The Skillman Foundation

Angelique Power shared the stage with Monica Moser, president & CEO of the Jackson Community Foundation, at the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) Annual Conference this October to discuss why and how philanthropy can engage in policy advocacy. The session explored ways foundations can contribute time, talent, and treasure to policy advocacy efforts.

While there are different rules and limitations for the various types of foundations, ‘can do’ examples for how all foundations can support policy advocacy include:

• Fund research, data, and analysis
• Act as conveners and learning partners
• Fund storytelling, messaging, and narrative
• Share organizational policies around policy advocacy limitations

Why should foundations consider this?

“Our roles as conveners and storytellers are extremely important in determining policy,” said Moser.

Power noted, “A big part of this work for foundations is just explaining the importance [of a proposed policy].”

The participants discussed the importance of partnering with community to advance positive narratives, focusing on the old adage “nothing for us, without us.”

“The strongest way to work on policy is in coalition,” said Power. This is the key to creating more equitable and effective policies, she said. “With policy in action, each step is like a new clue to solving the mystery of equity.” 

The overall takeaways of this session were that there is a lot to be done and plenty of room to explore, but foundations must be diligent in seeking legal council, sourcing relevant data, and documenting everything.

Nathan Murphy, senior policy, practice, and government relations coordinator of CMF, stated, “There must first be a switch from ‘can we do this’ to ‘how can we do this’.”

As a private foundation, The Skillman Foundation does not fund elected officials, government appointees, or partisan organizations, nor does it support active legislative proposals or political candidates. It does, however, support activities on the above “can do” list, helping to elevate Detroiters’ perspectives in education policy conversations.

To learn more about how foundations can support policy advocacy efforts, the Council on Foundations offers useful resources.