Blog

Topic: “Advocacy”

When Advocacy Looks More Like Partnership: Inside the Work of a Successful Funders Coalition

November 11, 2021 Andy Carroll / Advocacy

When we strip away the messaging and maneuvering in politics, it’s clear that governments and foundations across the country often seek common goals. Among these are: Strengthening education and vocational training Increasing access to childcare and healthcare Creating jobs and new businesses Safeguarding the environment Unfortunately, government and foundations tend to operate in silos. They... Read More

How Lean Funders Can Support Refugees and Displaced People

November 9, 2021 Suzanne Barakat, MD / Advocacy, Equity, Leadership

Several years ago, I was honored to give the opening plenary, From Biases to Strengths, for Exponent Philanthropy’s 2018 National Conference. I stood before you and said, “When we raise our collective voices and make courageous use of resources—that is when we stop the hate. That is when we advance our communities. And that is,... Read More

Pivoting to Advocacy and Organizing: Changing Grantmaking Tactics in Service of Our Core Mission

July 13, 2021 Jennie Riley / Advocacy

“This has been the most pivotal grant to our organization since I got here. It has enabled us to be in a space that we weren’t in before.” I heard this recently from our first advocacy grant partner, Health Care For All Massachusetts (HCFA). It highlights how a risk the Rx Foundation took in 2019... Read More

Why Our Foundation Created Oklahoma’s First Legislative Caucus on Early Childhood

June 10, 2021 Craig Knutson / Advocacy, Grantmaking, Leadership

In 2016, the Potts Family Foundation created a statewide collaborative called the Oklahoma Early Childhood Initiative, later dubbed OK25by25. Our stated goal is to move Oklahoma into the top 25 of all states by 2025 in key early childhood metrics. Our key demographic is families with children, pre-birth to five. Through listening sessions with key... Read More

My Family’s Foundation Entered the Policy Arena, and We Are Not Looking Back

February 8, 2021 Katherine Wright / Advocacy, Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy

The system needs to change. Like many family foundations, The Wright Family Foundation in Texas receives several worthy requests that we turn down due to lack of funds. Most of our grants are program or project based—reacting to the problems at hand rather than tackling them before they become an issue. Considering this, the foundation... Read More