Training

Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers – September 2025

The Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers course will help foundation staff use their resources effectively to advance public policies that support the greater good. This training is designed for private foundations staff with a basic understanding of policy, but it is also applicable for staff at all experience levels whose work touches policy advocacy.  

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Date & Time

Tuesday, September 16: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, September 17: 1:00-5:00 pm ET

Location

Live Virtual Zoom Meeting-No Recordings Provided

Cost

Council Members = $480
Nonmembers = $650
Group Rate for Council Members Only (5-7 people from the same organization) = $415 per person

Trainings are designed to be taken individually at a personal workstation, not in a group setting. Registration rates are per person. Group rates are for Council Members that send 5-7 people from one organization, each person must be registered individually to attend. Email educate@cof.org to register a group.

Led by Council on Foundations staff and philanthropic leaders, this training will address policy advocacy strategies that support racial equity and effective practices. Participants will gain helpful tools and resources while networking with peers who are developing and implementing their foundation’s advocacy strategy.

Training Hours

Tuesday, September 16: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, September 17: 1:00-5:00 pm ET

Participants will explore the following during the course:

The Big Picture

Why engaging in policy advocacy is essential for foundations to achieve their goals
A refresher on legal rules governing grantmaker funding and actions
Inside the Foundation: Understanding staff roles and how to build internal support

Building understanding and support across the foundation for policy advocacy engagement

How different staff roles across the foundation can support advocacy
Characteristics of grantmaking that support effective policy advocacy
Outside the Foundation: Working with others to advance policy

Using all a foundation’s assets to advance policy

Funding vehicles that support effective policy advocacy
Building an effective relationship with nonprofit partners and grantees to advance advocacy
Appropriate evaluations of partner contributions
Real-life Challenges and Action Planning

Who Should Attend

Private foundation staff with a basic understanding of policy work.
Foundation staff of all experience levels that incorporate policy advocacy into their work - such as those in leadership, communications, grants management or strategic planning.

Please note, this course is limited to foundation staff and Board members only.

Cancellation Policy

All registration cancellations must be submitted in writing to educate@cof.org. All cancellation refunds before August 16, 2025 will incur a 25% administrative fee per registration. No refunds will be provided after August 16, 2025.