Public Policy
The Forum’s mission is to lead, strengthen, and inform a national network of organizations that advance philanthropy's impact for the common good. In order to carry out that mission, the Forum recognizes the critical importance of substantial engagement in the public policy process.
A Leading Voice For The Sector
As the largest and most diverse network in American philanthropy, United Philanthropy Forum leverages the power of our collective network to lead in public policy and advocacy, promoting a strong philanthropic sector and advocating for vibrant, healthy, and equitable communities.
This sustained approach allows the Forum to lead and advocate on behalf of the sector while addressing systemic inequities and identifying practical public policy solutions that catalyze a just and equitable society where all can participate and prosper.
The Forum's policy work also strengthens relationships and partnerships between philanthropy and government. By leveraging the power of our broad network, the Forum:
- Serves as a leading and unified voice for the philanthropic sector;
- Impacts legislation, regulation, and public policy at the state and federal levels via strong advocacy and engagement strategies;
- Provides a platform and support for members’ participation in the public policy/advocacy process;
If you have any questions about the Forum’s public policy work, engagement with elected officials, or sector public policy resources, please contact Matthew L. Evans, the Forum’s Senior Director of Public Policy.
Our Public Policy Focus
Our public policy work involves promoting a strong sector and advocating for equitable solutions to issues that impact the communities we work with and in. In an effort to guide this work, the Forum releases a set of Public Policy Principles every two years in alignment with the seating of a new Congress.
The 2023-2024 Public Policy Principles, listed below, establish an agenda that serves as a guide for the Forum's public policy engagement during the 118th Congress.
- Champion Racial Equity + Justice
- Support Fair Tax Policy + Regulation
- Enhance Charitable Giving
- Defend & Strengthen Democracy
- Promote Civic Engagement
- Strengthen the Nonprofit Sector's Impact
Learn More About Our Public Policy Principles for the 118th Congress
Using the Principle policy areas, the Forum has identified specific legislative and regulatory priorities for 2024, of which a few key issues are featured below.
Engagement Touchpoints
The Forum’s member-driven public policy work is comprised of three principal components that help implement an active strategy: Strong Member Engagement, Impactful Government Relations, and Strategic Public Policy Partnerships.
Forum Advocacy Action Center
Take action on important issues via our advocacy center powered by Voter Voice. From pre-written template letters on key policy issues to tools to find Members of Congress, sector leaders and advocates may use the action center to help bolster the impact of the Forum network's advocacy efforts.
Events
Policy + Advocacy Resources
The Forum advances our mission by supporting public policy and advocacy capacity building for PSO members, their foundation members, and the broader sector. To bolster network and sector capacity, the Forum designs resources to provide the tools and information needed to be impactful and influential sector leaders and advocates.
On May 6th and 7th, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS hosted hearing in response to comments it received on proposed DAF regulations. United Philanthropy Forum Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans joined over 30 different speakers and testified during the hearing.
In response to the recent comments the U.S. Department of the Treasury received on proposed DAF regulations, the department released a notice of hearing on “proposed regulations regarding excise taxes on taxable distributions made by a sponsoring organization from a donor-advised fund (DAF), and on the agreement of certain fund managers to the making of such distributions.” On Monday, April 29th, Treasury published the agenda and list of confirmed speakers who will participate in the hearing, including Forum Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans.
Listserv compilation about a legislative tracker for PSOs on their website.
A bipartisan group of 33 House Ways and Means members wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging reconsideration of the IRS' proposed donor-advised funds (DAFs) regulations.
A key policy issue for the Forum is Donor-Advised Funds.
On May 6th and 7th, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS hosted hearing in response to comments it received on proposed DAF regulations. United Philanthropy Forum Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans joined over 30 different speakers and testified during the hearing.
In response to the recent comments the U.S. Department of the Treasury received on proposed DAF regulations, the department released a notice of hearing on “proposed regulations regarding excise taxes on taxable distributions made by a sponsoring organization from a donor-advised fund (DAF), and on the agreement of certain fund managers to the making of such distributions.” On Monday, April 29th, Treasury published the agenda and list of confirmed speakers who will participate in the hearing, including Forum Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans.
Listserv compilation about a legislative tracker for PSOs on their website.
On May 6th and 7th, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS hosted hearing in response to comments it received on proposed DAF regulations. United Philanthropy Forum Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans joined over 30 different speakers and testified during the hearing.
In response to the recent comments the U.S. Department of the Treasury received on proposed DAF regulations, the department released a notice of hearing on “proposed regulations regarding excise taxes on taxable distributions made by a sponsoring organization from a donor-advised fund (DAF), and on the agreement of certain fund managers to the making of such distributions.” On Monday, April 29th, Treasury published the agenda and list of confirmed speakers who will participate in the hearing, including Forum Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans.
A key policy issue for the Forum is Donor-Advised Funds.
On May 6th and 7th, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS hosted hearing in response to comments it received on proposed DAF regulations. United Philanthropy Forum Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans joined over 30 different speakers and testified during the hearing.
In response to the recent comments the U.S. Department of the Treasury received on proposed DAF regulations, the department released a notice of hearing on “proposed regulations regarding excise taxes on taxable distributions made by a sponsoring organization from a donor-advised fund (DAF), and on the agreement of certain fund managers to the making of such distributions.” On Monday, April 29th, Treasury published the agenda and list of confirmed speakers who will participate in the hearing, including Forum Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans.
A bipartisan group of 33 House Ways and Means members wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging reconsideration of the IRS' proposed donor-advised funds (DAFs) regulations.
Ahead of the 2024 election, United Philanthropy Forum partnered with Nonprofit VOTE on the newest edition of the Philanthropy for Voter Engagement Toolkit.
A key policy issue for the Forum is Voting Rights.
Philanthropic and Charitable Sector letter to Congress in support of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.