Public Policy
We are at an exciting time in our history. We are expanding upon our more than 40-year legacy of building relationships between the private and public sectors while enhancing the impact of individual and collaborative projects for the public good. To that end, we have inaugurated the new SCG Public Policy Advisory Committee to continue to support our members working in the policy realm. The Committee will work to frame the philanthropy public policy conversation on a local, state and federal level by:
- Educating SCG members on political and legislative issues affecting philanthropy and the issue areas philanthropy supports.
- Fostering engagement and collaborations with policymakers and the philanthropic sector to advance the work of philanthropy and build strong communities.
The work of the Committee will help SCG members influence the legislative process and take action on emerging public policy issues that advance the work of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. If you are interested in receiving updates on SCG's public policy work, please edit your profile and indicate your interest in Public Policy & Advocacy under "Professional Development Interests”. Please check back often for the latest news, resources, and events.
For more information, please contact David Carroll, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations, at david@socalgrantmakers.org.
Foundations on the Hill (FOTH)
For the past several years, Philanthropy California has led a delegation of more than 20 individuals from all three RAs to Capitol Hill. The two day event is packed with 30 legislative and agency meetings where our funders and staff educated Members of Congress about philanthropy and how we can work together.
Philanthropy in the State Capitol
In May 2017, Philanthropy California staff and members from each RA inaugurated the first annual Philanthropy in the State Capitol, where we spent a day in Sacramento building relationships with state legislators.
06/13/2025
Philanthropy California — the statewide alliance of Northern California Grantmakers, SoCal Grantmakers, and Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties — stands unwaveringly with our state’s immi
05/21/2025
Philanthropy California, the statewide alliance of Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Northern California Grantmakers, and SoCal Grantmakers, stands ready to defend philanthropy’s freedom of expression and its right to give without fear of retaliation. We believe an independent nonprofit and philanthropic sector — free from government overreach — is essential in maintaining a robust civil society, thriving communities, and a strong democracy.
10/17/2024
Ahead of the 2024 General Election, Philanthropy California — the statewide alliance of Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Northern California Grantmakers, and SoCal Gr
04/28/2021
On April 26, 2021, the United States Census Bureau (USCB) released the census apportionment data. This census data is used to allocate seats in the U.S.
04/28/2021
On April 26, 2021, the United States Census Bureau (USCB) released the census apportionment data. This census data is used to allocate seats in the U.S.
12/17/2020
We are reminded, as we close this year, that moments of disruption, such as those we're experiencing, are also moments to ad
03/31/2020
The time to ensure the count is here! The 2020 Census has faced many challenges — the attempt to include an untested citizenship question, delays in funding, and now the untold impact of COVID-19.
12/19/2019
The tax and spending legislation — released by bipartisan negotiators and passed by the House of Representatives this week — contains significant victories for private foundations and the nonprofit
08/12/2019
Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, and Philanthropy California are united in opposition to the proposed changes to Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. LGBTQ people, immigrants, and people seeking reproductive care will be hurt by these proposed changes. As philanthropic serving organizations dedicated to the health and wellbeing of these communities, and social justice values more broadly, we are speaking out and taking action.
04/01/2019
A fair and accurate census that reflects our communities is absolutely vital to ensure that Californians receive access to resources and equal political representation.
10/10/2018
Your voice matters — join us in standing up for our deepest values and for all of our communities.
10/10/2018
Your voice matters — join us in standing up for our deepest values and for all of our communities.
07/17/2018
Together with the League of California Community Foundations, Philanthropy California encourages its members to send letters of public comment related to the U.S.
06/20/2018
As Philanthropy California, we join our partners in philanthropy, along with advocates and immigrant communities, in calling for an end to the practice of separating children from their parents as part of the Administration’s “zero tolerance” policy on the U.S.-Mexico border.
05/24/2018
Philanthropy California has signed on to the Census Policy Advocacy Network's (CPAN) budget request.
05/24/2018
Philanthropy California has signed on to the Census Policy Advocacy Network's (CPAN) budget request.
04/04/2018
We are an inclusive California and we all deserve to be counted.
04/04/2018
We are an inclusive California and we all deserve to be counted.
03/08/2018
We voice our unequivocal support for the “Johnson Amendment” – the long-standing federal law that prohibits 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from endorsing, opposing or contributing to political candidates and engaging in partisan campaign activities.
02/08/2018
California has long been home to a special kind of American Dream. People from all walks of life come to our state to find opportunity and prosperity.
02/08/2018
California has long been home to a special kind of American Dream. People from all walks of life come to our state to find opportunity and prosperity.
01/26/2018
We write to express our opposition to the Department of Justice’s December 12, 2017 request to include a new citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
01/26/2018
We write to express our opposition to the Department of Justice’s December 12, 2017 request to include a new citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
09/05/2017
Philanthropy California joins our partners in philanthropy, advocates, and immigrant communities in standing against today’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA).
It is difficult to overstate the importance of a fair census count. When census information is not accurate, it threatens to muffle the voices of undercounted groups and regions, and undermine the basic political equality that is central to our democracy. Institutions across the country - including local and state governments, businesses, nonprofits and foundations - routinely rely on data from the census to allocate funding, define where services are delivered and promote economic development.
The Census Bureau is facing a daunting set of challenges as it prepares for the 2020 census. Since the bureau is facing budget constraints like never before, it is planning to collect the majority of census information online, scale back door-to-door outreach and roll back canvassing. These changes increase the potential of undercounting young children, minorities, low-income individuals and other marginalized individuals. Given the current climate, regional and national philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) and their members are needed to advocate and educate elected officials and community leaders on the importance and impact of the 2020 Census on their communities. Even without the changes being proposed for the 2020 Census, we know there were gross undercounts of vulnerable populations in the 2010 Census. This is why the 2020 Census matters to philanthropy.
On October 10, the “public charge” rule was published in the Federal Register for public comment. This rule would make people choose between the things they need and the people they love while favoring the wealthiest in our immigration system. The rule would make it significantly harder for immigrants to become citizens and would threaten the health, stability, and well-being of millions of immigrant families. Already living in a heightened climate of fear, under the proposed regulation, immigrant parents would be faced with the difficult choice of staying on the path to U.S. citizenship or ensuring that their children have healthcare, healthy food, and stable housing.
Across the nation, advocates, providers, and communities are pushing back against a cruel and unnecessary immigration policy that would worsen the well-being, health, and stabilities of millions of children and families. Alongside over 1,500 organizations nationwide, Philanthropy California signed onto the Protecting Immigrant Families Campaign statement opposing the rule.
Statements
April 28, 2021
March 31, 2020
July 17, 2018
News
April 16, 2018