David Biemesderfer, Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers

In January, I took on a new role as president and CEO of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. The Forum is the largest network serving philanthropy in America, consisting of 33 regional philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) — including Philanthropy Northwest — representing more than 5,500 foundations, corporate giving programs and partners. Among our many roles, the Forum works with our regional members to advance the greater good, capitalizing on our strong connections with state and local policymakers and influencers all across the country. We leverage philanthropy's voice, bringing both deep regional roots and a broad national reach to the table.

In a recent blog post, Philanthropy Northwest’s Ann Saxton wrote that philanthropy has “the gift of being able to fully express our values to an extent that the public and private sectors cannot,” but that it often “dangerously underspends” in using its strong brand and influence to advocate for its mission. I certainly concur that philanthropy needs to maximize the use of its unique and powerful voice to advance the greater good. It’s not always easy to determine the best course of action in raising our sector's voice to seek change — but organizations like Philanthropy Northwest are helping make it happen.

Moving the Needle

Philanthropy Northwest and other Forum members are working to advance effective policy that can help strengthen and grow philanthropy in their regions and across our country. A recent example is the successful effort last year to make permanent the IRA charitable rollover, which we had advocated for years. The rollover provision will encourage more charitable contributions to social service providers and other groups that work to strengthen communities and improve people’s lives every day.

Regional PSOs are also succeeding in passing new laws that are helping to grow philanthropy and benefit nonprofits at the state and local level. This year, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance led a successful effort to pass legislation that provides more flexibility in using certain charitable funds to benefit communities. In West Virginia, Philanthropy West Virginia took the lead with the West Virginia Legislature’s recent renewal of the state’s long-time charitable giving incentive (originally started by Philanthropy WV in 1995), which was on the verge of ending.

Some regional PSOs are also using philanthropy’s voice to speak out on issues that their members support, acknowledging that often we can best “move the needle” and get to the root causes on key societal issues not through funding alone but through changes in policies or systems. Several years ago, Philanthropy Ohio saw nine of its 11 policy proposals to improve education adopted into law. More recently, the Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) has taken several bold policy positions aimed at creating a more prosperous, inclusive and equitable state in such areas as democratic processes and civic participation, workforce and disaster preparedness, response and recovery. 

In my previous role as Florida Philanthropic Network president and CEO, many nonprofit leaders let me know how grateful they were to see our state's philanthropic sector starting to speak out on some key education and health policy issues. They told me that they viewed philanthropy’s voice as a unique, independent and powerful one, since we didn’t have a “dog in the fight” and weren’t seeking government dollars. And that voice can make a difference.

With the current budget crises in Illinois and Pennsylvania, Forum members in both states — Forefront in Illinois and Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia (PNGP) and Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania — are using philanthropy’s voice to highlight the devastating impact on the nonprofit sector and communities they serve. A recent op-ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer, co-written by PNGP Executive Director Maari Porter, stated that the budget impasse “is no way to treat our citizens and fails to deliver on one of the most basic functions for which our government exists.” These words alone aren’t likely to end the crisis, but sometimes philanthropy needs to step up and add its voice to what is right — or what is wrong — as a matter of principle.

Foundations on the Hill

Throughout the year, regional PSOs are leading important efforts all around the country to use philanthropy’s voice to promote policies, issues and perspectives that make lives better for real people facing real challenges. But there’s only one time each year when philanthropy’s collective voice comes together in one spot: Foundations on the Hill (#FOTH16) in Washington, D.C., April 12-13 this year. During Foundations on the Hill, delegations of philanthropic leaders from across the country meet with congressional delegations to share how philanthropy is co-investing with government on critical areas of concern in our communities and discuss ways to strengthen our collective efforts. Past Philanthropy Northwest delegates have included The Alaska Community Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Idaho Community Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Montana Community Foundation, Northwest Area Foundation, Medina Foundation and the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation.

In my new role as the Forum’s president and CEO, I look forward to taking full advantage of the skills and talents of our network to strengthen philanthropy across the country. Over the next two years, we will be expanding to include national philanthropy-serving organizations, which will offer many new opportunities to further amplify philanthropy’s voice by leveraging regional and national perspectives. I also look forward to working with Philanthropy Northwest and its members to advocate for your missions and amplify philanthropy’s voice in your six-state region and in our nation's capital — my new home.

David Biemesderfer is president and CEO of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. Follow him and the Forum on Twitter.