Following up after a successful meeting with your member of Congress and his/her staff is crucial. Here are a few tips that will ensure you maintain strong relationships with your Senators and Representatives that extend beyond Foundations on the Hill.

• Thank You Letter - Within a week of your meeting, FAX or E-MAIL a thank you letter to your member of Congress and his/her staff. Again, we encourage you to fax or e-mail the thank you letter (regular mail can take up to a month for delivery).
  
  
• Send a Press Release to Your Local Media Office- Now that you're back at home be sure to send your local media office a press release about your visit to Washington, D.C. In addition, if you have pictures with your Representative and or Senators enclose those too.
  
  
• Set up a District Meeting or Site Visit - Members of Congress are back in their districts for prolonged periods of time throughout the year. You may want to schedule a district meeting during the August District Work Period (During the entire month of August).
  
  
• Add Members of Congress to your Mailing List - Make sure that your members of Congress and their relevant staff receive copies of your annual report, newsletters, etc.
  
  
• Follow up with the Council. The Council on Foundations tracks the relationships between foundations and members of Congress. If you attended Foundations on the Hill or recently met with a Member of Congress, please fill out a Meeting Report Form and fill out our Foundations on the Hill evaluation form.
  

Feel free to contact the Council's Government Relations staff (govt@cof.org or 703/879-0600) if you have any questions.

Thank You for Participating in Foundations on the Hill 2010!