Policy & Advocacy Fund
In the current uncertain federal funding and policy climate, nonprofits and vulnerable communities face significant negative consequences that are only expected to increase with current legislation.
Policy and advocacy work will play an increasingly important role in determining state and local outcomes, and legal and lobbying efforts may be able to impact the federal context. We’ve heard from nonprofit partners that the loss of federal funding and the expected loss the next several years will be devastating for their work and those communities they serve.
Our team of staff are deeply engaged in the metro Atlanta community and have built trust across sectors. We know funding from philanthropic sources will not be enough to fill the gaps left by federal funding. We have a collective opportunity to leverage our status to advocate for increased funding and favorable legislation at the state and local level. We also have a commitment to lift up those voices that are not heard, those impacted but often silenced.
Impact
Types of grants/programs
The Policy & Advocacy Fund will provide primarily flexible, unrestricted grant dollars to support nonprofit coalitions working on policy and advocacy efforts at the local, state, and/or federal level responding to changes in the federal funding and policy environment. Eligible coalition activity would include: direct advocacy with elected and administrative public sector leaders, coalition building, convenings and data collection/research in support of advocacy agenda as established by partners.
Funding is expected to be primarily granted to coalitions that focus some or all of their work on Georgia's most vulnerable populations, who have been already or will be significantly impacted by changes the federal administration has made. Those could include, but is not limited to: immigrants, refugees, children, families and youth, and those experiencing housing, healthcare and/or food insecurity. Funding is expected to be used to support both coalition backbones and partnering entities.
Given today’s polarized and fraught political environment, it is helpful and critical to work together on advocacy efforts vs separately because:
- It provides more leveraged and aligned resources to groups who desperately need it and will use the dollars impactfully; and
- Provides mutual safety, support and accountability from a funder perspective.
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is uniquely positioned to lead this work in partnership with our donors.
Please note: Grantmaking from this fund is by invitation only.