Programs and direct services alone may show short-term benefits, but will often not get at the ultimate root of social problems that foundations wish to address. In contrast, foundations should view public policy engagement as a necessary counterpart to programmatic funding.

Furthermore, to ensure that foundatins achieve their goals, it is often necessary to look at the systemic context in which services are provided. For example, a foundation interested in ending domestic violence may fund battered women's shelters. However, if women are unable to navigate a complex intake system, they will not benefit from access to shelters.

If foundations and their grantees do not engage in public policy advocacy, they leave decisions about public policy up to those who may not understand community or constituency issues.

Building upon the above example, it is important for domestic violence survivors and advocates to be involved in the design and implementation of domestic violence services to ensure that the system reflects clients' needs.

Useful Links
"Applying Policy Tools to Achieve Long-Term Change" W. K. Kellogg Foundation

"Giving Voice to the Voiceless: the Case for Advocacy Funding" by Ruth Holton, The California Wellness Foundation, Views from the Field, Grantmakers in Health

"How Small Family Foundation Investments Can Shape Policy Reform" by Elizabeth Wilcox, Common Counsel Foundation

Interview with Emmett Carson, President, Minneapolis Community Foundation, Alliance for Justice

Interview with Hodding Carter, President and CEO, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Alliance for Justice