Public Policy
The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy is the leading voice to policy makers on behalf of Connecticut’s grantmakers. The Council works with its foundation and corporate giving members and its public policy committee to connect the ideas and insights of the Connecticut philanthropic community to policy makers.
The Council does this by
- Informing grantmakers about key state and federal policy issues and the potential impact on the philanthropic sector and giving
- Promoting the importance of policy work and enhancing the capacity of foundations and corporate giving programs to be involved in the policy area
- Developing ongoing relationships with state and federal policy makers
- Acting as a convener and intermediary between policy makers and members
- Representing the interests of Connecticut grantmakers to elected officials
- Enhancing policymakers’ understanding about organized philanthropy
The Council may take positions on public policy issues such as pending legislation or regulations on issues which affect the field of philanthropy, issues affecting the health and well-being of nonprofit organizations in general, and efforts to promote a greater understanding of the possibilities of partnerships between the public and private sectors
The Council provides information on specific issues such as health, welfare, and the arts through alerts and forums, not direct action.
In This Area
- Talk to Candidates & Elected Officials Toolkit
Tools to Educate Candidates and Elected Officials About Philanthropy, including suggested talking points, a template for quick facts and a story about your foundation, and a leave behind candidate card. - Policy Resources
Find your Connecticut elected officials, links to a bill tracker, resources for advocacy and lobbying and more. - Issues and legislation
Find information on federal and state issues and legislation.
Materials
- State and Local Policy Watch for Nonprofits and Foundations
This presentation summary identifies five major policy trends in state and local juridictions that deserve attention from foundations and their grantees. Pat Read, fomerly with Independent Sector, presented at the 2012 Alliance for Charitable Reform (ACR) Summit for Leaders. - Report: How a Public Private/Partnership Brought $30 Million and 6,650 Jobs to Connecticut (PDF)
This report describes the significant challenges and innovative solutions of the partnership that successfully secured millions in federal stimulus funds for the state in 2010 and 2011. The state’s philanthropic community, government representatives and nonprofit advocates partnered to leverage the funds through the Emergency Contingency Funds of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. - 10 Ways Foundations Can Work with the Public Sector (PDF)
Foundations and state and local governments have a long history of working together and a common goal of supporting the quality of life in their communities. Read about the ten ways that in which they can work together. - Philanthropy Impacts Connecticut Communities (PDF)
These snapshots highlight just a few of the ways philanthropy is working on issues of concern to us all. - Connecticut Council for Philanthropy 2012 Public Policy Plan (PDF)
Read the Public Policy Plans of the Council for 2012.
Links
- CT Mirror
Visit the website of the Connecticut News Project, Inc., an independent, non-partisan, non-profit news organization created to reinvigorate coverage of Connecticut's state government, public policy and politics. Their primary goal is to ensure that the people of the state are better informed about their government and its activities, so they can more effectively participate in the development of public policy and hold officials accountable for understanding and addressing the state's needs. - Foundations on the Hill
Sponsored by the Council on Foundations and Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers Foundations on the Hill serves as an annual opportunity for grantmakers to meet with their federal lawmakers in Washington, D.C. Foundation trustees and staff work with their regional association to schedule meetings on Capitol Hill to personally discuss their work with members of Congress.