This Toolkit was created to meet a number of different goals. First and foremost, the Toolkit is designed to encourage funders to support public policy efforts by providing “tools” to help foundations think through the process of funding and engaging in public policy efforts. To this end, we aim to demystify the public policy process. Public policy creation and implemention is not as complex as many think. The Toolkit describes public policy grantmaking opportunities by detailing the continuum of activities available to foundations to affect public policy. It also aims to address what public policy grantmaking is not by identifying and addressing barriers, real and perceived, that deter many foundations from becoming involved in public policy grantmaking.  

As stated in the previous section, the Public Policy Committee believes that some of the most successful public policy grantmaking is the result of collaborative efforts—among foundations and between foundations, government, and nonprofit organizations. The Toolkit provides examples of collaboration and assists foundations in educating grantees about the public policy process and the range of strategies and approaches needed to achieve social change.

The Public Policy Committee created the Toolkit because it believes that solutions to the problems many foundations care about require public policy funding and engagement. Issues that many foundations address, from expanding access to health care to the environment, are the result of a variety of interconnected factors. Successful changes around these causes require strategies which address all layers of the issue—there is no “silver bullet.”  Institutional and policy changes result from multiple actions by multiple parties. We recognize that some funders are reticent to support public policy engagement and change because it requires extensive and comprehensive action. However, longterm solutions to our society's most pressing issues usually require systemic change through public policy. Consequently, policy work on a deep level requires longterm funding. While on the one hand the Toolkit explains that public policy development and implementation is not often simple or clear cut, it is also not as complex as is commonly thought. As the Toolkit details, there is a wide variety of distinct, small ways that foundations and their grantees can impact public policy. In fact, a lot of funders support public policy engagement without knowing it.

In addition to detailing public policy engagement, the toolkit highlights some general best practices in grantmaking. Among these, first and foremost is the importance of providing general operating support. General support grants, as opposed to project grants, allow grantees greater flexibility to respond quickly and creatively to the changing policy environment. General support dollars are often used to cover staff time and general advocacy efforts. These activities establish trust and build relationships with potential partners and decisionmakers. Ultimately, these efforts leverage your foundation's grant dollars far more than support for a particular project.