Civic Engagement & Public Policy

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Civic Engagement & Public Policy

Philanthropy Institute: Skills for Emerging Practitioners (Summer 2017)

July 31, 2017 to August 1, 2017
9:00am to 5:00pm
PDT
Seattle

This comprehensive, two-day educational program was developed by experts in the philanthropic sector, and facilitated by seasoned practitioners. Philanthropy Institute: Practical Skills & Strategies for Emerging Practitioners (formerly known as Best Practices): is the field’s standardized orientation for individual members who have recently joined the philanthropic sector. The curriculum is designed to provide a historical overview of the sector, a sense of the philanthropic landscape in the Pacific Northwest and Nationally, and an overview of foundation governance and grantmaking. Please register early: the last four workshops have sold out. 

Northwest States Face Major Cuts Under Trump’s Proposed Budget 

July 2017 |

Philanthropy Northwest recently hosted a policy briefing on President Trump’s proposed 2018 budget and its implications for the Northwest. Michael Leachman, the Director of State Fiscal Research at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, said Northwest states will be particularly impacted by cuts to three areas: Medicaid, SNAP (also known as food stamps), and other federal aid to programs and services that help produce clean water, affordable housing, nutrition for newborns born into poor families, and infectious disease protections, among others. Trump’s budget would also eliminate the Low Income Housing Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income seniors and others pay their home energy bills. This webinar is the first in a series as the budget process rolls out in the House and Senate, so stay tuned for future opportunities to engage. 

Help Keep Partisan Politics Out of Philanthropy

April 2017 |

Nonpartisanship is a cornerstone principle that has strengthened the public’s trust of the charitable and philanthropic community. At its March 2017 meeting, Philanthropy Northwest's board signed onto a statement urging national policymakers to protect the Johnson Amendment, the law prohibiting 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from endorsing, opposing or contributing to political candidates and engaging in partisan campaign activities. During our Foundations on the Hill meetings in Washington, D.C. last week, our delegation and other philanthropy networks from across the country urged our U.S. senators and representatives to maintain this important legal protection. Please consider adding your organization’s name to the growing list of more than 2,300 foundations and nonprofits that have signed a Community Letter in Support of Nonpartisanship. Philanthropy Northwest members that have already signed on include 501 Commons, Bullitt Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Cedarmere Foundation, The Foraker Group, Ford Foundation, Forest and Sequoia Foundatinos, Foundation for Healthy Generations, Idaho Nonprofit Center, Montana Community Foundation, Montana Nonprofit Association, Nonprofit Association of Oregon, Northwest Area Foundation, NW Children’s Fund, Orcas Island Community Foundation, Pride Foundation, Red Lodge Area Community Foundation, Satterberg Foundation, Seattle Foundation, Sherwood Trust, Skagit Community Foundation, Washington Nonprofits, Whatcom Community Foundation, Wyoming Nonprofit Network and Peg and Rick Young Foundation.

Bipartisan Foundations on the Hill: A Sense of Hope

March 2017 |

Perhaps because I'm a New Yorker, Greek American and recovering journalist, I'm often struck by Northwest philanthropy's tendency to avoid conflict. Sure, it's nice when we can all agree before a decision must be made, but realistically? In any large group of stakeholders with competing priorities, it's rarely going to happen. Given my quasi-misanthropic perspective and our country's toxic political climate these days, however, I found myself pleasantly surprised by some common ground in our nation's capital during Foundations on the Hill. Over the course of our three days in Washington, D.C. — walking more than 44,000 steps, according to Fitbit — our delegation of leaders from 12 Northwest foundations talked with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA), Sen. John Tester (D-MT), Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and met with legislative aides to several other lawmakers and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Keeping Politics Out of Philanthropy

March 2017 |

At its March 2017 meeting, Philanthropy Northwest's board agreed to sign onto a statement urging national policymakers to protect the Johnson Amendment, the law prohibiting 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from endorsing, opposing or contributing to political candidates and engaging in partisan campaign activities. According to the Council on Foundations, if the Johnson Amendment were repealed, 501(c)(3) organizations could become entities that are given tax-deductible donations for the purpose of participating in the electoral process, and donors would be completely shielded from disclosure — hindering transparency, a core Philanthropy Northwest value. Other signatories to the letter, drafted by the Forum of Regional Association of Grantmakers, include the Arizona Grantmakers Forum, Council of Michigan Foundations, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and Minnesota Council on Foundations. This position will be discussed further among Philanthropy Northwest's participants and other Forum delegations at Foundations on the Hill, March 20-22 in Washington, D.C.

Protecting Marginalized Communities During the Next Four Years

February 17, 2017
1:00pm to 4:00pm
PST
Seattle, WA

Please join us for this urgent conversation about protecting marginalized communities over the next four years. We are inviting nonprofits, funders, community leader and governmental offices to an urgent meeting featuring organizations at the forefront to discuss their work, what they need to be effective and how all of us can help.

Perspectives on Sanctuary Policies - Monthly Immigration Policy Call hosted by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR)

February 16, 2017
1:00pm to 2:00pm
PST
Online

Sanctuary policies have garnered heightened media attention since the president signed an executive order on January 25 to withhold federal funding from cities that adopt such policies.  Join us for a discussion hosted by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) in partnership with Philanthropy Northwest.