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What It Is

Once a year, the SCG team and our Philanthropy California delegation of members across the state convene to ensure policymakers in Washington, D.C. understand the landscapes of the communities we serve. Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) brings together hundreds of foundation leaders from across the country to meet with Congress and discuss issues of critical importance to philanthropy. In years past, our Public Policy team has met with Mayor Karen Bass, Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, Rep. Jim Costa, and many other Congress members. We have also met with federal agencies including but not limited to: the Department of Housing and Urban Developement (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). These meetings are essential for lawmakers and federal administration to understand philanthropy’s role and for SCG members to share their knowledge and expertise on issues we collectively support. 
 
In the same light, SCG members participate in Sacramento Day to develop and cultivate relationships with fellow policy-oriented peers and policymakers, through a focused lens on statewide policies in California. Together, we encourage legislators to view foundations as thought partners and to trade best practices.
 

Why It Matters

Foundations on the Hill and Sacramento Day are important opportunities for SCG to advocate for our policy agenda through educating legislators and the administration about philanthropy’s role in systems change, developing and cultivating relationships with fellow policy-oriented partners, and resource on key public policy issues. Funders deserve to have their voices heard by representatives to inspire their political will for relevant policy issues, and SCG, alongside Philanthropy California, can build the bridges to enable these cross-sector relationships. By incorporating both FOTH and Sacramento Day as integral parts of our policy strategies, SCG is able to move forward our policy agenda federally, statewide, and in cohesion with our members.