In 2025, community foundations and funded partners alike were united in experiencing the incredible toll that challenging federal policy changes took on the philanthropic sector. From having to stay afloat despite large disruptive federal funding shifts to finding new ways to overcome increasing costs that jeopardized the ability to serve our communities, maneuvering these barriers has left many individuals and organizations uncertain about their long-term financial security and stability. Moreover, for community foundations, these shifts have challenged our independence and threatened our ability to serve the communities that depend on us, requiring us to quickly expand our people-centered, solution-oriented approaches.
In an ever-shifting, increasingly uncertain policy environment, asking what community foundations, like Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF), can do to step up and step in is critical. Thankfully, there are many things we have done and continue to do, from supporting funding for nonpartisan voter and advocacy engagement to connecting decision-makers to nonprofit partners. However, in addition to these acts, engaging in advocacy – the act of speaking up for the most vulnerable members of our communities and championing their needs in the spaces where policy decisions are made – is increasingly necessary. Advocacy plays a crucial role in helping to build a brighter, more equitable future for all, one which foundations must rise to embrace.
Let’s dive into how KZCF and other community foundations are advocating for both the sector and the communities we serve.
Turning Vision into Action
In a critical year for philanthropy and the communities we serve every day, engaging in advocacy with elected officials and government agencies is becoming an increasingly important tool for philanthropic organizations. This year, KZCF joined hundreds of foundations and funders from across 33 states to grow our advocacy network and deepen these skills by participating in Foundations on the Hill 2026.
Our organization received real-time developments on legislative proposals, regulations, and executive actions targeting foundations and nonprofits. We learned how to develop unified, long-lasting advocacy strategies across the sector. We studied how to craft quick, effective legislative meetings that create urgency and interest for decision makers. On day two, KZCF, alongside several Michigan foundation partners, met with our members of Congress to share your stories, our community’s collective story of local innovation and impactful investment countywide.
Adapting to Complex Changes
Government regulation and oversight of nonprofits and philanthropic entities have always existed. However, within the last few years, increasing scrutiny of the sector and engagement in activities that are not aligned with federal priorities have stirred up new legislative and potential regulatory challenges for organizations and funders. Additionally, a lack of clear guidance and implementation on components of H.R. 1 (known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) has created questions and confusion for foundations looking to adequately and accurately support both donors and grantees.
While attending Foundations on the Hill 2026, KZCF saw in real-time continued federal suppression of engagement in DEI initiatives and activities. The introduction of the SPONSOR Act (S. 3942) is legislation designed to create civil and criminal penalties for nonprofit organizations engaging in equity-focused, movement-based or rapid-response work. This legislation also penalizes the fiscal sponsors, like foundations, that support the organizations doing this work. This reflects a growing list of federal challenges and actions that will continue to impact KZCF and our ability to serve the community in the ways only a community foundation can.
Leading When It Matters Most
KZCF understands the important role philanthropy plays in advancing more equitable communities. Engaging in public policy and advocacy can often be part of how philanthropic organizations show up as critical partners. Foundations on the Hill 2026 not only provided KZCF an opportunity to deepen its engagement in advocacy at a federal level, but also provided a space for all attendees to work towards collective action in ensuring the sector can continue mobilizing resources, responding to immediate needs and amplifying the impactful work of our community partners.
We know that advocacy is not a one-week effort. A successful advocacy strategy requires consistent planning, connecting and investing of time. As we continue advancing systems change through policy and advocacy efforts, we invite you to follow along with us!
Want a review of the Foundations on the Hill experience? Check out the #FOTH26 Recap here!
