Advocacy involves promoting a broad idea or cause to lawmakers, media, and the public. For example, saying “Poverty is bad” is a form of advocacy. It includes activities like public education, media campaigns, regulatory efforts, legal actions, lobbying, and voter registration. While many think advocacy and lobbying are the same, they are not. Lobbying is... Read More
For far too long, foundations and philanthropists have stayed out of policy debates. Consequently, many nonprofits supported by these foundations have avoided political involvement to avoid upsetting their donors. However, this silence comes at a cost. Advocacy and Lobbying by Private Foundations Funders can support and participate in advocacy and encourage their grantees to do... Read More
For society to advance gender equity, intersectional feminism must become part of the mainstream narrative and mindset. Philanthropy is our opportunity to be change agents, so that this statistic increases: Just 1.9% of philanthropic dollars go toward women and girls, according to the “The Women and Girls Index: Measuring Giving to Women and Girls” from the... Read More
Policymakers are always at work, making it crucial for foundations to engage with them. By being present, foundations ensure that their concerns are heard. However, many foundations and trustees avoid meeting with elected officials, even though policymakers are eager to hear from them. This blog provides insights on how foundations can effectively participate in the... Read More
Leanly staffed family foundations can punch well above their weight, working with other funders and grantees to change systems. Over the past eight years, the Thornburg Foundation has experienced this firsthand. Given the depth of the challenges facing the state of New Mexico, systemic change is particularly important to our board chair and founder, Garrett... Read More
Advocacy is a long game, and it can be messy at times. However, when combined with grantmaking, advocacy is a powerful tool to advance system change, strengthen relationships with your grantee partners, and enhance learning and understanding around the issues your foundation supports. Helping your board understand the broader concept of advocacy will help shift... Read More