Southern California Grantmakers 2015 Public Policy Conference

DRAFT AGENDA: Engaging Communities to Amplify Philanthropic Impact

April 13, 2015

8:00 am to 3:00 pm

The Center for Healthy Communities

8:00-8:45Registration and Breakfast Networking

8:45-9:30Welcome, Introductions, & Opening Keynote

Wendy Garen, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and Chair, Board of Directors, Southern California Grantmakers

Chris Essel,President and CEO, Southern California Grantmakers

Opening Keynote by SupervisorHilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

9:30-10:30 OPENING PANEL: FROM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO SYSTEMIC CHANGE

Starting from the issues that are most important to you and your target communities, how can community engagement be part of your grantmaking toolbox? In this panel, we’ll learn about what funders can and can’t do – and how to deliberately deploy the strategies of community engagement to mobilize people for deep systemic impact.Panelists will also discuss the challenges and implications low voter turnout has on Southern California and how philanthropy can work to reverse this trend.

  • Nan Aron, President of Alliance for Justice
  • Efrain Escobedo, Vice President of Civic Engagement and Public Policy, California Community Foundation
  • John Kim, Executive Director,Advancement Project, California Office
  • Christine Margiotta, Director of Housing Stability, United Way of Greater Los Angeles
  • Dr. Raphael J. Sonenshein, Executive Director, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs

10:45-11:45PANEL DISCUSSION: COLLECTIVELY MAKING A DIFFERENCE

In this dynamic conversation, explore why civic participation is a key ingredient to creating systemic change for impoverished communities, and how working in partnership across issue, race, and geographic lines can create greater impact for the low-income families and children.Cathy Cha, lead convener of the California Civic Engagement Funders, will moderate a panel of leaders whose work exemplifies smart collective impact through unusual partnerships, organizing across race lines, and engaging young people for civic participation.

  • Cathy Cha, Lead Convener, California Civic Engagement Funders, and Program Director for Immigrant Rights and Integration, Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
  • Maria Brenes, Executive Director, Inner City Struggle
  • Reverend Sam Casey, Executive Director, Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement
  • Mary Anne Foo, Executive Director, Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance
  • Marcos Vargas, Executive Director, Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy

11:45-1:20Lunch with Keynote Address: Austin Beutner, Publisher and CEO of Los Angeles Times

Introduced by Representative of Bank of America

1:30-2:30Breakout Sessions

Advocacy: The Do's and Dont's for Foundations

Rose Chan, Of Counsel, Rodriguez Horii Choi & Cafferata

William Choi, Partner, Rodriguez Horii Choi & Cafferata

There are specific definitions and rules that should frame any advocacy efforts your foundation undertakes. What is the difference between lobbying and political campaigning? What advocacy can you do and how much can you do? How do the lobbying regulations apply to private foundations versus public charities?

Explore these questions and others through discussions of hypothetical scenarios your foundation might encounter.

Special Corporate Philanthropy Breakout

Ruben Gonzalez, Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Political Affairs, LA Area Chamber of Commerce

The corporate philanthropy sector is often hesitant about getting involved in advocacy with legislators, the public, or employees, even on issues they support through grantee partners. How can a corporation know when it’s okay to engage in advocacy? When is it legal to encourage employees to get involved in civic engagement or advocacy work?

Explore examples of how the corporate sector can participate in legal, effective advocacy and civic engagement efforts, including recent work in support of Proposition 47. You’ll also hear perspectives from your corporate colleagues and get an update about the education investment mapping project that was proposed at SCG’s corporate breakout session last year.

Movement Building 101

Jennifer Ito, Program Manager, Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, USC

Learn why and how grassroots organizing and movement building can be part of philanthropic investments to achieve long-term social and policy change in Southern California and beyond.

A Deeper Dive with Conference Speakers

Join small table discussions with a selection of speakers from the day’s panels to get in-depth on some of the issues that inspired you or sparked more questions!

2:30Networking “Sundaes on the Plaza”

3:00Adjourn

The Lawyer is In:
The Lawyer is In: Attorneys from Alliance for Justice's Bolder Advocacy initiative will be available throughout the day to provide consultations on the rules of foundation and nonprofit participation in advocacy around public policy and elections. (Note: AFJ will provide resources and guidance for informational purposes only. Consultations do not create an attorney-client relationship.)

11/4/2018 11:02 PM