The Lawyer Is In
Nayantara Mehta
Senior Counsel, Alliance for Justice, West Coast Office
Daren Garshelis
Counsel, Alliance for Justice, West Coast Office
As a grantmaker, are you exercising every opportunity under tax law to advance your philanthropic goals? Two leading attorneys from the Alliance for Justice will be available throughout the day to answer questions and provide direct consultation* regarding foundation participation in public policy and advocacy. Alliance for Justice will answer your questions on:
- how your foundation can support grantees that lobby and engage in other forms of advocacy;
- how you and your grantees can structure election-year activities to ensure you remain nonpartisan;
- how to pursue advocacy avenues open to all philanthropic organizations--public, private or other; and
- many more advocacy-related issues.
*Although attorneys, Alliance for Justice representatives are not able to provide formal legal advice, and consultations do not create an attorney-client relationship. They are able to provide resources and guidance for informational purposes only.
A Conversation on Governance and Civic Engagement in the Golden State
Pete Peterson
Executive Director, Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership, Pepperdine University
Kathay Feng
Executive Director, California Common Cause
Victor Abalos
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications, California Forward
Dr. John E. Deasy
Superintendent of Schools, Los Angeles Unified School District
In his keynote address, Superintendent of Schools for the Los Angeles Unified School District Dr. John E. Deasy will share his perspective on how government and philanthropy can continue to build bridges and merge efforts to serve the needs of our communities. The superintendent will provide insights into the critical work ahead for the Los Angeles Unified School District as well as ways for philanthropy to strengthen access to quality education through grantmaking strategies. Formerly deputy director of education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Deasy’s experience in both the philanthropic and public sectors will provide fresh thinking on the role that philanthropy can play in education advocacy and policy.
Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate Forum
In compliance with IRS regulations, we have developed non-arbitrary criteria for participant eligibility in the Mayoral Candidate Forum.
Moderator: Warren Olney
Candidates:
Austin Beutner
Civic Leader
Councilmember Eric Garcetti
Los Angeles City Council
Wendy Greuel
Los Angeles City Controller
Councilwoman Jan Perry
Los Angeles City Council
Kevin James
Attorney and Former Co-Chair, AIDS Project Los Angeles
Los Angeles will welcome a new mayor in May 2013, marking a new era for the city. How will the next mayor support the efforts of our philanthropic and nonprofit sectors? KCRW's Warren Olney will moderate a discussion among the Los Angeles Mayoral candidates on issues of critical importance to philanthropy and nonprofits. Candidates will discuss their goals for the city, perceptions of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, cross-sector solutions and key issues such as education, social services, unemployment and city infrastructure.
California's Budget: Where Are We Headed and What Can Funders Do?
Christian Griffith
Join an interactive session with Christian Griffith, chief consultant to the Assembly Budget Committee. Griffith is responsible for directing the Assembly’s budget process, including crafting the $85.9 billion State General Fund. He will provide an update from Sacramento and what it means for grantmakers tomorrow and the coming months.
Funding Advocacy: Tricks of the Trade
Maria Brenes, EdM
Shane Murphy Goldsmith
Randall Miller
Rashad Robinson
Whether you are a small or large foundation, family foundation, private independent foundation, or managing a corporate social responsibility program, there are a range of ways that you can leverage your social investments by engaging in advocacy. In a series of rapid round-table conversations, learn from experienced grantmakers and nonprofit partners engaged in this work. Facilitated by Shane Murphy Goldsmith with Liberty Hill Foundation, this session is meant for new and seasoned grantmakers. Discussions will introduce new ideas for funding advocacy and assessing advocacy work within your grant portfolio.
A Focus on Elections as a Lever for Change
Moderator: Sandra Martínez
Marqueece Harris-Dawson
Nonpartisan voter engagement is a powerful tool that can help any organization build a more effective base to advance their mission--even during the 2012 election season. Activities such as voter mobilization, voter protection and leadership development can be combined with advocacy, communications and coalition building to build lasting power for underrepresented communities. Learn about guidelines for funding election activity and strategies to support grantees and empower communities to vote.
Staying Current: National and State Laws Governing the Charitable Sector
Lois Fu
The charitable sector and the laws that govern it are a matter of keen public debate. Recent discussions about the charitable deduction as well as Congress’ move toward a multi-year look at the tax code have significant implications for our sector. At the state level, lines between the charitable and for profit sectors are being blurred, while nonprofits face rising demand for services and decreasing revenues. Engage with two experts who have been working at the state and national levels in support of our sector’s work.
Move Your Issue: How to Evaluate Advocacy
Gigi Barsoum, PhD, MPH
Founder, Barsoum Policy Consulting
Many foundations and nonprofits recognize that effective advocacy demands a focused approach to evaluating these efforts. In this session, you will participate in the interactive game Move Your Issue, which will deepen your knowledge about the evaluation strategies needed to advance change through advocacy.
Luke Tate
Senior Advisor for Urban Policy, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Ruben Gonzales
Senior Advisor, The Center for the Study of Social Policy
The federal government has piloted various programs that leverage public and philanthropic dollars, as well as the impact of large scale public-private partnerships. Hear from two leaders of the White House’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative--which coordinates strategies to address the needs of distressed communities across federal agencies. Learn about new opportunities emerging from the federal government and ways to be involved in collaborative efforts to leverage new public investments in Los Angeles.
