Study Analyzes Advocacy Support

Liberal non-profit groups in California are hampered by a lack of foundation support for their public-policy work, says a new report.

The report, published by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, a watchdog organization, is intended to be the first in a series of studies about grant makers´ support for advocacy work around the country.

The California study is based on interviews with leaders of eight foundations and 73 advocacy groups — all of which consider themselves to be progressive. It found that too few grants to such groups are for general operating support and that most of the grant money goes to a small number of the biggest charities, instead of being spread among many different grassroots organizations.

The report concludes that foundations should increase their long-term financial support for policy work and general operating support, invest in statewide strategic planning for public-policy groups, and provide training to organizations that want to become more involved in influencing public policy.

Copies of the report, A Democratic Landscape: Funding Social Change, are available for $25 each, prepaid, from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, 2001 S Street, N.W., Suite 620, Washington 20009; (202) 387-9177.