Foundations on the Hill Travel Stipend Program

With Congress poised to consider reforms of the nonprofit sector in the coming year, including changes to donor-advised funds and type III supporting organizations, the Council and the Forum believe that it is critical to educate Members of Congress on the positive role foundations and philanthropy play in our society. It is particularly important that foundations build strong relationships with members who are in positions of authority regarding philanthropic issues, including those serving on the Senate Finance Committee, the House Committee on Ways and Means and in the House/Senate leadership. The Foundations on the Hill Travel Stipend Program will help ensure that foundation representatives meet with these key members.

Travel Stipend recipients will be reimbursed for registration, travel, and accommodations for Foundations on the Hill 2005. Recipients also must:

attend one of two legislative briefings on March 8, 2005,
attend a debriefing session on March 9, 2005 and
participate in follow-up activities and conference calls.

Application for 2005 Foundations on the Hill Travel Stipend Program [PDF]

Criteria for Travel Stipend Selection

To be eligible for a travel stipend, your foundation must be located in the state of a member on the Senate Finance Committee or in Senate leadership or the district of a Representative on the House Committee on Ways and Means or in House leadership. Your foundation also must be a member of the Council on Foundations or a member of a regional association of grantmakers. In addition, preference will be given to:

Representatives from community foundations,
Organizations that are new to Foundations on the Hill

Full stipends will be awarded to selected foundations with current assets at or under $50 million. Partial stipends will be available for other selected foundations as funds permit.

Interested foundations must complete the three page application to be considered. Foundation representatives can include staff and board members. Limit one applicant per foundation. A panel convened by the Council and the Forum will determine stipend recipients and will notify all applicants of the panel’s decision. While the deadline for applications is Friday, February 4, 2005, funds are limited, so please apply early if interested.

Please contact Brian Flahaven or 202/467-0424 if you have questions.