Follow Up

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). [Sample Thank You Letters]
• 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 August (the Summer District Work Period). If you were unable to be with us for Foundations on the Hill, try to schedule a district meeting during the Spring District Work Period (March 17-28) or the Memorial Day District Work Period (May 27-30). If you invited your member of Congress on a site visit, make sure you reference the invitation in your thank you letter and follow up with the member's district staff.
• 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.
• Send press releases directly to your Members of Congress - You need to keep your Senators, Representatives and their staff informed about the work you are doing in their communities. Make sure that your elected officials receive your foundation's press releases.
• 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. 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 2008!