Presenting Sponsor Building an Effective Policy Program for Your PSO 2018 PolicyWorks Institute March 11, 2018 Liaison Capitol Hill, Washington DC www.unitedphil forum .org
Agenda Welcome & Introductions Lessons Learned: Building Up a PSOs’ Policy Program David Biemesderfer What the Data Shows: Building a PSO Policy Program Dawn Roberts Critical Success Factors for a PSO Policy Program Erin Skene- Pratt Peer Consults www.unitedphil forum .org
Lessons Learned From Florida: Building Up a PSOs’ Policy Program David Biemesderfer www.unitedphil forum .org
Florida Philanthropic Network’s Policy Evolution 2009 FPN becomes Regional Association Organizes FOTH delegation Forms Public Policy Committee Initial focus on federal tax policy www.unitedphil forum .org
Florida Philanthropic Network’s Policy Evolution 2010 First affinity group forms, focused on education, soon decides on policy focus Education Affinity Group releases white paper & education policy briefs – first FPN policy effort focused on a funding issue www.unitedphil forum .org
Florida Philanthropic Network’s Policy Evolution EAG’s Work Leads to Great Visibility for FPN 2012: FPN starts developing stronger relationship with FL Department of Education 2013: FPN CEO speaks to FL Board of Education – a first FPN now “at the table” for education policy in ways it never was before www.unitedphil forum .org
Florida Philanthropic Network’s Policy Evolution 2013 FPN Board approves position in support of Common Core State Standards First time FPN takes policy position on a funding issue Deep board discussion: “We can’t always be Switzerland or we risk becoming irrelevant” www.unitedphil forum .org
Florida Philanthropic Network’s Policy Evolution 2012 Health funders affinity group forms Publishes issue briefs on key health policy Holds health policy briefings in Tallahassee www.unitedphil forum .org
Florida Philanthropic Network’s Policy Evolution 2015 Health funders affinity group issues statement related to Medicaid expansion 2 new affinity groups form, focused on homelessness and women & girls www.unitedphil forum .org
PSO Public Policy Engagement Continuum Learning Up Serve as Trusted Source Strategic Relationships with Individual Collaborative Lobbying Together on of Credible, Independent Policymaker & Policy Funder Advocacy Policy Issues Information on Policy Influencer Advocacy Issues Convenings Research Briefings Briefings Policy Advocacy Position Papers Public Testimony Materials Webinars Public Outreach to Issue Briefs Webinars Convenings Convenings Statements Policymakers Newsletters White Papers State Policy Task Forces & Committees Joint Letters Outreach to Policymakers Statewide Collaborations Bill Monitoring Bill Monitoring www.unitedphil forum .org
Lessons Learned Start slow Member support is vital – “pull” doesn’t work Member leadership is vital Issue-focused policy can help build general policy work Money matters www.unitedphil forum .org
What the Data Shows: Building a PSO Policy Program Dawn Roberts www.unitedphil forum .org
Highlights from the Annual Survey on Policy Work
The Annual Survey on Policy Work at Regional PSOs 20 PSOs participate Project becomes a formal through formal MOU initiative of the Forum 2009 2012 (n=31) (n=27) 2017 2011 2014 2015 2013 2016 2010 (n=32) (n=20) (n=28) (n=29) (n=29) (n=31) (n=20) Baseline survey conducted PolicyWorks during PolicyWorks for community open to Philanthropy planning year additional members www.unitedphil forum .org
Notable Changes Since 2009 84 Allocated staff time to policy work 45 Facilitated relationship building between 87 43 members and local/state policymakers Provided resources and tools to help 71 35 members engage policymakers Provided briefings to policymakers about 68 21 public policy issues 0 20 40 60 80 100 Percentage of PSOs 2017 (n=32) 2009 (n=31) www.unitedphil forum .org
Changes in Staffing and Budgeting for Policy Work Adequate budget to support the achievement of policy work objectives Staff have the right mix of skills and expertise Allocation of staff time is adequate to achieve policy work objectives 60 56 54 54 50 Percentage of PSOs 44 45 41 40 32 29 29 35 30 21 26 20 25 23 10 14 0 2013 (n=29) 2014 (n=29) 2015 (n=28) 2016 (n=32) 2017 (n=32) www.unitedphil forum .org
Changes in Communication Practices Strategic communications plan created to advance legislative agenda and/or policy reforms Communications/outreach plan to build member engagement in policy work Educating the public and the media regarding policy issues of interest to members 70 55 60 Percentage of PSOs 58 50 39 43 40 41 36 28 30 24 32 28 26 20 21 14 18 10 13 0 2013 (n=29) 2014 (n=29) 2015 (n=28) 2016 (n=32) 2017 (n=32) www.unitedphil forum .org
Collaboration for Policy Reform at the State and Local Levels Working systematically with the local/regional nonprofit community to impact policy Participating in regional/state coalitions to change public policy 60 50 47 52 50 48 41 Percentage of PSOs 48 40 41 31 39 30 28 20 10 0 2013 (n=29) 2014 (n=29) 2015 (n=28) 2016 (n=32) 2017 (n=31) www.unitedphil forum .org
Most Common Infrastructure for Policy Work in 2017 Members provide leadership and expertise to 63 achieve policy work objectives Board policy for whether/how PSO takes a policy 59 position Member affinity groups focused on policy 58 reforms Staff has right mix of skills and expertise 56 Formal body with clear lines of authority for 56 planning policy work activities Board has formally agreed on policy work 53 objectives 0 20 40 60 80 Percentage of PSOs (n=32) www.unitedphil forum .org
Most Common Member Services in 2017 Facilitating relationship building between members 87 and local and/or state policymakers Educating members about their legal rights and 77 responsibilities related to advocacy Providing resources and tools to help members 71 engage policymakers Offering education about legislative or regulatory 71 issues affecting the work of charitable foundations Supporting members in promoting policy reforms 68 on specific grantmaking issues 0 20 40 60 80 100 Percentage of PSOs (n=31) www.unitedphil forum .org
Most Common External Relations in 2017 Initiated communication or meeting with 78 policymaker to influence policy objective Collaborating regularly with the local/regional 74 nonprofit community on educational activities Providing educational briefings for policymakers 68 about public policy issues Contacted by policymakers or the media regarding 66 the protection of the philanthropic sector Working systematically with the local/regional 52 nonprofit community to impact policy 0 20 40 60 80 100 Percentage of PSOs (n=31) www.unitedphil forum .org
Most Commonly Reported Changes in 2017 Improved understanding of current trends related 57 23 3 to policy issues Increased flow of information on policy to 47 30 17 members Conducted education about how/why grantmakers 45 23 3 should help to ensure accurate census count Improved legislative monitoring 40 20 7 0 20 40 60 80 100 Forum directly supported change (critical role) Forum indirectly supported change (limited role) Percentage of PSOs (n=31) Forum had no role related to this change www.unitedphil forum .org
Tips for Building an Effective Policy Program Define realistic objectives for policy engagement ̶ Build awareness and commitment of your members and board ̶ Articulate goal(s) and objectives as part of strategic planning process Plan systems and processes for achieving policy objectives ₋ Staff time ₋ Authority for planning ₋ Strategic ₋ Dedicated budget and decision-making communications ₋ Board policy on PSO taking ₋ Member outreach ₋ Evaluation position on policy issue ₋ Partnerships/alliances Participate in the Network ̶ Use resources and activities provided by the Forum ̶ Interact with other PSOs to share resources and collaborate on activities www.unitedphil forum .org
Critical Success Factors for a PSO Policy Program Erin Skene-Pratt www.unitedphil forum .org
Taking the Road Often Traveled Catalyzing Raising Awareness Action Building Skills & Systems www.unitedphil forum .org
Raising Awareness/Building Support Thinking about support Thinking about members Thinking about strategies Thinking about messages
Building Skills & Systems Roadmap: Board policy Public policy committee Position statements Job descriptions Policy action plan
Catalyzing Action
Catalyzing Action
Peer Consults Facilitated by Erin Skene-Pratt www.unitedphil forum .org
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