Public Policy Overview

SECF and its members are engaged on public policy year-round, but there’s no substitute for in-person advocacy. Each March, SECF brings the largest delegation of philanthropic leaders in the country to Washington for Foundations on the Hill (FOTH), the field’s annual opportunity to meet with lawmakers and their staff, inform them of philanthropy’s important work and advocate for policies that support our ability to transform communities and improve lives. 

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.

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.