Public Policy

Guided by the member-volunteers on the Public Policy Committee, Philanthropy Northwest advocates on behalf of the region’s philanthropic sector and helps our members become more effective in matters of public policy, advocacy and civic engagement.

Philanthropy Northwest divides our public policy work into two categories:

Government Relations
Our government relations work deals with legislation and regulations affecting the work of charitable foundation. Philanthropy Northwest and its members work to ensure that federal, state and local officials understand and appreciate the role of philanthropy and to advocate for a legislative and regulatory environment that encourages philanthropy.

Philanthropy Northwest’s work in this area includes:

• Trends in Northwest Giving, our comprehensive research report on foundations and corporate giving in the Northwest.
• Foundations on the Hill, an annual trip to Washington, DC to meet with members of Congress and their staff.
• Meetings with local and state policymakers throughout our six state region.

Find more information about this work below.

Public Policy Engagement
Another one of Philanthropy Northwest’s goals is to support our members’ efforts to achieve their own goals and missions through public policy engagement. We do this through issue briefings, workshops and trainings, funder conversations and staffing funder collaborations. This work is also led by our Public Policy Committee and by the input of members interested in this work. Check our Calendar of Programs for upcoming events.

Find out more about our Public Policy work

Learn more about what members and staff are saying about public policy on the Philanthropy Northwest blog.  Join the conversation! 

Have questions about public policy? Want to connect to other grantmakers involved in public policy? Got an idea for an issue briefing or funder conversation? Let us know!  Mindie Reule is Program Manager for Public Policy.  Contact Mindie at mreule@philanthropynw.com.