PolicyWorks for Philanthropy

PolicyWorks for Philanthropy is a multi-year initiative that seeks to build the capacity of regional associations of grantmakers’ staff, board and volunteer leaders to engage policymakers in support of a vibrant and effective philanthropic sector.

Our vision is that policymakers will recognize regional associations of grantmakers as among the most valued voices and expert resources on issues critical to philanthropy and society.

The PolicyWorks Community

The PolicyWorks Community consists of 20 regional associations of grantmakers committed to building their individual and collective capacity to achieve the PolicyWorks vision and goals. That commitment is based on the belief that:

• Policy work is essential to achieving our missions and helping our more than 3,000 foundation members; and
• As a network serving foundations in 39 states, the PolicyWorks community offers the best and only coordinated national system for building effective relationships with elected and appointed officials at all levels of government.

By "policy work" we mean government relations—related to legislation and regulations affecting the work of charitable foundations; and public policy engagement—supporting the achievement of charitable foundations’ mission and goals.

Building and maintaining relationships with policymakers is essential to the philanthropic sector’s ability to: educate policymakers about the work, value and impact of foundations; advise policymakers about potential legislation or regulation that could harm the sector and decrease much needed philanthropic dollars; gain policymakers’ support for legislation that could support the growth and effectiveness of philanthropy; and build partnerships with policymakers to achieve policy reforms that improve the quality of life for those foundations seek to serve.

STEERING COMMITTEE

• Council of Michigan Foundations,Co-chair & Fiscal Agent
• Ohio Grantmakers Forum, Co-chair
• Donors Forum (Illinois)
• Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania
• Northern California Grantmakers
• Philanthropy New York

MEMBERS

• Association of Baltimore AreaGrantmakers
• Conference of Southwest Foundations
• Connecticut Council for Philanthropy
• Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
• Delaware Valley Grantmakers
• Florida Philanthropic Network
• Grantmakers Forum of New York
• Indiana Grantmakers Alliance
• Iowa Council of Foundations
• Minnesota Council on Foundations
• Philanthropy Northwest
• San Diego Grantmakers
• Southeastern Council of Foundations
• Donors Forum of Wisconsin

PARTNERS

• Communications Network
• Forum of Regional Associations ofGrantmakers
• Philanthropy Awareness Initiative

FUNDERS

• William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
• Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

EVALUATOR

• Dawn Roberts

The PolicyWorks Strategy

PolicyWorks is designed as a three-stage, multi-year engagement involving regional association executives and senior staff with members of their boards of trustees and volunteer leaders such as committee chairs.

Please sign-in using your member login to read two case studies about PolicyWorks.