GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE [EFFECTIVE: DECEMBER 2015]

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1 CO-CHAIRS: STAFF CONTACT: SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY: Sarah Duniway Gray, Plan, Mooty Dominic Papatola Otto Bremer Trust Bob Tracy, Director of Public Policy and Communication or (cell) MCF engages in public policy as a means to advance and create the changes envisioned in its mission, vision, values and strategic plan. The public policy goals describe the long-term vision for the impact of MCF s public policy activities. These goals include: (1) Expanding philanthropy, charitable giving and Minnesota s community of grantmakers, and (2) Creating a more prosperous, inclusive and equitable Minnesota by eliminating disparities. MCF s public policy activities are broadly defined to include advocacy to identify and promote opportunities for change and lobbying to influence specific legislation, regulations or administrative actions. MCF represents its collective membership through direct engagement in public policy activities. MCF supports its members independent public activities through capacity building. Public policy positions adopted by MCF are the positions of the Council and not of its individual members. MCF adheres to all state and federal laws and restrictions related to participating in lobbying and engaging in political activities. MCF encourages and supports its members in adopting principles and practices that also adhere to these federal laws and restrictions. The Government Relations and Public Policy Committee s primary responsibilities include: Evaluating proposals and recommending actions to the MCF Board of Directors related to public policy positions. The committee annually recommends action on the Annual Advocacy Agenda. The committee periodically recommends Board action on matters related to the Legislative Statement and Leadership Initiatives. Evaluating proposals and recommending actions to adopt or revise MCF s Policies and Procedures for Government Relations and Public Policy. Providing consultation and advice to MCF staff to support planning and implementation of government relations and public policy activities and member services, including planning and implementation of the MCF Government Relations and Public Policy annual work plan. The MCF Policies and Procedures for Government Relations and Public Policy guide the committee s work. The chair is designated by the MCF Board of Directors. The chair works with staff to plan, organize and facilitate the work of the committee. The chair may designate a vice chair. Members are appointed by the committee chair. The committee is comprised of MCF members. Representatives from community stakeholders that share an interest in MCF s public policy work may be appointed to the committee. The chair and members participate in MCF advocacy and member service activities, and also provide leadership to encourage MCF member involvement. The committee adopts an annual work plan and schedule to guide its work. The committee may form task forces to support its work. The committee annually reviews and adopts its job description and job descriptions for its task

2 forces. MEETING SCHEDULE: The committee typically meets four to six times annually, in January, February, March, June, August, September and November. TERM OF SERVICE: 1 year, renewable annually each January EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT: Meetings: 2 or 3 hours each PLAN ON INCLUSIVITY As part of the Council s Policy on Inclusivity, the Government Relations committee will monitor public policies on a local, state and federal level that impact philanthropy and inclusive practices both as a grantmaker and employer. It will also recommend positions for board consideration as warranted. The Committee will also monitor emerging work in public policy engagement of members, especially where it relates to disparities. If public policy engagement efforts can be enhanced through inclusive practices the committee will work with the Program and Information Committee to consider implementing the following activities: Convene explore educational opportunities and member briefings around disparities work. Identify examples/best practices from member grantmakers that are doing work around diversity and public policy. Share learning s and stories with members and other stakeholders. 2

3 WORK PLAN Priorities for 2016 PRIORITIES Transition from policy development to impact with focus on democracy policy, development of [2016] disaster response initiative and advancing Endow Minnesota. Expand MCF member engagement in public policy and civic engagement activities. Address development of public policy work through MCF s strategic planning process. Policy & Program Focus Committee - Identify new leadership and membership, and make adjustments to the committee process. Shift focus from developing policy agenda to advancing recently-adopted policies and assessing impact. Policy - Advance democracy and voter participation policy by organizing and increasing MCF member engagement as advocates and grantmakers. Use FCCP (Funders Committee for Civic Participation) national conference in Minnesota in May as an organizing tool. Advance disasters preparedness, response and recovery policy by organizing a network MCF members to assess opportunities for state policy development and whether or not this should become an MCF policy leadership initiative. Advance Endow Minnesota as an initiative to expand charitable giving and community endowmentbuilding. Support federal tax reform that promotes increased charitable giving and philanthropy as a valued and essential to a thriving democracy, with inclusion of provisions of the 2014 America Gives More as a minimum standard for any reforms. Review policy statements and positions scheduled to sunset in December Programs & Services - Re-position the Policy Connections Institute as a leadership program for MCF members who have completed the Grantmakers for the 21 st Century, CEO Circle or first year of Ron McKinley Fellowship cohort learning experience. Provide a public policy leadership event for MCF board, GR PP Committee, network co-chairs and members who have an interest in advocacy and public policy. Incorporate advocacy and public policy into all MCF programs. Increase visibility of public policy in MCF communications. Improve public policy resources available through MCF s new web site, and collect information about member Congressional and state legislative districts and policy and issue interests as part of member profiles in new database. 3

4 MEETING January 15, 2016 Committee Meeting SCHEDULE FOR Housing Issue Briefing 10 am to McKnight Foundation 2016 Issue briefing about low income housing to introduce topic for possible policy development. This event is being co-sponsored with the McKnight and The Saint Paul Foundations and will be open to all MCF members. Regular Committee Meeting 12:30 pm to 2:30 McKnight Foundation Introduction of new members and leadership, orientation to MCF public policy process. Follow-up discussion on low-income housing issue briefing. Review MCF and committee work plan for 2016 and key impact indicators. Preview of 2016 legislative and Congressional sessions and identification of any issues not on MCF s 2016 annual advocacy agenda that may require special attention. Lunch will be available. February 19, 2016 Committee Meeting Conference Call 1 to 2 pm Address any issue that may require action in advance of the 2016 legislative session. If no action is needed, this conference call may be cancelled. March 18, 2016 Committee Meeting Retreat 9 am to Location TBD Deep dive into the key issue priorities on the 2016 advocacy agenda (i.e. democracy, disaster relief, Endow MN) and keynote about why and how grantmakers should engage in public policy and advocacy. The retreat will be open to GR PP Committee members, MCF board members, MCF network leaders and by-invitation to other MCF members who have an interest in public policy and advocacy. June 17, 2016 Committee Meeting Regular Committee Meeting 1 to 3:30 MCF Follow-up discussion to FCCP conference. Initial consideration of recommendation for low-income housing policy statement and positions. Report on MCF strategic planning. Check progress on impact indicators. August 19, 2016 Committee Meeting Conference Call 1 to 2 pm Report on GR PP Committee co-chairs/staff 2017 planning meeting. (Co-chairs and staff to hold 2017 planning meeting during the week of August 8.) If no action is needed, this conference call may be cancelled. September 15, 2016 Committee Meeting Regular Committee Meeting 1 to 3:30 pm Initial consideration of recommendation for possible leadership initiative addressing disaster response. Initial consideration of additional policy positions and initiatives to increase impact on democracy and civic engagement. Final action (if required) on new policy statement related to low income housing. Discuss MCF and committee work plan and key indicators for November 18, 2016 Committee Meeting Regular Committee Meeting 1 to 3:30 pm Issue briefing about expectations for 2017 legislative and Congressional sessions. Final action (if required) on disaster response or democracy and civic engagement policy positions. Adopt 2017 annual advocacy agenda. Year-end celebration reception. 4

5 OTHER Foundations on the Hill ACTIVITIES OF April 12 to 14 Washington, D.C. INTEREST MCF participates in this annual philanthropy advocacy event in Washington, D.C. and coordinates activities for Minnesota grantmakers who chose to attend the event. Funders Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP) Conference Conference - May 23 to 25 Saint Paul MCF is the local host for the conference. MCF will encourage grantmakers who are members of the GR PP Committee or who have an interest in democracy and civic engagement to attend this conference by sharing the cost of registration. The conference is also likely to include a keynote event open to all MCF members. MCF is the local host for the conference. Forum of Regional Grantmakers / PolicyWorks Conference Conference August 29 to 31 Chicago Annual public policy and advocacy capacity-building workshop for staff and public policy committee members from regional grantmaking associations. Registration costs are covered. Members must pay for travel and lodging. 5