Public Policy Programs
MCF's Public Policy Programs help you increase the impact of your grantmaking. Issue Briefings and other MCF programs connect what's happening in public policy to what you are working on through your grantmaking. We connect you with elected officials through such events as Coffee with Congress and Foundations on the Hill. You can increase your advocacy and public policy knowledge while also developing Minnesota grantmakers' shared advocacy agenda as a member of MCF's Government Relations and Public Policy Committee.
MCF Government Relations and Public Policy Committee
Learn about advocacy and public policy while helping shape Minnesota grantmakers' shared advocacy agenda as a member of MCF's Government Relations and Public Policy Committee.
Issue Briefings
Public Policy Issue Briefings introduce MCF members to emerging state and federal issues. These briefings are presented as part of MCF’s regular Government Relations and Public Policy Committee meetings in support of the committee’s deliberations to develop MCF policy positions. These meetings are open to all MCF members and can also be access via video conferencing. Watch for postings in MCF's calendar.
Foundations on the Hill
MCF staff participates in the annual Foundations on the Hill advocacy event in Washington, D.C. MCF uses the FOTH visits to deepen relationships with Congressional staff so we can have a real impact when quick action is required to advance policies that promote philanthropy and charitable giving. MCF partners with the United Philanthropy Forum and others to participate in FOTH. To get a complete sense of what happens at FOTH check out the Forum website for FOTH here.
Coffee with Congress
As important as it is to connect with elected officials in Washington, D.C., it is just as important to meet with them in their home districts and to get to know their district staff. Coffee with Congress is a series of home town forums where you can present your questions and share information directly with your Congressional representative. Coffee with Congress events get the views of Minnesota's whole independent sector before Minnesota's Congressional delegation through a hosting partnership between MCF, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Greater Twin Cities United Ways and United Ways of Minnesota. Coffee with Congress forums occur throughout the year and throughout the state, but you need to read your MCF Notes and watch the MCF event calendar for notices because they "pop up" on the schedule in response to the fast paced, short notice nature of the Congressional calendar.
Coffee with Commissioners
Coffee with Commissioners is similar to Coffee with Congress, but it is focused at meeting with state level commissioners. You can present your questions and share information directly with Commissioners that oversee areas of interest to your mission. Coffee with Commissioners events get the views of Minnesota's whole independent sector through a hosting partnership between MCF, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Greater Twin Cities United Ways and United Ways of Minnesota. Coffee with Commissioners forums occur throughout the year, generally in the metro area, and you will need to read your MCF Notes and watch the MCF event calendar for notices because they also "pop up" on the schedule, sometimes with little notice.
Other Program Opportunities
MCF is a member of the Funders Committee for Civic Participation, a national network of grantmakers committed to strengthening democractic process in conversations about assuring the success of the 2020 U.S. Census, protecting every community's ability to participate in decisions that affect them and their community life, and other policies that are key to a strong and functioning democratic system.
MCF participates in the United Philanthropy Forum's PolicyWorks Institute.
Learn More
For more information contact Katina Mortensen, Director of Public Policy, at 612.335.3597.