Leave Behind Folders

It’s always a good idea to put together a folder of materials to leave with legislators after a meeting or event to reinforce key messages and provide legislative staff additional information about your foundation.

A typical leave-behind folder includes the following:

• A list of the meeting participants with your contact information.
• A one-page overview of grantmaking in your state or district. (To find the latest foundation statistics for your state, contact your regional association or visit the Foundation Center. Council and Forum staff are also able to help you with this information.)
           [Handout Example] — Courtesy of the Council on Foundations
           [Handout Example] — Courtesy of the Donors Forum of Wisconsin
• Legislative Issue Papers
• Council and Forum one-pagers. These demonstrate the connection among grantmakers, regional associations, and their national membership organizations.
           [Handout] — Council on Foundations
           [Handout] — Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers Foundations
• Press clips of work being done in the lawmaker's state or district.

Do not overstuff your leave-behind folders. Remember: The more you include, the less likely the lawmaker or staffer is to read through your materials.

If you have questions about materials to place in your leave-behind folders, please contact Hal McCabe, director of Field Operations at the Council, at 703-879-0712.