Foundation and regional association leaders gathered in Washington, DC last week to meet with members of Congress and discuss key issues of importance to foundations and philanthropy. Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) is hosted by the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, in partnership with the Council on Foundations.

This year more than 190 foundation trustees and staff from across the country participated in FOTH to inform and educate Congress about philanthropy, create visibility for foundations on Capitol Hill, and to advocate on issues affecting foundations and philanthropy.

Many thanks to the 21 regional associations who led a delegation of your members at this year's event!

Recaps from Across the Network

• Gateway Center President & CEO Highlights Philanthropy in DC (Gateway Center for Giving) 
• America Gives More Act of 2015: A Post-Foundations on the Hill Update (Philanthropy Northwest) 
• Foundations on the Hill 2015: Connecting and Collective Impact (Philanthropy Northwest) 

Post Event Resources

• Sample Meeting Thank You Letter
• Sample News Release
• Meeting Report Form

10 Questions or Less is a feature through which we get to know regional association staff members a little better- their work, what drives them, and more. If you would like to suggest someone for a profile through 10 Questions or Less, contact Dan Brady.

It's hard to narrow it down to one; I would say fulfilling our strategic plan goals and becoming a thriving organization again. Between program delivery (over 20 a year), membership growth into a significantly stronger financial position, as well as being able to expand our staff component- these are all good stress relievers for me personally. Plus, a recent legislative win for our joint public policy committee with the WV Nonprofit Association. Professionally it's great to see the organization hitting its stride. Our strategic plan is titled "20 Years and Thriving" and now that we're three years into it, it's really about hitting our mark.

I'm sure you have some audacious goals for 2015 as well. Is there anything you're working on now that is particularly exciting?

We're launching into more specific programming for corporate, private, and family foundations, but also into our work being a change agent for the state of West Virginia and central Appalachia. That includes launching some academies and institutes around ethics and leadership in philanthropy. We're also building national partnerships. For example we're bringing in Rip Rapson from the Kresge Foundation to talk about economic progress in times of crisis. As one of my board members puts it, Philanthropy is really becoming not just a player, but a leader in state.

Last year the Forum launched the Grantmaker Education Programming Directory. Has your regional association submitted any of your best programming?

Submitting is easy through our web form.

If you have any questions about the directory, please feel free to contact Dan Brady.

Recent Addition

The Dawn of System Leadership

Submitted by Jeff Poulos, Associated Grant Makers

CEOs, Presidents, Executive Directors and those with chief responsibility for grant making at a foundation, fund, or corporate giving program attend a roundtable breakfast discussion on Systems Leadership, with special guest John Kania, Managing Director of FSG.