The 2022 Advocacy Learning Series is part of Philanthropy Colorado's commitment to lead and build momentum on policy and advocacy work, as outlined in our Strategic Roadmap & Equity Framework. This year's virtual series aims to expand the capacity of Colorado philanthropic organizations; improve understanding and provide clarity on permissible policy and advocacy activities; and encourage peer learning exchanges and sharing about experiences, models and examples.
Philanthropy’s role in policy change: A conversation with Bolder Advocacy | February 22, 2022
We invited back Abby Levine, Director of Bolder Advocacy, to answer questions in a conversation moderated by Naomi Amaha, Director of Policy and Government Affairs at The Denver Foundation, and Philanthropy Colorado CEO Joanne Kelley. The session helped members gain a clear understanding of why advocacy is important for them and their grantees, the kinds of advocacy activities in which foundations can safely engage and resources for advocacy grantmaking.
Advocacy in action: How Colorado Philanthropy is Engaging on Public Policy | May 17, 2022
Policy conversation leaders Mark Andersen and Sara Craig-Scheckman from the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation, Deb Mahan with The Anschutz Foundation/Gazette Charities and Dr. Janet Lopez with The Denver Foundation.answered questions about the following:
- How they make decisions on public policy priorities and what types of actions they will take;
- Specific examples of their public policy projects;
- How they negotiate anxiety about legal requirements and donor reaction.
Video recordings of these completed Advocacy Learning Series sessions are available to members.
To receive video links, contact Director of Advocacy & Communications Jan Brennan at JBrennan@PhilanthropyColorado.org
Next up in Philanthropy Colorado’s Advocacy Learning Series
Developing internal expertise on advocacy and policy change | Tuesday, July 26, 2022 | Virtual | 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Staff members who have recently taken on new policy positions at Colorado community and private foundations will share how they are defining and developing their new roles. Together we will discuss promising practices and challenges for establishing and building advocacy and policy work, from conducting baseline assessments to creating policy committees and building understanding and support among staff, leadership and boards.
How Colorado Philanthropy seeks to advance racial equity through policy change | Thursday, September 29, 2022 | Vitual | 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
The momentum continues to build within Colorado philanthropy to center racial equity in grantmaking and to engage on public policy issues. But how do these two commitments intersect and align?
This panel will delve into how Colorado philanthropic organizations are connecting their racial equity and public policy work. The conversation will be led and moderated by Lisa Duran, Executive Director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, along with two of our strategic Colorado foundation policy leaders, Sarah Kurz, Vice President of Public Affairs at Rose Community Foundation and Kyle Rojas Legleiter, Senior Director of Policy at The Colorado Health Foundation. They will be joined by grantee and community partners in their policy efforts, which span health, housing, environment, civic and voter engagement and more.