SoCal Grantmakers pledges to pursue a policy agenda that supports philanthropy in advancing equity and social justice. We collaborate with policymakers and regulatory departments in the Southern California counties we serve, in addition to those at the statewide and federal levels. Our policy work includes heightened coordination with Philanthropy California, our statewide alliance, to analyze, discuss, and advocate for policies that support the values of our collective membership.

In addition to our legislative advocacy efforts, the SCG Public Policy & Government Relations team actively develops relationships with policymakers, funders, community activists, and other partners to build coalitions and further our policy agenda. We engage our membership through educational programming, written publications, and skills trainings, and work to strengthen our existing partnerships with the Governor’s office and other stakeholders who shape California’s policy landscape.

For more information on SCG’s advocacy work, please contact Emily Michels, Manager, Public Policy & Government Relations, at emily@socalgrantmakers.org.

SCG's Public Policy Agenda

Through the input of members, partners, trusted consultants, and research into similar organizations, the Public Policy team has developed a policy plan that moves away from specific issue-based buckets to a focus on big picture, systemic change. This shift allows for more meaningful and focused impact instead of spreading efforts thinly across many specific issue areas, especially when existing organizations are leading excellent work in those areas, and we look to them as our partners.

SCG’s Public Policy Agenda starts with broad guiding principles (“why we do the work”), moves through focused policy priorities (“what we work on”), and narrows in on specific strategies for taking action (“how we do the work”).

Diagram showing how Guiding Principles "Why we do the work" influences Policy Priorities "What We Work On" that influences Strategies "How We Do the Work"

In collaboration with our Public Policy Advisory Committee, our team identifies proposed legislation and regulation, advocacy initiatives, and collaborative projects that impact the philanthropic sector’s work and the communities our members serve. It is extremely important for us to find opportunities to support and progress intersectional policies that have an impact on diverse regions and historically marginalized communities, and to collaborate with partners and SCG peer communities. Advocacy activities include coordinated letter-writing campaigns, individualized stakeholder outreach, public testimony, and the production of amicus briefs, among other efforts. Write-ups of these activities – along with resources, templates, and examples of materials – are housed in the searchable Advocacy Hub. 

Guiding Principles

Mission, vision, and values for our public policy work, aligned with the larger SCG strategic framework. General, big-picture ideas and goals that shape our policy decisions.

  • Utilize our unique position to harness philanthropy’s influence to work toward systemic and institutional change

  • Elevate the intersectional nature of the challenges that philanthropy aims to address and expand the opportunities for funders to have an impact through policy and advocacy

  • Create a more equitable landscape for historically marginalized communities and support the organizations working closely with these communities

  • Increase diversity within the philanthropic sector and uplift new voices and regional perspectives

  • Advance racial and gender equity and justice, and inspire members to shift their actions toward policies that are anti-racist and tackle the root causes of inequities

Policy Priorities

Focus areas that align with the goals of the guiding principles. Systems-level approaches that all funders can participate in regardless of their mission areas. These priorities allow for flexibility and responsiveness to current events.

Strategies

Actions and initiatives that work toward the success of the policy priorities. Concrete measures taken both to empower members to take action and to be a voice that is representative of the SoCal funders community. These strategies are types of actions (trainings, educational webinars, relationship building, etc.) that are specific to each policy priority but not to any one issue area (climate, housing, health, etc.).