Public Policy
The Forum’s mission is to lead, strengthen, and inform a national network of organizations that advance philanthropy's impact for the common good. In order to carry out that mission, the Forum recognizes the critical importance of substantial engagement in the public policy process.
A Leading Voice For The Sector
As the largest and most diverse network in American philanthropy, United Philanthropy Forum leverages the power of our collective network to lead in public policy and advocacy, promoting a strong philanthropic sector and advocating for vibrant, healthy, and equitable communities.
This sustained approach allows the Forum to lead and advocate on behalf of the sector while addressing systemic inequities and identifying practical public policy solutions that catalyze a just and equitable society where all can participate and prosper.
The Forum's policy work also strengthens relationships and partnerships between philanthropy and government. By leveraging the power of our broad network, the Forum:
- Serves as a leading and unified voice for the philanthropic sector;
- Impacts legislation, regulation, and public policy at the state and federal levels via strong advocacy and engagement strategies;
- Provides a platform and support for members’ participation in the public policy/advocacy process;
If you have any questions about the Forum’s public policy work, engagement with elected officials, or sector public policy resources, please contact Matthew L. Evans, the Forum’s Senior Director of Public Policy.
Our Public Policy Focus
Our public policy work involves promoting a strong sector and advocating for equitable solutions to issues that impact the communities we work with and in. In an effort to guide this work, the Forum releases a set of Public Policy Principles every two years in alignment with the seating of a new Congress.
The 2023-2024 Public Policy Principles, listed below, establish an agenda that serves as a guide for the Forum's public policy engagement during the 118th Congress.
- Champion Racial Equity + Justice
- Support Fair Tax Policy + Regulation
- Enhance Charitable Giving
- Defend & Strengthen Democracy
- Promote Civic Engagement
- Strengthen the Nonprofit Sector's Impact
Learn More About Our Public Policy Principles for the 118th Congress
Using the Principle policy areas, the Forum has identified specific legislative and regulatory priorities for 2024, of which a few key issues are featured below.
Engagement Touchpoints
The Forum’s member-driven public policy work is comprised of three principal components that help implement an active strategy: Strong Member Engagement, Impactful Government Relations, and Strategic Public Policy Partnerships.
Strong Member Engagement
The District to D.C. Advocacy Network harnesses the power of the Forum network and its nearly 100 philanthropy-serving organization (PSOs) members, creating an active culture of sector public policy engagement from coast to coast.
The Network makes this possible by mobilizing and engaging thousands of PSO professionals, foundation leaders, and sector advocates on public policy issues in a coordinated and collaborative fashion.
Impactful Government Relations
With a membership of nearly 100 PSOs that span the country from coast to coast and represent over 7,000 funders and foundations, the Forum's government relations efforts encompass a broad range of stakeholders dedicated to supporting a strong sector and advocating for vibrant, healthy, and equitable communities.
Strategic Public Policy Partnerships
To help advance policy solutions for the sector and communities, the Forum recognizes the vital role that partnerships play in bolstering coalition-building and advocacy initiatives. From think tanks and national organizations supporting nonprofit infrastructure to regional and local PSOs within our network, the Forum seeks out and fosters partnerships to help advance our mission.
Forum Advocacy Action Center
Take action on important issues via our advocacy center powered by Voter Voice. From pre-written template letters on key policy issues to tools to find Members of Congress, sector leaders and advocates may use the action center to help bolster the impact of the Forum network's advocacy efforts.
Events
Policy + Advocacy Resources
The Forum advances our mission by supporting public policy and advocacy capacity building for PSO members, their foundation members, and the broader sector. To bolster network and sector capacity, the Forum designs resources to provide the tools and information needed to be impactful and influential sector leaders and advocates.
Listserv compilation about a legislative tracker for PSOs on their website.
A key policy issue for the Forum is Donor-Advised Funds.
Forum Comment Letter to Treasury regarding proposed regulations impacting donor-advised funds.
Ahead of the 2024 election, United Philanthropy Forum partnered with Nonprofit VOTE on the newest edition of the Philanthropy for Voter Engagement Toolkit.
A key policy issue for the Forum is Voting Rights.
A key policy issue for the Forum is Donor-Advised Funds.
Forum Comment Letter to Treasury regarding proposed regulations impacting donor-advised funds.
Ahead of the 2024 election, United Philanthropy Forum partnered with Nonprofit VOTE on the newest edition of the Philanthropy for Voter Engagement Toolkit.
A key policy issue for the Forum is Donor-Advised Funds.
United Philanthropy Forum’s Charitable Act Engagement Toolkit is designed to assist member-PSOs with the promotion of the Philanthropy Day of Action and to guide PSOs and their members’ advocacy efforts on October 4th in support of the Charitable Act.
A key policy issue for the Forum is the Universal Charitable Deduction.
Ahead of the 2024 election, United Philanthropy Forum partnered with Nonprofit VOTE on the newest edition of the Philanthropy for Voter Engagement Toolkit.
A key policy issue for the Forum is Voting Rights.
Philanthropic and Charitable Sector letter to Congress in support of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
