2025 Indiana Foundations on the Hill

Content

About

May 20-22

Washington, D.C.

Create visibility for philanthropy and issues you care about on Capitol Hill

IPA's Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) delegation will meet with our federal lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to discuss policies that matter most to our sector. Led by policy committee members and staff, attendees advocate on behalf of the philanthropic sector and educate lawmakers about the importance of philanthropy and the considerable impact it has on their districts and constituencies.

This event offers a chance for IPA members to come together and speak with a unified voice to policymakers about the vital role of charitable giving. We encourage all to join, including first-timers!

Foundations on the Hill:

Educate Congress about philanthropy and build visibility for our organizations and network
Advocate for a strong charitable sector and vibrant communities
Strengthen foundations' role as resources to lawmakers on key public policy issues
Build relationships with peers across the sector

How It Works

Prior to FOTH, IPA will schedule meetings with your member of the Indiana federal delegation. During IPA FOTH, our staff and other IPA members will join you in these meetings.

Maddison Miller, IPA's FOTH delegation lead, will ensure you are fully prepared for these meetings and aware of all scheduling updates (calendar invitations sent to all registrants). You will be given policy priorities and topics of interest to discuss. You will also be invited to a pre-FOTH prep call for additional guidance.

Hotel accommodations are coming soon.

Who Should Attend

FOTH is intended for anyone serving as a staff or board member for any type of foundation or other philanthropic organization, including but not limited to public foundations, private foundations, and corporate giving programs. No prior legislative advocacy experience is necessary; IPA staff provide training and support to our delegates before and throughout the event.

Please check this page for updates about FOTH 2024. For questions about FOTH  and joining the IPA delegation, please contact Maddison Miller at mmiller@inphilanthropy.org.

Why Attend?

Your Attendance Has Impact

Regardless of your experience in policy work or participating in legislative visits, we invite and encourage all members to join. When polled by the Congressional Management Foundation, congressional staffers consistently indicated that direct constituent interactions have the highest influence on lawmakers’ decisions—more than any other advocacy strategies.

By joining IPA FOTH, your members of Congress better understand the impact of the work you do in Indiana and the policies necessary to ensure you can effectively carry out your missions. Building relationships with members of Congress and their staff is critical to influencing policymakers on issues that matter most and gaining their support for the philanthropic sector.

Member Feedback

"I think everyone should consider a FOTH experience at least once. It is a chance to be part of the democratic experience and to really appreciate the process from our legislators perspective. As nonprofits, we need to understand the special space we occupy as a tax exempt entity—tax law is what defines our professional space—and Congress can narrow it, making our jobs harder, or broaden it, giving us more freedom to serve our constituencies. We need to make sure they understand the implications of each vote."
TRACY SOUZA | Heritage Fund–The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

"I came away understanding more about how the political sausage is made and how to better make our case with legislators on the state and federal level when my community’s issues need legislative solutions to complex problems. I was also able to talk to a Senator’s staff about an initiative that is important in Kosciusko County—the shortage of child care. I am now connected to the staff person leading child care/education initiatives on behalf of the Senator.
STEPHANIE OVERBEY | Kosciusko County Community Foundation

"After 18+ years in the field, I took this opportunity—and I honestly wish I had done so earlier. There were other first-timers on this trip. But you wouldn't know it because we were prepped and on message for every meeting. Our wonderful IPA staff prepped the group in advance and provided us with information that was the envy of other groups attending FOTH."
LIZ TATE | Retired Grantmaker

"FOTH is our opportunity to bring impactful stories of success to the forefront to ensure policies remain aligned with funding, and to provide sound recommendations on those that do not. I would encourage all foundation leaders to participate, to strengthen our collective voice around issues that affect us and the nonprofits we support."
RACHEL GOODSPEED | CareSource Foundation

Registration

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 to Thursday, May 22, 2025

Location:

Washington, D.C.

Agenda

More details to come

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