Public Policy News
"...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
Sometimes, opportunity knocks. Other times it opens the door and lets itself in. This is the case with NCG’s recent expansion into the public policy arena.
Today, NCG is once again bearing philanthropy’s voice in the region’s policy interests. NCG members are grappling with complex issues in a diverse and rapidly-changing region. We recognize that policy is a powerful tool to advance significant and sustained change and improve outcomes.
The voice of philanthropy policy advocacy in the Bay Area returns as Northern California Grantmakers brings powerhouse attorney Cecilia Chen aboard as the organization’s first Manager of Public Policy to marshal the network’s collective power.
NCG is gearing up to bring a united regional philanthropic voice to public policy. First stop: join six NCG members and other policy folks from around the state to explore the possibilities before us at the Philanthropy Public Policy Institute’s inaugural session in Sacramento.
The Foundation's support of communities in the U.S. and abroad, including immigrants, refugees, religious minorities and transgender citizens begins with 13 specific organizations, five of which are right here in the Bay Area.
As Northern California Grantmakers CEO Ellen LaPointe discussed in her January message, NCG is building capacity to engage in public policy work with our members, our partners, and our Philanthropy California colleagues.
"Our charitable and philanthropic communities are neither partisan nor bipartisan; we are nonpartisan in law and in practice. And to protect the common good, we must keep it that way."
By Surina Khan | Over the past few weeks, we've witnessed a new administration work daily to roll back rights our communities have fought hard to win, putting in jeopardy everything from immigrants' rights and economic security to educational equity and women's health.At the same time, and despite the increasingly politicized climate in the country, we are heartened to see people stepping up and taking action in the streets, online, and in the corridors of power.
In a letter to members released this week, Northern California Grantmakers President and CEO Ellen LaPointe announced that NCG will be focusing its strategic efforts in three key areas moving forward.