An 8-week, action-oriented virtual workshop where you’ll learn how your foundation can drive advocacy on a specific issue.
Are you ready to join other funders in using your foundation’s freedom to support advocacy? Do your grantees believe influencing policy can lead to major positive changes, advance equity, or solve environmental issues? Are you unsure about your role or how to start in advocacy?
This workshop will teach you how to begin and guide you through the start of your advocacy journey.
Experiential Learning, Skills Practice, and Hands-on Work
This program helps lean funders like you use your unique strengths to engage in advocacy. You’ll discover how your foundation can contribute to system changes that benefit your grantees, partners, and community. Through skill-building and hands-on practice, you’ll apply the steps outlined in Exponent Philanthropy’s Advocacy Field Guide for Lean Funders, written by Jason Sabo and Lisa Kerber of Frontera Strategy.
By participating, you will:
- Gain a thorough understanding of the information needed to advance advocacy on any issue.
- Gain practical experience in finding this critical information to enhance your policy expertise.
- Receive coaching from experienced foundation peers in advocacy and leadership.
- Build strong connections with other lean funders, providing support during and after the program.
Because of the experiential nature of this cohort program, we ask participants to sign a Program Commitment when registering.
Schedule
Participants will meet virtually on four Wednesdays over an 8-week period. All modules run from 2:00-4:00 PM ET. Participants will conduct listening interviews between modules #1 and #2; and modules #3 and #4.
September 25
Module #1: Skills Training
**Participants conduct listening interviews between sessions
October 16
Module #2: Identify Policy Action Idea
October 23
Module #3: Landscape Scanning
**Participants conduct listening interviews between sessions
November 20
Module #4: Processing and Planning
Trainer
Jason Sabo
Founder, Frontera Strategy
Jason has led and assisted efforts to pass legislation and secure appropriations at state capitals across the country for more than two decades. Jason knows the issues and politics important to nonprofits and philanthropy, and he knows how to win.
Catalytic Guides
Exponent Philanthropy members with deep experience in issue advocacy will serve as catalytic guides. These extraordinary funders embrace Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy and serve a key role in coaching participants to take action on what they’ve learned.
Registration Fees
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Member Price |
Nonmember Price |
*The registration fee includes an electronic copy (PDF) of Exponent Philanthropy’s Advocacy Field Guide for Lean Funders, which serves as an essential resource and reference throughout the program. The value of the field guide is $35 for Exponent Philanthropy members, and $50 for non-members.
After registering, participants will receive a request to sign this Program Commitment.
Who Should Attend
Small, place-based foundations – including those without staff – are perfectly positioned for this work. Foundation staff, trustees, or donors who want to begin a journey toward issue advocacy should register. Individuals in all roles at lean foundations, including staff, trustees, donors, and family members are encouraged to join the cohort.
Platform and Accessibility
This program uses Zoom; automated closed captioning is available. We can provide additional accommodations upon request (e.g., live captioner, ASL interpreter). Please contact Lauren Kotkin info@exponentphilanthropy.org or call 202-580-6560 by September 10 if you need accommodations.
Recordings are only available to registrants for 30 days after each module date.
Cancellation and Other Policies
Each module of this series requires participants to actively participate in exercises, practice, or discussions with peers. Because of this, we will only accept substitutions before the September 25, 2024 start date. Cancellations before the start of the program on September 25, 2024, are subject to a $75 processing fee. Cancellations on or after September 25, 2024, are non-refundable. Please submit all substitutions and cancellations by e-mail to info@exponentphilanthropy.org or by calling Exponent Philanthropy at 202-580-6560.
By registering for this program, participants are agreeing to the Exponent Philanthropy Participant Guidelines.