The Role of Collaboratives in

Policy and Advocacy

The Alliance for Early Success Philanthropy

Engagement Project State Partners

March 11, 2019

PEP Goals and Objectives

Increase the number of foundations

supporting advocacy for young children at

the state level

Increase the amount of money foundations

invest in advocacy for young children at the

state level

Advocacy Continuum:Strategy and Action

RESEARCH ADVOCACY TRUSTEE ENGAGEMENT

There is no wrong place.

There is only your foundation’s place.

Texas Education Grantmakers Advocacy Consortium

Jennifer EsterlineTexas Education Grantmakers Advocacy ConsortiumMarch 11, 2019 State and Local EC Funder Collaboratives Meeting

The Consortium was designed to:

Protect, promote and improve public education in Texas through effective state level policy and advocacy

Serve as a resource and thought partner to policymakers

Provide objective credible data to lawmakers and education stakeholders

Restore the role of philanthropy as a funder of innovation, not just replacer of state cuts

What is TEGAC’s Purpose?

Foundations at the Capitol: Here to Stay!

How Do Work Groups Function?(June 2017 – June 2019)Consortium determines four priority areas

Individual foundations “sign up” for one or more work groups (Commitment of time and resources/opportunity to be lead funder)

Credible research set priorities for policy reform

Work group members select diverse partners to promote research-based agenda through advocacy

Texas Legislature and policymakers respond to proposals in 2019

School districts/nonprofits implement new statutes (or not)

2017 Policy Research

Center for Public Policy Priorities: Consequences of the Texas Public School Funding Hole: 2011-2016

Texans Care for Children: Ensuring the Success of HB 4 & Texas Students

TNTP: Effective from Day One: Teacher Perspectives on their Preparation

The Bush School of Government and Public Service, TAMU: The New Shape of Texas High School Education

www.tegac.org/research

2019 Policy Research Center for Public Policy Priorities:

- Consequences of the Texas Public School Funding Hole: 2011-2016

- Get Schooled Serie: Facts on Texas Public School Finance

Teach Plus Texas:

- Evidence of Excellence: Using Data to Elevate Teacher Preparation in Texas

- Prioritizing Education, Prioritizing Texas: Teachers’ Views and Recommendations on School Funding;

- Smart Start: Mentoring for New Teachers Benefits Kids

Texans Care for Children:

- Next Steps for Pre-K: A Survey of School Districts’ Pre-K Priorities and Challenges

- Pre-K Works

The University of Texas at Austin: Understanding the Student Experience to Improve Pathway Tools and Policy

www.tegac.org/research

TEGAC Partners at Work During the 85th

TEGAC Partners at Work During the 85th

New Mexico Philanthropy Engagement Project

Katie Dry, Director

Santa Fe Baby Fund

Santa Fe Community Foundation

New Mexico Early Childhood Funders Group

June 28, 2016

R.T. Keeler Foundation

Overview of Activities

• Identify policy platform

•Pool funds at Santa Fe Community Foundation

• Issue RFP and make mini-grants to unusual messengers

•Train grantees and usual messengers

Philanthropic Advocacy in Action!

• 2016: $1.8 million for home visiting• 2017: Medicaid Home Visiting Pilot• 2018: 14% increased EC appropriation;

Child Care Accountability Act

Legislative Successes

Current Efforts• Statewide Early Childhood Business Plan

• Statewide community conversations to vet the business plan

• Research and polling

• Gubernatorial Campaign: “Elevating Early Childhood”• Governance

• Workforce Development

• Program Expansion

• EC Caucus

• New Department of Early Childhood Care and Education

NC Early Childhood Funders CollaborativeMARCH 11, 2019

Collaborative evolution• Big tent approach – 20+ funders invited

• Slow and steady progress

• Timeline:o First meeting in September 2016

o Contributed funds in November 2017

o Hired project manager in March 2018

o Hiring project director in March 2019

Mission/VisionMission: We are a group of NC-based funders who bring the collective voice and resources of philanthropy together to promote the development and sustainability of a comprehensive early childhood system that benefits all children, families, communities and the workforce in North Carolina.

Vision: North Carolina’s children arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed and meet expected growth by the end of third grade.

StrategyWorking together, these foundations will leverage our human and financial

capital to:

1. Advocate for infrastructure, governance and policies

2. Be a resource to policymakers and stakeholders for current research

3. Collectively contribute ideas, research and resources

4. Expand awareness of organizations and programs

5. Build public will by engaging government, business, community and philanthropy

6. Support alignment with existing efforts

7. Seed collaboration in the field

Early advocacy steps• Aligned mission statement with NC Pathways

• Conducted survey of members

• Co-funded racial equity work

• Presentation from lobbyist at start of session

• Co-funded research on home visiting

• Co-funded coalition work

• Serve on Think Babies NC leadership team

•Forming workgroups

Advocacy Continuum Small Group Discussion

RESEARCH ADVOCACY TRUSTEE ENGAGEMENT

• From your place on the policy/advocacy continuum,

what do you want to do next?

• Are there barriers?

• What do you need to move forward in this space?