:
1. Producing and communicating relevant, accessible, impartial, and data-driven research and analysis.
2. Engaging and building strong relationships with decision-makers and stakeholders from across Tennessee.
3. Convening and equipping Tennesseans to thoughtfully assess and address public challenges.
To get involved with Sycamore’s work, subscribe to our emails, follow us on social media, attend our events, and join the ranks of our donors!
Our Origin
The Sycamore Institute grew out of the bold vision of a diverse group of community leaders from across Tennessee who saw the need for an independent, nonpartisan public policy research center focused on our state.
With the leadership and support of The Healing Trust, approximately 80 of these leaders representing a broad range of professions, political views, and personal experiences engaged in a 3-day collaborative design process. Their goal: design an organization to inform and support the creation of sound, sustainable public policy for Tennessee through reliable, accessible, and data-driven research and analysis.
The name they chose reflects the strengths of Tennessee’s native sycamore: a unique, long-lived tree with strong roots that stands tall and spreads seed far and wide.
The Sycamore Institute launched in 2015 and quickly built a reputation as a reliable source of unbiased information about issues that affect and connect Tennesseans’ health, prosperity, and public policy.
OUR FUNDING AND INTEGRITY
Funding for the Sycamore Institute comes from a combination of foundations and individual donors. Our Code of Ethics reflects our commitment to maintaining integrity as a reliable source of information and independence from outside interests.