Public Policy Overview

Building Relationships, Improving Policy

From our inception in 1969, as an initial response to the 1969 Tax Reform Act, SECF has chosen to be proactive in the public policy space – we believe “strength in numbers” is essential to achieving success in state capitols and in Washington, where members empower one another to mount a vigorous defense of philanthropy, educate policymakers and promote the ability of funders to address community priorities.

Public Policy Committee

SECF’s Public Policy Committee identifies and monitors legislation, regulations and other government activities that affect the interests of SECF members and the philanthropic sector. The committee seeks to educate members as to the importance of public policy engagement, to inform them of the rules governing lobbying and advocacy, and to identify ways members can magnify their impact through strategic interaction with government. The Public Policy Committee is also responsible for proposing policy position statements springing from legislation and other policy proposals.

SECF’s Public Policy Committee Roster

The Public Policy Committee is comprised of SECF members from across the region. The committee advises staff on public policy programming and develops policy positions, which are recommended to the SECF Board of Trustees.

Sally Ehrenfried (Co-Chair)
Blackbaud
Charleston, SC

Mason Rummel (Co-Chair)
James Graham Brown Foundation
Louisville, KY

Jane Alexander
Community Foundation for Mississippi
Jackson, MS

Meredith Sullivan Benton
The Healing Trust
Nashville, TN

Pete Bird
The Frist Foundation
Nashville, TN

Ben Chandler
Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
Louisville, KY

Alfredo Cruz
Foundation for Louisiana
Baton Rouge, LA

Torrey DeKeyser
The Eyesight Foundation of Alabama
Birmingham, AL

Susan DeVenny
J. Marion Sims Foundation
Lancaster, SC

Robert M. Fockler
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
Memphis, TN

Erik Johnson
Robert W. Woodruff Foundation
Atlanta, GA

Antoinette Malveaux
Casey Family Programs
Seattle, WA

Regan Gruber Moffitt
Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Little Rock, AR

Cynthia Newbille
Richmond Memorial Health Foundation
Richmond, VA

Sutton Mora Hayes
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
Memphis, TN

Betsy Pennewill
Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Sarasota, FL

Judge John Rochester
Martha Christine White Foundation
Ashland, AL

Christopher Wilbanks
The Robert and Polly Dunn Foundation
Atlanta, GA

Karen Wilbanks
The Robert and Polly Dunn Foundation
Atlanta, GA

Gilbert Miller (Ex-Officio)
Bradley-Turner Foundation
Columbus, GA

Janine Lee (Staff)
Southeastern Council of Foundations
Atlanta, GA

Jaci Bertrand (Staff)
Southeastern Council of Foundations
Atlanta, GA

Matthew L. Evans (Staff)
Southeastern Council of Foundations
Atlanta, GA

Look Up Your Representatives in Washington

The most effective public policy engagement comes from contacting lawmakers who represent the district or state where you live, or where your foundation is based. Enter your information below to learn who represents you in the U.S. House and Senate.

If you have questions about SECF’s public policy work, would like support in setting up a meeting with policymakers, or want to know more about what kinds of advocacy foundations can, or cannot, engage in, contact Matthew L. Evans, SECF’s director of public policy and special projects, at (404) 524-0911 or via email at matthew@secf.org.

Matthew L. Evans

Director of Public Policy & Special Projects

Contact