Public policy shapes the very issues funders care about—education, healthcare, economic development, and beyond. Yet many funders hesitate to engage, unsure of their role or the impact they can have. The truth? Policymakers see philanthropy as a valuable partner. Funders bring deep community knowledge, flexible resources, and innovative solutions that can inform better policies. Even... Read More
Advocacy is all about promoting a cause or idea to lawmakers, the media, and the public. It can be as simple as saying, “Poverty is bad,” to get people thinking about the issue. Advocacy takes many forms—public education, media campaigns, legal actions, and even voter registration. A lot of people confuse advocacy with lobbying. However,... 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 offers a powerful opportunity to act on that commitment. Yet women’s and girls’ organizations still receive only about 2% of U.S. charitable giving, according to the Women’s Philanthropy Institute’s Women & Girls Index. Even less funding is directed... 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
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