Public Policy & Government Relations

MCF has been involved in government relations since its inception in 1969. Read about the six principles that have guided our work for over 40 years.

Grantmakers of all types engage in public policy as a leadership strategy to advance their missions in ways that are more far-reaching and enduring than grantmaking alone. This is particularly true in Minnesota where grantmakers use philanthropic tools to pursue a broad spectrum of public policy and systems-change work addressing difficult community issues.

Overview of MCF's Government Relations Work

MCF actively reaches out to Minnesota’s elected officials and other policy makers to seek support for measures that benefit the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

For example, MCF is currently supporting a new legislative initiative called Endow Minnesota, which would create a tax credit to spark increased giving to community foundation endowments. To learn more about other measures on which MCF is active, see MCF's 2013 Advocacy Agenda.

Why is Public Policy Important for Grantmakers?

• Why Supporting Public Policy Makes Sense for Foundations
  The Atlantic Philanthropies

Resources to Get You Started

• Advocacy & Public Policy: What Every Grantmaker Should Know
  Minnesota Council on Foundations
  This resource can help foundations understand legal requirements related to advocacy.
• Advocacy Toolkit
  Council on Foundations
  This section of COF's site features a toolkit and more.
• Foundation Practices for Public Policy Engagement (PDF)
  The Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy
• Foundations and Public Policy Grantmaking (PDF)
  The James Irvine Foundation
• MCF Program Resources
  Available exclusively to MCF members, see the resources from past public policy programs MCF has held.

Opportunities to Get Involved with Public Policy

• Attend Foundations on the Hill
  Learn about this annual opportunity for grantmakers to meet federal lawmakers. For information, contact Bill King.

• Support Endow Minnesota
  Find out more about this new legislative initiative to foster increased giving to community foundation endowments.

Websites to Track Legislation

• Minnesota Legislation
  Use this section of the North Star site to track the status of state House and Senate bills.
• Federal Legislation
  Track U.S. bills, search by bill number or keyword, link to congressional directories and more.
• Minnesota Budget Project
  Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
  This site encourages active, effective and timely participation in Minnesota's public policy debate.

More Public Policy Resources

Staff Contact
Bob Tracy, director of government relations and public policy

Is your foundation considering public policy or government relations as strategies to ensure funding impact? Bob Tracy can answer questions and connect you with other grantmakers doing similar work. Contact Bob.

Photo Minnesota State Capitol, CC manyhighways