NCG Public Policy Resources legislative update A non-legislative resolution has been reached between legislators and philanthropic leaders, and as a result California Diversity Legislation AB 624 will no longer move forward or have further consideration by the California legislature. bill text, history and analysis regional philanthropy responds diversity in philanthropy project analysis media coverage video NCG's Public Policy Committee has developed a toolkit containing the continuum of activities (roles, tactics, strategies, campaigns) available to foundations to affect public policy, including evaluation tools and effective strategies to support long-term changes in public policy. The Committee gathered data for the toolkit using a member survey. The toolkit presents the range of activities that foundations in Northern California are engaged in to affect public policy, including: The actions foundations are currently taking. For example: relationship building between policymakers and boards of directors/trustees. Policy-related grantmaking. Non-traditional policy-related activities, such as public & consumer campaigns.

The Public Charity's Guide to the California Initiative Process

This new guide by the NCG Public Policy Committee outlines the manner in which public charities can play a significant role in state ballot initiatives, including details on the state and federal regulations that affect them. It is the companion publication to the “Private Foundation’s Guide.” The Guide is intended to help public charities and their legal counsel to more confidently navigate the decisions they will face when working in the ballot measure arena.

The Public Charity’s Guide was funded by The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation, Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, Foundation Consortium for California's Children & Youth, The James Irvine Foundation, Marin Community Foundation, McKay Foundation, Omidyar Foundation, Peninsula Community Foundation, The San Francisco Foundation, and Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation.

The Private Foundation's Guide to the California Initiative Process

The Private Foundation’s Guide was published in the fall of 2003 and details activities private foundations can engage in around California state ballot initiatives.

The Private Foundation Guide was funded by The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation, Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, The James Irvine Foundation, McKay Foundation, Omidyar Foundation, and Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation.

How to use these guides:
You must have Adobe Acrobat version 6.0 to access the Guides. You can download Acrobat for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html . The Guides are easy to navigate online. All text in red and underlined is a link within the document. The tables of contents are interactive, with links to each of the Guides’ sections. The guides can also be navigated by clicking on the “Bookmarks” or “Thumbnails” tabs on the left of the PDF file. You can click on individual sections or specific pages using these tools. Please note: In order to access links, some users must move the navigational hand immediately below the desired link until the hand turns into a pointed finger. Once the pointed finger appears, left click with your mouse to open up the appropriate link.

Sector Specific Links

Alliance for Justice Foundation Advocacy Initiative
The Alliance for Justice's new initiative encouraging foundations to engage in public policy advocacy

Independent Sector
Excellent source of up to date public policy information relevant to the philanthropic sector

Council on Foundations
Regularly updated information regarding pressing public policy issues

National Center for Responsive Philanthropy
Analysis of selected public policy matters

The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
The Forum's public policy site that includes a useful introduction to foundation advocacy

Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy
University of Southern California sponsored center; source of academic papers on philanthropy and public policy

State and Local Links

Rough & Tumble
Comprehensive daily listing of California-specific Political and Public Policy news articles

CA State Line site
Useful state news summary

Public Policy Institute of California
Excellent source of objective, non-partisan research on major economic, social, and political issues

Federal Links

Nonprofit Gateway
US government's official web portal specifically designed for nonprofits

THOMAS: Legislative Information on the Internet
User friendly search engine for federal legislation; maintained by the Library of Congress

Census Information
US Department of Commerce

FedStats
Provides a range of official statistical information available from the Federal government

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Government-wide compendium of Federal programs, projects, services, and activities that provide assistance or benefits to the American public