Last week I had the pleasure of seeing some of our incredible Forefront members bring their passion and expertise to Washington, D.C. for this year’s Foundations on the Hill. 

The annual, two-day event, co-sponsored by Council on Foundations and The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, brings foundation leaders to Washington DC for meetings with Congress about key issues of importance to foundations and philanthropy. As with previous years, Forefront brought a team of foundation leaders and our staff members to Capitol Hill to share with our legislators the vital role our sector plays in supporting a healthy and vibrant Illinois. This year, we spoke about HR640, HR4907, the Grow Philanthropy Act, and S2750, the CHARITY Act. Together these bills aim to simplify the private foundation excise tax, increase transparency and ease of filling out and finding 990 forms online, and eliminate certain restrictions on IRA Charitable Rollovers into Donor Advised Funds among other provisions.

It is possible that you might not love policy as much as the Strategy and Policy team here at Forefront, and maybe spending a few days talking about these bills does not sound like your cup of tea. But in addition to having loads of fun (see our pictures here), I loved seeing our members in action, bringing their deep knowledge and expertise to decision makers. Mary Pounder from the Comer Family Foundation, for example, was asked to give an overview of the foundation’s work aligned with the National Makers’ Institute during a White House briefing! She was brilliant, and her passion for the work was palpable. Like Mary, all of our members are experts in their fields! Are there initiatives or policies you want to share with your elected officials? Forefront can help make that happen for you!

While we were walking from one meeting to another, Josh Gibb from the Galesburg Community Foundation bumped into Congressman Darin LaHood. The congressman yelled “Josh! So good to see you!” Josh spoke to the Congressman LaHood about our bills, then they moved on to kids, family, their shared community. Josh’s existing relationship with the congressman allowed him to talk freely and honestly about legislation that he cares about. Throughout our meetings with congressional offices, Josh offered to connect legislators and staff to foundations in their districts, take a tour perhaps, or to know who to call if they have questions about philanthropy. Do you have relationships with elected officials that allow you to bring important items to their attention? Forefront can help make that happen for you!

Forefront capped off its Foundations on the Hill visits with a deeply earnest conversation with Congressman Bobby Rush. Mary Pounder (Comer Family Foundation), Evette Cardona (Polk Bros. Foundation), Delia Coleman (Forefront), and Casey Anthony (Forefront) talked with the Congressman and his staff about new programs from the Gary Comer Community Center that bring jobs, health, nutrition, and wellness to the 1st District. The Congressman shared his personal connection to the nonprofit sector and the meeting ended with a commitment to support Forefront's #ILGive for Giving Tuesday campaign in later 2016.

It was incredible seeing the power of our members’ collective action in D.C. I hope next year you will consider joining us and bringing your knowledge and expertise to the Hill!

— Alison Leipsiger, Director, Policy and Advocacy

Click here to learn more about the work Forefront does throughout the year to promote and protect the work of the social impact sector – and strengthen the partnership between philanthropy, nonprofits, and government.

Click here to view more pictures from Foundations on The Hill. 

Click here to read the Twitter feed for #FOTH16.

This year’s Forefront FOTH delegation included: Evette Cardona, Vice President of Programs, Polk Bros. Foundation, Joshua Gibb, Executive Director, Galesburg Community Foundation, Mary Pounder, Program Officer, Comer Family Foundation, Jim Parsons, President, The Brinson Foundation, and Jodi Pellettiere, Partner, Quarles + Brady.

Forefront staff members who attended were: Eric Weinheimer, President + CEO, Delia Coleman, VP Strategy + Policy, Alison Leipsiger, Director, Policy and Advocacy, Casey Anthony, Strategy + Policy Intern.