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 Programming

SECF members are engaged in public policy conversations year-round. Each year, we proudly convene the largest delegation of grantmakers in the country to attend Foundations on the Hill, where members meet with lawmakers and promote policies that preserve and strengthen philanthropy’s vital role supporting work that strengthens the fabric and well-being of our communities.

Throughout the rest of the year, SECF members meet regularly with lawmakers through in-district meetings, while also learning through webinars, sessions at the Annual Meeting, policy luncheons and other events. SECF delivers vital legislative intelligence and analysis through policy updates, alerts and our quarterly Public Policy digest.

SECF's Public Policy Digest

Updates and analysis of federal and state policy relevant to grantmakers.

View the latest Public Policy Digest

StateScape

SECF members also have free access to StateScape, an online state legislative tracking service designed with foundations and their grantees in mind. SECF actively joins coalitions of other philanthropic supporting organizations, ensuring members are kept well-informed on the latest developments in Washington.

What policies does SECF support?

Learn more about SECF’s policy positions.

SECF’s Public Policy Committee

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

Get Involved

Matthew L. Evans is SECF’s director of public policy and special projects. He works closely with the Public Policy Committee and provides leadership on all public policy events and programs. Matthew also regularly meets with lawmakers representing the Southeast. If you have interest in becoming more involved, contact Matthew at matthew@secf.org or at (404) 524-0911.

Questions

If you have questions about public policy, contact Matthew at matthew@secf.org or at (404) 524-0911.