Over 30 CMF members engaged with state policymakers and their staff during Foundations In Lansing, a pilot series of virtual engagements for our community of philanthropy to deepen connections, educate policymakers and highlight philanthropy as a community thought leader and partner to government.

Foundations In Lansing was modeled after our annual federal policymaker event, Foundations on the Hill (FOTH). 

For decades CMF members and CMF have engaged in FOTH, a national, annual two-day event in Washington, D.C. where we meet with our elected federal representatives to discuss key issues of importance to Michigan philanthropy.

Foundations In Lansing provided an opportunity for CMF members to connect with members of the Michigan Legislature and learn about their legislative priorities.

“Working with our state and federal legislators is imperative to make where we live, work and play the best they can be. Together with public and private ideas and funding we can have a positive impact for all,” Sara Morley LaCroix, trustee of Morley Family Foundation and CMF trustee said.

Dennis Fliehman, president and CEO of Capitol Region Community Foundation shared the importance of deepening relationships with our state policymakers to promote trust-building. 

“We want policymakers to use us as a valued resource when it comes to addressing the needs of the communities we serve, and to enact legislation that we know will benefit those communities,” Fliehman said. 

CMF members led conversations with our state policymakers focused on several key points: 

•    Philanthropy is a thought partner, community convener and capacity builder to help create transformational change in Michigan communities. 

•    Philanthropy can be a source of expertise and partnership in areas like education, health care and economic prosperity.

•    Philanthropy, and the charitable sector in general, is a vital, diverse part of Michigan’s economy as employers, funders and their abilities to bring people together. 

•    As a critical partner, it is essential that policy strengthens the tools and resources available to philanthropy and empowers and encourages all citizens to contribute their time, talent and treasure.

Monica Schuyler, executive director for Pennies From Heaven Foundation, shared more about the value of engaging with state lawmakers. 

“In my role working as a place-based foundation, I have a level of awareness about the community that we serve, and that includes the positive and negative impacts that policy can have on those it is intended to serve. I strongly believe that a part of my role for the community that I serve is helping to represent and advocate for our community,” Schuyler said. 

Amina Iqbal, senior community investment officer at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) participated in a meeting with Representative Donna Lasinski.

“It is important for philanthropic institutions, especially community foundations, to engage with elected officials to share our learnings of what we are actively listening to in the community, so we can take action and support policies for a more equitable future for all,” Iqbal said.  

The conversations with policymakers were designed to highlight three specific lanes of partnership:

•    Matters of economic prosperity and education highlighting the ways that philanthropy effectively engages in these spaces. 

•    Constituent connection opportunities, recognizing the ways philanthropy serves as a convener in communities and how foundations can serve as an on the ground resource for policymakers to hear about emerging issues in their district.

•    Issues that affect the health of the charitable sector, especially legislation providing tax credits for donations to community foundation endowments. We want policymakers to include us in the conversations about changes that can affect philanthropy. 

CMF members heard from policymakers on the issues they care about the most and where they might see opportunities to work in collaboration with philanthropy. 

“Policymakers are designed to represent the communities that they serve. It is critical to build relationships with policymakers to support them in doing just that. It is the relationship that helps us communicate effectively to collaborate and partner regardless of different backgrounds, experiences, or political affiliations,” Schuyler said. 

CMF’s Government Relations Public Policy team continues to create and strengthen opportunities to champion the policy leadership of CMF members. If you have any questions about policy or advocacy engagement or are looking for connections with policymakers, we invite you to connect with the GRPP team.

Want more?

Save the date for Foundations on the Hill, taking place March 20-23, 2022.