What to Talk About

The Council and the Forum recommend that you focus your energies on educating Members of Congress and their staffs. During last year’s debate on the CARE Act, we discovered that many Members of Congress are unaware of the impact that foundations are making in their state or district. A meeting during Foundations on the Hill should help your Members of Congress understand and appreciate the value of your foundation to their communities and constituents.

Listed below are some tips on how to educate your Members of Congress about your work.

• Give a brief summary of philanthropy in your district or state. If a regional association staff member is attending the meeting, he or she may want to summarize some basic state giving statistics for the Member. If possible, give a brief description of how many grantmakers are located in the Member’s state or district, by type, and include an estimate of their total size and annual grants. The Foundation Center’s FC Stats provides free access to data on U.S. private and community foundations and their funding patterns.
• Put a face on philanthropy. Our research shows that people are willing to listen to your message if you speak to them in their language. Give one or two examples of your foundation’s work that focus on people, results, and impact.
• Position the foundation as a resource. If your foundation makes grants in a few specific subject areas, this information can be a valuable resource for legislative staff, particularly if the Member of Congress sits on a specific committee with jurisdiction over that subject area.
• Offer to take the Member on a site visit back in his/her district or state. Members of Congress often return home for three- or four-day weekends. A site visit provides a Member with a firsthand look at the good work you are doing and will help the Member remember the benefits that foundations provide to his or her communities. After the meeting, follow up by sending a letter formally inviting the Member on a site visit the next time he or she is back in the state or district.
• Discuss legislative items affecting foundations and corporate giving programs. Once you educate the Member about your foundation and the work you are doing, it is important to address current legislative items affecting foundations and the nonprofit sector.
• Provide a "Leave-Behind" Folder. Include giving statistics, issue papers, and contact information in these folders.