Public Policy News
Philanthropy California has signed on to the Census Policy Advocacy Network’s (CPAN) budget request to support adequate funding for community-based organizations (CBOs) to engage in outreach efforts for the upcoming 2020 Census.
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, David & Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation have announced the launch of a new online course to help grantees understand the laws governing their lobbying activity. The free course is designed for U.S. public charities and their equivalents who are seeking funding from a private foundation to support advocacy work.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that corruption in politics is bad. Few will argue against stronger anti-corruption laws or more transparency on the flow of money through city hall. An important policy has been making its way through San Francisco’s legislative process aimed at rooting out corruption and strengthening the city’s campaign finance and conflict of interest laws.
Last month NCG weighed in on its first public policy issue – opposing changes to San Francisco’s campaign finance and conflict of interest laws. True, it’s not the sexiest of issues but it was one with huge implications for philanthropy and our partners in government and the nonprofit sector.
Our criminal justice system is broken. It disproportionately impacts and targets communities of color and poor communities, and costs California taxpayers billions a year, money that could otherwise be directed towards more fruitful investments in community development, drug treatment, mental health services, education, and jobs.
In her remarks to the Peninsula Philanthropic Network on September 29, 2017, Congresswoman Jackie Speier noted that the Redwood City area is a version of “A Tale of Two Cities,” reflecting on her own experience visiting a mobile home community that has spiraled into severe disrepair despite its location mere miles from new luxury developments.
From immigration to affordable housing to criminal justice reform, the list of policy engagement opportunities for NCG keeps growing. Many urgent and important issues affect our region. To help us assess the greatest good that might come of our efforts...
“It seems that almost everyone in the Bay Area has a housing horror story to tell. Anecdotes abound of renters spending months looking for a new place, and the pound of flesh extracted when they do find one. Equally scary are the stories from aspiring, seemingly qualified homeowners who are turned away by banks...”
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). Our nation is built on the ideals of freedom, fairness, and prosperity, and we are stronger when everyone has the opportunity to thrive. DACA was a first step in fulfilling our nation’s promise to thousands of young immigrants – giving them the opportunity to learn, work, and, more importantly, contribute to the nation that they call home.
"...This is not the time for philanthropy to wait out current circumstances. Rather, foundations need to step up efforts to help safeguard the government’s viability and vitality." - Max Stier