By Chasity Cooper on behalf of Exponent Philanthropy

We share a recap from “Politics and Philanthropy: The Here and Now,” a session held during  Exponent Philanthropy 2014 National Conference. Panelists included Diana Aviv of Independent Sector; Aaron Dorfman of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy; Jonathan Greenblatt of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civil Participation; and Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy. 

Politics and philanthropy. Two subjects that differ markedly yet depend on the other to work effectively for our society’s citizens.

What is the current landscape of laws and tax benefits, and how does it impact the world of philanthropy? What steps can philanthropists take to make their voices heard by government officials?

“The work that we do at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy doesn’t focus on how policy affects organizations and institutions,” said Dorfman, “but asks a bigger question: How well do we in philanthropy leverage our limited dollars to really incite change in the world? The truth is, the government has enough revenue to play its proper role in society, but nonprofits and charities must be encouraged to look at the bigger picture rather than just focus on their specific causes.”

Palmer agreed. “There’s a growing frustration among both public officials and charities to solve social problems, but both have to be willing to work collectively solve them,” she said. “Foundations have the ability to (and should) help the government do better. Policymakers feel as though they don’t hear from philanthropic organizations enough, and that’s because they simply want to know the depth of what we do.”

Aviv encouraged those in the room to leverage their relationships with public officials in order to voice what matters to their constituents. “Simply showing up isn’t a strategy,” Aviv said. She encouraged philanthropists to take a long view, focusing on building relationships with legislators rather than on a single piece of legislation.

All panelists agreed that both politicians and philanthropists have the same goal in mind: to decrease society’s inequality. But that change won’t come without collaboration.

Greenblatt explained that the Office of Social Innovation identifies what works; scales and measures successful strategies; and sustains success by establishing market-based models to encourage business to give back to local organizations. “When grants dry up and the government steps back, we need for the economy to step up,” he said. “We’re looking to philanthropy to catalyze certain social ideas and challenges.”

“Everyone must practice ‘responsible philanthropy’,” Greenblatt said. “I challenge you all to go back to your respective organizations, develop a 10-point plan on what’s important to you, and talk to policymakers about it. That will demonstrate your commitment to becoming better stewards, and challenge the government to adequately play their role in making it happen.”

See also: The Awkward Fit of Politics and Philanthropy (Nonprofit Quarterly’s live blog from the 2014 National Conference)

Chasity Cooper is a Washington, DC-based communications professional and avid writer passionate about the millennial generation. Follow her on Twitter @chasityscooper.