This series is a set of perennial programs at Philanthropy New York that helps funders navigate the legal, strategic, and governance activity necessary to incorporate advocacy and amplify your work. It is a part of our PNY Core, offered every 18-24 months and as needed.
Philanthropic organizations – whether private foundations, community foundations, public charities, corporate foundations or family foundations – have considerable legal rights to exercise their voice in public policy discussions, but there are limitations. Today, when the imperative to speak out seems more intense than ever, every staff member at every level should consider investing in a refresher on the limits – and the considerable breadth – foundations have to engage in public debate.
Even if your foundation makes the legitimate choice to remain silent on policy concerns, it is important for every person in your organization to know your rights and your limitations. Those boundaries are complicated, in part because there are significant differences between federal laws and New York State and City laws that could necessitate burdensome reporting requirements.
Take a look at the June 2020 PNY Core: Policy Core Series:
- Advocacy 101: Legal Boundaries and Opportunities
- Building Powerful Advocacy Movements: Crisis and Opportunity
- Exploring Your Foundation’s Role in Advocacy: From Board to Boots on the Ground
Other past offerings include (click below for past descriptions):
- Using Advocacy to Support Mission: What Your Foundation Can and Can’t Do, Can and Can’t Fund
- Policy Core: Legal Boundaries and Opportunities
- Policy Core: Implementation and Administrative Advocacy
- Policy Core: State-Level Campaigns
- Policy Core: Engaging Foundation Leaders and Board Members
- Advocacy: A Compass for Today's Terrain
For any questions, comments, and/or recommendations, please contact Kathryn O'Neal-Dunham, Chief Executive Officer.