Statewide Delegation Emphasizes Equity and Nonprofit Investment at Foundations on the Hill 2024

March 18, 2024

Every spring, United Philanthropy Forum, Council on Foundations, and Independent Sector convene serving organizations (PSOs) like Forefront from across the United States for Foundations on the Hill (FOTH). In late February, Forefront plus a delegation of eleven foundations and one advising firm represented the Illinois social impact sector in Washington, D.C for FOTH 2024. In just two days, we met with 13 Congressional offices, sharing stories and educating them about our priorities.

Our delegation with Sen. Tammy Duckworth

The 2024 Illinois Delegation

Foundations of all sizes and types from every corner of Illinois participated in Foundations on the Hill in 2024, showcasing the sector’s depth and diversity of thought. Thank you to these foundations for their time and efforts:

Our delegation with Greg Warren, Legislative Director for Rep. Darin LaHood (IL-16)

Meetings with Congressional Officials

In 2024, we secured meetings with Congressional offices and both Illinois State Senators, covering most of the State and crossing both sides of the aisle. We are grateful to the staff of these offices for helping to coordinate these important conversations and engaging in thoughtful discussion, including:

Our delegation with Rep. Danny Davis (IL-7), Chair of the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus

2024 Priorities

At each Congressional meeting, Forefront staff discussed the following federal priority legislation. For each issue, Forefront’s team centered data specific to Illinois and highlighted the racial equity impact. Download related fact sheets and sign-on letters on our Federal Agenda page.

Universal Charitable Deduction – H.R. 3435 / S. 566
This bipartisan legislation will restore the universal charitable or non-itemizer deduction is a key policy priority for nonprofit member organizations nationwide. Read more about this legislation and take action here.

Nonprofit Sector Strength and Partnership Act – H.R. 3245
The social impact sector employees 11% of the Illinois workforce and 10% of the workforce nationally, and partners with governments at all levels to provide essential services and promote the public good. Yet, there is no one in the federal government charged with ensuring the challenges and concerns of our sector are heard or addressed. Read more about legislation to fix this and take action here.

Workforce Development through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act – H.R. 3582 / S. 1757
Post-graduation scholarship grant programs can stimulate regional economic growth, strengthen a community’s workforce, and help address the growing student debt crisis. Read more about legislation to support these programs as charitable activities and take action here.

Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Research and Regulation
At Hill meetings, we reviewed key findings from the new DAF Research Collaborative Report and encouraged officials to make data driven decisions and include stakeholders if DAF-related legislation moves in the future. Forefront’s recent comments on proposed DAF regulations were included in the meeting packet, as well.

Supporting New Arrivals and Immigrants
Many funders in Illinois are involved in a coordinated response to new arrivals in Chicago and working to support related community conversations with other immigrant groups. At Hill meetings, stakeholders explained the current state of play, emphasizing the need for federal intervention and offering administrative solutions that do not require congressional action.

Learn more, and download fact sheets and sign-on letters, for these federal priorities on our Federal Agenda page. You can also check out our 2023 FOTH work to see how we built on it this year.

Stay Connected + Involved

In the coming weeks and months, Forefront staff will follow up with Congressional offices to encourage them to co-sponsor and support these proposals where applicable. Join our advocacy efforts by:

Getting Social on Social Media. Stay connected on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter to learn about how Forefront educates, unifies, and mobilizes the Illinois social impact sector.

Taking action with Forefront’s Social Impact Action Center Alerts. Take easy, effective, and timely grassroots advocacy action that can help to educate lawmakers and amplify issues important to creating a thriving and vibrant social impact sector in Illinois. Sign up here.

Joining Forefront’s bi-weekly Social Impact Sector Newsletter. Get the latest policy updates, upcoming events, tools, resources, and more that will help you meet your mission and strengthen your impact, when you sign up for Forefront’s Social Impact Sector Updates newsletter. You can sign up for the newsletter at the link at the bottom of the page.

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