Seyron Foo, Philanthropy California February 25, 2019 VEEP, HOUSE OF CARDS, OR THE WEST WING? Advocacy, Public Policy, and Transformation in the Civic Landscape
Objectives Warm- Up: Who’s Here? Systems Change Public Policy What is…? Advocacy Overview Lobbying Where do funders fit in? Case Studies Questions
Objectives 01 02 03 GRANTMAKER : Learn GRANTMAKING : BIG PICTURE : the opportunities for Provide an overview Understand that funders to engage in of the rules related to funders change the systems change, funding advocacy. civic landscape, even if public policy, and we don’t fund advocacy. advocacy.
Warm- Up: Who’s Here? Does your foundation Does your foundation Does your foundation Does your foundation engage in public fund advocacy? fund research? provide unrestricted policy? operating grants?
What is systems change?
Source: The Water of Systems Change, FSG
What is public policy?
Amoebic by Nature • Collection of actions and rules set forth by the government to promote social goals. • Actions of government. • Response to issues brought before decision makers, coming in the form of laws and regulations. • Created by any governing body.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy • “Advocacy activities can include conducting policy research, meeting with reporters, educating the public, lobbying a legislator, meeting with a government regulator, filing a lawsuit, or mobilizing voters.” from: Philanthropy Advocacy Playbook
What is lobbying?
Lobbying Lobbying is an attempt to influence specific legislation by communicating views to legislators or asking people to contact their legislators. Lobbying is a type of advocacy.
Where do we fit in?
What can we do? Corporation Private Public 501(c)(3) (including LLCs) Foundation Foundation Nonprofit Advocacy (Non-Lobbying) Lobbying Support/Oppose Candidates
Types of Public Policy Work • Direct Involvement: • Engaged in public policy and/or advocacy. • Engaged in direct or grassroots lobbying activities.
Types of Public Policy Work • Grantee Involvement: • Organization funds grantee for public policy and/or advocacy. • Organization funds grantee with unrestricted operating grants, and grantee uses it for lobbying.
The Macy Olivas Foundation instructs its 25 grantees to write to Rep. Selene Preciado to urge full funding for Census 2020.
The Stephanie Cook Foundation, a public foundation, provides a $25,000 grant to Children Now to lobby for additional funding for health services to children.
The Lenise Andrade Foundation, a private foundation, provides a $50,000 unrestricted operating grant to the Dance Institute of San Diego. The Dance Institute uses part of the grant to contact Rep. Alvin Ailey to oppose the budget bill that eliminates funding for arts programs.
The Jennifer Love Bruce Foundation, a private foundation, funds a study that looks at the affect of arts education on the achievement gap. The research finds that students who had arts classes at school scored 100 points better on the SAT. Jefferson Smith is the President and CEO of the Rose Foundation. Mr. Smith goes to Washington to share this research with Senators Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart.
• Case Studies: • Emergency Foster Care Grants Philanthropy in • Women’s Policy Institute Public Policy • Foundations on the Hill • Proposition HHH and Measure H
Together, we can! Foundations have a wide berth to engage in public policy and advocacy. Bolder Advocacy, an initiative of Alliance for Justice
Rules, Rules, Rules Federal State and Local Governs your activities – are they Governs disclosure – do you have tax-exempt? to let people know?
California Reporting Requirements What activities Direct and grassroots lobbying in the state Legislature and with require the Executive Branch (administrative advocacy) reporting? Direct lobbying : A communication with a state legislative or administrative official for the primary purpose of influencing a state-level legislative or administrative action. Definition Grassroots lobbying : Soliciting or urging members of the public to enter into direct communication with a state legislative or administrative official for the primary purpose of influencing a legislative or administrative action.
When do you have to report? Employing an In- Hiring a Lobbyist or $5,000 Filer House Lobbyist Lobbying Firm Spending $5,000 or Employing an in-house Contracting with an more in a calendar employee who qualifies individual lobbyist or quarter on direct or as a lobbyist. lobbying firm. grassroots lobbying. Source: “California Lobbying Disclosure Thresholds,” Alliance for Justice
Please sir, may I have some more? • 501(c)(3) – tax exempt organization for charitable purposes • 501(c)(4) – tax exempt organization for social welfare purposes • Unlimited lobbying activity • Can engage in political activity (not exceeding 50 percent of their activity) • Contributions are generally not tax-deductible • 527 – political action committee • Primary purpose is to engage in political activity • Contributions not tax-deductible
501(c)(3) A force for good? 527 501(c)(4)
Philanthropy California’s Public Policy Team Objectives of the the Public Policy Team • Coordinate the advocacy strategy of three regional associations. • Build relationships with policymakers. • Advance the policy interest of the philanthropic sector. • Advance our members’ interests in public policy.
Resources SDG and Philanthropy Alliance for Justice, Learn Foundation Law http://learnfoundationlaw.org/ CA’s Public Policy Team Bolder Advocacy Initiatives https://www.bolderadvocacy.org/ Free technical assistance Free refresher webinars on during standard business what we discussed today. hours, ET: 866-NP-LOBBY (866-675-6229) Philanthropy Advocacy Playbook
Public Policy Events • Foundations on the Hill • March 11 – 13, 2019 • Washington, DC • SCG Public Policy Conference • Monday, April 8 • Los Angeles, CA • Philanthropy in the State Capitol • May 21 – 22, 2019 • Sacramento, CA
Questions? Seyron Foo Director, Public Policy and Government Relations Seyron@socalgrantmakers.org (213) 680-8866 ext. 221
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