Building Capacity for Health Advocacy at the State and Local Level
This paper was prepared in conjunction with a strategy session convened by GIH and sponsored by the Missouri Foundation for Health and The California Endowment last fall. It examines philanthropy’s role in advocacy, the various sectors that constitute the field of health advocacy, capacities required to effectively engage in advocacy efforts, ways health funders have facilitated advocacy capacity development, and key issues for future action.
“Where the Rubber Meets the Road” and the Affordable Care Act Fund
On this GIH audioconference, Robert Phillips from The California Endowment, Sara Kay from The Nathan Cummings Foundation and Karen Quigley from Community Catalyst discussed both the report and the Fund and ways that foundations may want to consider them in their work and funding decisions.
Adapting to Change in the Political Landscape of State Government
Results of the recent election have significantly altered the political map for state governments. This audioconference considered the implications of these political shifts for health policy and explored how health funders are responding to changes in the political landscape.
Giving Voice: The Power of Grassroots Advocacy in Shaping Public Policy
Within advocacy work, there exists a wide spectrum of strategies that can be employed to change or shape public policy. Yet, too often, nonprofit health organizations tend to limit themselves to a narrow range of strategies that typically includes education, policy/data analysis, and limited legislative advocacy. While these strategies are important to public policy work, they may not be enough to influence policymakers in today’s increasingly special interest and ideological-driven political system.
Advocacy for Impact – Guiding Grantees to Success
This interactive session explored approaches to determining which advocacy efforts compliment a foundation’s theory of change, guiding nonprofits in the development of plans for successful advocacy, and assessing the soundness of an advocacy strategy presented in a proposal.