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Winter 2007
Power in Policy:
A Funder's Guide to Advocacy and Civic Participation
A new book on advocacy and civic participation, edited by local author David Arons, is by foundation practitioners for foundation practitioners. Published by Fieldstone Alliance, co-sponsored by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, the book makes a strong case for why funders should be involved in the public policy arena and offers anecdotal examples of foundations using policy, advocacy and civic participation activities to further their missions. The book has a foreword by Hodding Carter III and an introductory chapter by Emmett D. Carson. For more information, visit
fieldstonealliance.org. Giving Forum asked David Arons some questions about his new book.
GF: Why did you write Power in Policy?
Arons: I was offered the opportunity to play a lead role in creating Power in Policy by Fieldstone Alliance, and I eagerly accepted because it was a natural extension of my previous work with the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest, which encourages the advocacy role of nonprofits and foundations alike. The publisher and myself as the editor agreed to do an edited book as a way of engaging foundation leaders as the champions of advocacy and as teachers of how public policy can be part of mission-driven philanthropy.
GF: Where did the idea for the book come from?
Arons: Over the last few years, Fieldstone Alliance (formerly Amherst H. Wilder Foundation Publishing Center) has produced — in collaboration with Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) — a series of funder guides on various topics. They also published two books on nonprofit advocacy written by Marcia Avner, public policy director for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. A guidebook for foundations on the topic of advocacy and public policy seemed like a natural next step. In particular, the publisher wanted to be sure that the work it had done to help nonprofits better understand the role of advocacy in accomplishing their missions was extended to grantmakers. They wanted grantmakers to be better prepared to support grantees that chose to have a role in shaping public policy.
GF: What was the most surprising thing you learned?
Arons: Far and away the most surprising thing was how many foundations (both private and community foundations) are actively engaged in shaping public policy or strengthening civic engagement of people in some way. I was amazed at the wide variety of ways foundations get involved through grantmaking and as institutional players. I was also quite honored by the fact that the chapter authors and contributing writers — all of whom are leaders in the foundation world — took the time and care to explain why they engage in advocacy, why other foundations should do the same and how they serve their mission through public policy participation.
GF: Who should read this book?
Arons: The book is primarily for foundation staff and trustees, nonprofit executives, consultants to these organizations, policymakers, and anyone who is in a position to help foundations serve their mission. Foundations that are new to public policy and advocacy may be especially helped by the "how-to" materials about developing public policy capacity, the law and evaluation. They'll learn from the stories of other foundations about various positions relative to public policy — from highly active to quiet support. All readers will be presented with interesting and provocative viewpoints on foundation roles in public policy.
More
Information from the
Winter 2007 Edition of Giving Forum
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Thank you to the sponsor of this issue of Giving Forum:
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| $1,000 Supporter |
The Minneapolis Foundation
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© Copyright 2007 Minnesota Council on
Foundations
Reproduction in any form without the written permission of the publisher
is prohibited.
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