Donating money to modify public thinking and government policy has now taken its place next to service-centered giving as a constructive branch of philanthropy. Many donors now view public-policy reform as a necessary adjunct to their efforts to improve lives directly. This book was written to help donors navigate the obstacles of public-policy philanthropy.
The Council of Michigan Foundations contracted the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy to survey Michigan Community Foundations to determine the impact to community foundations for each of the two years after the repeal of Michigan's Charitable Tax Credit for Community Foundations. Survey findings suggest that the impact of the repeal has been significant. The average number of donations at the key dollar amounts decreased significantly from 2011 - 2013.
Regional Associations and their members are leading the public discussion on the America Gives More Act as shown by this collection of op-ed's authored by RA CEOs.
Regional association members are reaching out to their Senators and supporting the America Gives More Act. Here you'll find sample documents as examples of member action.
PowerPoint slides from "The Washington Update," a presentation by Sue Santa, Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs at the Council on Foundations, at the PolicyWorks Institute 2014. Topics include the 2014 mid-term elections, the America Gives More Act, and Chairman David Camp's discussion draft on tax reform.
PowerPoint slides from Richard Figueroa's "Moving Funders in Support of Policy Work" presented at the 2014 PolicyWorks Institute. This session discussed how a group of California funders are collaborating on social change as a starting point for a broader conversation on the value and ways that RAs can participate and support this kind of collaborative philanthropic effort.
Examples of regional associations communications with U.S. Senators around the America Give More Act.
Examples of regional association communications with their members and policy groups around the America Gives More Act.
PowerPoint slides from PolicyWorks Evaluator Dawn Roberts's presentation "How Has the Forum Network Changed?" Covering 2009-2014, the session detailed changes in how regional associations engage their members and legislators on public policy issues.
Nonprofits can and should play an active role during elections, particularly by educating and activating voters. However, with important local, state and federal elections coming up this fall, nonprofits should take the time to remind their staff about appropriate activity during a political campaign or at any other time.