Advocating for Communities We Serve
This blog was written by Shannon Walker, vice president at Unity Foundation of La Porte County, to provide an inside look into her Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute class.
The May 2023 Mutz cohort virtual session of “Advocating for the Communities We Serve” set the stage for IPA’s latest Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) delegation and created a lasting impact on those who were able to experience the Washington, D.C. congressional meetings in person.
The first virtual session on “Lobbying & Advocacy” was facilitated by Lauren M. Box, Partner, and Matthew E. Morgan, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg, LLC, IPA's contract lobbying team. Key takeaways from Box and Morgan’s presentation included:
- Advocacy is not always “lobbying.”
- Public charities may engage in “lobbying” so long as it is not a “substantial part” of the activities of the organization.
- Private foundations should stick to advocacy work and avoid lobbying.
- Put an appropriate accounting and compliance system into place to track lobbying activities.
- When talking to legislators about legislation or implying legislation should be passed, you probably need to talk to lawyers and accountants.
Before you start the process of lobbying or advocacy work, Box and Morgan recommend seeking the advice of an attorney. It’s critical not to jeopardize your organization’s tax-exempt status. Also, consider hiring a contract lobbyist. This is the easiest way to track expenditures for purposes of the 501 (h) election. Finally, check your organization's bylaws and internal policies.
The Mutz cohort also spent time examining policies and legislation at a federal level. Jeff Hamond of Van Scoyoc Associates outlined “Federal Charitable Giving and the Tax Policy Landscape.” Hamond’s presentation focused on these key points:
- Recent trends in charitable giving and proposals that could impact both giving and grantmaking, including a tax proposal to increase charitable giving.
- Quick summary of a few legislative issues IPA is engaged in, including proposed regulations around DAFs, chairtable decutions, and “Come Home Scholarships.”
- Growth of donor-advised funds as a huge topic in philanthropy space (and a big challenge facing community foundations).
- Background on the Accelerating Charitable Efforts Act (“ACE Act”), including problems with the approach and how the field has responded. (Because Indiana has one of the highest concentrations of community foundations, IPA is working to make Sen. Young an ally for the field.)
Hamond discussed policy recommendations from the Council on Foundations, which include recommending a 5 percent DAF payout by entity, where DAF-to-DAF transfers wouldn’t count towards the payout and support for Universal Charitable Deduction (expanding the CARES Act).
Stephanie Overbey of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and Regina Bell of the Council of Michigan Foundations facilitated a dynamic virtual discussion on “The Nexus of Government and Philanthropy.” Bell provided insight on how to drive policy development, serve as a trusted, credible voice among stakeholders, and advance philanthropic and economic endeavors for organizations, communities, and states. She reiterated the importance of being responsive and proactive.
Overbey serves on IPA’s Public Policy Committee where she helps IPA represent the collective voice of philanthropy in Indiana to policymakers and supports working with government on issues of shared interest. She also shared IPA’s stance on the key legislative issues IPA is engaged in and provided tips on how to effectively engage legislators.
Both Bell and Overbey recommended providing stories that include qualitative and quantitative data that really resonate around key legislative issues when communicating with legislators. Bell also said to, “Innovate, demonstrate, and create scalable models.”
Overbey told the 2023 Mutz cohort members to build relationships with electeds by inviting them to special events and having one-on-one meetings with them before any public meetings. Overbey explained, “This gives them the opportunity to ask any questions privately first.”
In preparing for IPA’s 2023 Foundations on the Hill, Overbey offered this advice:
- Read IPA’s agenda and FOTH briefing packet thoroughly.
- Gather IPA and local data.
- Be prepared with a strong story, position, ask of the legislator and leave behind materials.
- Be direct, concise, and coordinated with your ask.
- Follow up with the legislator and/or staffer via email or “thank you” note.
- Get on a quarterly cycle of communication with your legislators to build the relationship.
Alexandra Pflug, Fayette Community Foundation and IPA FOTH delegation member said she had no experience with either lobbying or advocacy in the philanthropic realm before the Mutz cohort session.
“I think the elements most impactful to me, particularly because I was attending FOTH for the first time, were the explanations of the differences between advocating and lobbying," said Pflug. "While on the surface they can look quite similar, it's important for us in philanthropy and nonprofits, especially, to be aware of the differences so we are staying above board.”
Pflug found it helpful to hear from so many of those FOTH veterans who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in lobbying and advocacy. It lessened her anxiety and helped ensure a great overall experience.
“My first FOTH experience was truly fantastic," said Pflug." "The experience taught me that not only were we there to advocate for topics that affect our day-to-day work and the role of philanthropy in our communities, but that we also are available as a resource to our representatives if they have questions about philanthropy."
Leeann Wright, Community Foundation of Pulaski County reiterated Pflug’s sentiment that she had little experience with lobbying before the Mutz class. “Essentially, I knew it was important, but had no idea how to begin the process,” said Wright.
Wright felt there were some key takeaways from the May 2023 Mutz virtual cohort session that helped prepare her for FOTH.
“I was deeply appreciative of Lauren Box and Matthew Morgan for providing an overview of ‘What You Can & Cannot Do.’ I felt much more confident that I could advocate for the philanthropic sector, without causing any IRS-related issues for my foundation. Jeff Hamond's (one M) overview of the policies and legislation at the federal level provided ‘working knowledge’ and I felt comfortable that I could have ‘high-level’ conversations regarding policies that affect the sector,” explained Wright.
Wright also expressed she enjoyed a fantastic experience at FOTH 2023:
“I had an amazing experience at FOTH 2023! The opportunity to advocate for philanthropy (something that is near and dear to my heart) at the national level was an experience of a lifetime. I went back home knowing that several of our legislators are quite focused on their region (Rudy Yakim (IN-2) is simply amazing) and interested in knowing how the proposed legislation would affect constituents in ‘real-time.’ I left Washington, DC knowing that Pulaski County was represented and ‘heard.’ I also have a better understanding of just how important public policy is to the philanthropic sector and what small part I play in that process.”
Many thanks to Holly Davis, Lissa Silotto, and the entire IPA team for coordinating the May 2023 Mutz cohort virtual session and subsequent 2023 IPA FOTH delegation at such a high level that resulted in a deep and resonating experience for all who attended.
IPA and Mutz Cohort members attending FOTH congressional meetings in Washington, D.C. May 9-12 included: Shannon Walker, Unity Foundation of La Porte County; Tina Patton, Indiana Trust Wealth Management; Stephanie Overbey, Kosciusko County Community Foundation; Kara Fulmer, Honeywell Arts & Entertainment; Leeann Wright, Community Foundation of Pulaski County; Sara Stone, Putnam County Community Foundation; Lissa Silotto, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance; Holly Davis, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance; Alexandra Pflug, Fayette Community Foundation; Stephanie Wagner, Johnson County Community Foundation; Josh Abel, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust; Travis Tester, Foster Success; Crista Carlino, RecycleForce; Dan Davis, Community Foundation of Jackson County; Meagan Niese, Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County; Ryan Brady, Glick Philanthropies; Adam Richter, Glick Philanthropies.