Philanthropy & Advocacy: A Virtual Legislative Action Day Series

May 12 and 13, 2021

Presented in partnership with OneStar Foundation,

Philanthropy Southwest, and United Ways of Texas

Registration: $65 for Members & Non-members*

*Non-members will be asked to create a profile in order to register for the series. The creation of this profile allows registrants to be contacted with access information. 
All sessions of this event will be recorded and distributed to registrants. 

Day 1 - Wednesday, May 12

• • Session 1 “Advocacy 101: Demystifying the Legislative Process and Empowering Your Organization” - 1pm- 2pm
    • Your non-profit, donors and clients are important, and grassroots advocacy is an effective way to enact change!  Learn how and why to engage on behalf of your organization, how to find your Texas legislator or Congressional representative, how to make the initial outreach, and how to prepare and make the most of your meeting.
      • David Lofye, Strategic Public Affairs Consultant – David Lofye Consulting and Marie Arcos, EVP, Government & Community Affairs for YMCA-Houston

       

  • Session 2 “The Texas Nonprofit Sector: Economic Impact, COVID-19 & Building a Collective Voice” - 2:15pm - 3:45pm 
    • Nonprofits play a significant role in our communities and in our state’s economic landscape.  In this session, United Ways of Texas and OneStar Foundation will empower you and your organization to stand for your mission (and community). Presenters will share key sector data, including a look at how COVID-19 has impacted the sector in Texas, discuss the importance of building a collective voice on nonprofit issues, and highlight advocacy steps you can take to raise your voice on behalf of Texas nonprofits.
      • Sarah Richards, Director of Community Affairs – OneStar Foundation and Molly Weiner, Director of Nonprofit Engagement – United Ways of Texas
         
  • Session 3: “How Foundations Engage in Advocacy” - 4pm - 5pm 
    • Foundations can and should engage in and support nonprofit advocacy.  Foundations are constituents, have compelling stories to tell, can inform legislative actions,  provide vital funding, and can help protect and strengthen the nonprofit sector.  Learn how foundations can ensure a favorable legislative and regulatory environment for the communities they serve and how nonprofits can lean on their foundation partners for advocacy grants and other critical support.

• • • • Jennifer Esterline, Vice President of Education Policy and Regional Development for Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and Natalie Ossenfort , Director of the Texas Office of Alliance for Justice

Day 2 - Thursday, May 13

• • Session 4: 
    • “Understanding the Texas Legal, Political, and Regulatory Landscape as it relates to Non-Profits” - 9am - 10pm 
      • Learn about key policy, legislative, and regulatory issues that are top-of-mind for our non-profit sectorin Texas.  This session will provide valuable information for your organization and inform prospective meetings with elected officials.
        • Colette Vallot, founder and managing partner of Entré Strategic Partners and United Ways of Texas

• • Session 5:  “AFP Global: National priorities, programs, initiatives and plans for 2021 and beyond” - 10:15am   
    • As the largest association of charitable fundraisers in the world, AFP seeks to educate the public about the fundraising profession and the importance of philanthropy. We work to protect the interests of fundraisers, charities, and donors related to laws and regulations impacting giving, volunteering, and nonprofit operations in the U.S., Canada, and abroad.  In this session, you will learn more about national regulatory and legislative issues affecting our sector now and how we can collectively empower our organizations to effect change.
      • Adrienne Longenecker, CFRE, Executive Director for Colorado River Alliance and an AFP Global Board Member serving as Vice Chair of External Relations, the division which oversees the U.S. Government Relations Committee, the AFP US Political Action Committee Board of Directors, and the Marketing & Communications Committee.
      • Michael Nilsen, Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Public Policy for AFP Global