Philanthropy professionals in Pennsylvania understand how state policy affects the nonprofit sector, and many have a history of engaging and educating state policymakers. Even given private foundations’ constraints on lobbying, there are numerous opportunities for communication between philanthropy and the public sector that are permissible and can serve to build relationships and advance important issues.
A number of Pennsylvania funders work to ensure that both public and private dollars are used effectively to promote quality results, to the benefit of both taxpayers and communities. Funding organizations that work regularly in fields like public education, healthcare or workforce development often house deep knowledge, expertise and connections that can be useful to fellow funders whose work is place-based or occasionally touches upon these fields.
The Keystone Policy Series of conference calls/ webinars has been developed by Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania (www.gwpa.org) and Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia (www.philanthropynetwork.org) to inform all Pennsylvania funders about how their colleagues are working on selected statewide policy issues. Funding organizations across the state will:
- Learn background information about a community issue from a statewide perspective
- Hear about work undertaken by Pennsylvania funding colleagues to address a policy challenge
- Learn about potential solutions in Pennsylvania and potential roles for philanthropy
- Build/ strengthen working relationships with other funders across the state
Join us for the third session:
Investing in Change: Foundation Support for Lobbying and Other Advocacy
Wednesday, March 29, 2017 |2:00 – 3:30 PM
The ongoing Keystone Policy Series endeavors to highlight how Pennsylvania funders are working on selected statewide policy issues. But are you a funder who’s uncertain about how to begin? Not sure how to make the case for funding advocacy? Uncertain whether you can fund grantees that lobby? Wondering whether your public or private foundation can speak out on a particular issue? This session will answer these questions and more.
Led by Abby Levine, Director of Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy program, this special 90-minute Keystone Policy Series webinar will cover:
- Reasons for public and private foundation support for advocacy
- Overview of activities that constitute advocacy and public policy work
- Various advocacy roles for foundations
- Definitions of lobbying
- Activities that are exceptions to the definitions of lobbying, including those which are permissible by private foundations
- Rules for private and public foundation grants to nonprofits that lobby, including general support, specific project, and multi-year grants
- Grant agreement language that permits support for policy work
Please click here to register (Note: You will need to create an account on GWP's website to register for this program).
If you have any questions or concerns about registration, please contact Kabria Rogers at kabria@philanthropynetwork.org.
