A Special Training Series Designed for Philanthropy New York members by the Advocacy Institute
State governments in the United States have a tremendous amount of power, and that power is growing. Understanding state and city power and navigating it successfully, is a key component to enacting progress on everything from health care policy to education reform, and from economic development to justice reform. Now more than ever, nonprofits, grassroots organizations and direct service providers are looking for tools to support concrete policy wins to protect communities and stand up for racial, economic and evnironmental justice. And funders who support those efforts want to understand the operating environment in order to maximize their own resources. Ensuring real impact at the local and state level is critical.
Philanthropy New York strives to bring our members the most up-to-date and in-demand trainings and professional development opportunities. This year, we are pleased to offer a special intensive training on advocacy for funders, developed in partnership with the Advocacy Institute. This training will take place on three consecutive Thursdays, from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, in November:
- Thursday, November 2
- Thursday, November 9
- Thursday, November 16
The three-day training will be followed by additional communications and peer networking after the initial training. This program takes Advocacy Institute’s core two-day training program that goes deep into how legislation is developed and who controls the levers of power in Albany and New York’s City Hall and adds on an additional training module aimed specifically at funders to help them understand (1) their own role in supporting advocacy and (2) the legal parameters that affect funders’ ability to be direct participants in state and local legislative campaigns.
About the Advocacy Institute: The Advocacy Institute (AI) is committed to supporting the legislative advocacy of social justice and movement-building organizations in New York State. AI develops talent, building skills and leadership through trainings around the state, and with its capstone Summer Leadership Course each July. AI clarifies government processes and power relationships through creative visual aids and cutting edge resources like the Legislative Directory (LD), its online community and database with custom campaign tools and over 40,000 data points on local and state officials, and their staff. AI cultivates a collaborative network to learn from and support each other’s work around New York. In addition to its focus on skills, knowledge and strategic capacity, AI aims to be a critical part of a statewide movement for justice and dignity that has more political influence, resources and concrete wins. Across New York, more than 150 organizations have taken part in its trainings, and over 500 organizers and advocates are using its resources to reveal who holds power, who works for them and how they fit within the legislative landscape.
Time commitment: Three full-day sessions in November and additional communications with Advocacy Institute and fellow participants afterward. We recommend that at least two representatives from each organization attend.
Resource commitment: $500 per individual, $800 for two individuals in one funder organization (and $400 for each additional staff member from the same organization).
Intended Outcomes
Upon completing the training and workshops, you will be better able to:
- Ask the right questions of grantees who are engaged in advocacy work
- Understand the timing of legislative cycles and how advocacy campaigns should be structured to achieve long-term goals
- Grow your network of funder connections supporting advocacy work in related fields
Designed for
This training is open to Philanthropy New York members in both operational and grantmaking roles in their organizations. We encourage cross-departmental teams to attend and work as pairs during this process. Greater consideration will be given to pairs or teams who have the influence and oversight to effect some level of change within an organization’s culture or grantmaking portfolio. All participants should commit to all three full-day trainings.
Registration/Expression of Interest
If you or others in your organization are interested in this advocacy training series, we want to hear from you, even if you are unsure who from your organization should attend. Please email Philanthropy New York Senior Vice President for Public Policy & Communications Michael Hamill Remaley to express interest in the training.
Michael will work with your team to ensure that the series is right for you and the appropriate people within your organization. He is happy to answer any questions you might have about the agenda for the three days of training.