Since the "devolution revolution"
of the mid-1990s, when the federal government
shifted much of the policy and administration
of social programs to the states, it has become
increasingly apparent that private philanthropy
has a much greater role to play in developing
strategies to address our most pressing social
problems. Although foundations and corporate giving
programs were never designed to fill in the gaps
left by government funding, it is critical that
the private philanthropic sector finds opportunities
to build relationships with the public sector,
be "at the table" when policy priorities
are set, and work with government at the federal,
state and local level to strengthen the quality
of life for all through new and innovative approaches.
Regardless of the size of a foundation's assets
or a corporate giving program's grant dollars,
their strength lies in their ability to create
opportunities, test creative new strategies, and
act with the flexibility that government agencies
typically do not have.
Whatever the cause, whether its funding for the
arts, education, health care or the environment,
more and more grantmakers understand the need
to reach out to policy makers to identify shared
concerns and opportunities for cooperative action.
Grantmakers can play a pivotal role in shaping
public policy by serving as:
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