New NCRP Survey Maps Funding Landscape for Metropolitan Washington Area Public Policy Advocacy Groups

9/8/2003

From: Sloan C. Wiesen of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, 202-387-9177 or sloan@ncrp.org; http://www.ncrp.org

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- Though often overshadowed by their more prominent national counterparts, local and regional public policy advocacy groups in the nation's capital are doing vital work while struggling for adequate and appropriate foundation funding. That is one of the central findings of a new report issued today by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), a reform and research organization that works to improve philanthropic effectiveness for disadvantaged Americans.

"Strategic philanthropy to fund nonprofit public policy advocacy can make tremendous progress in addressing pressing social problems," said NCRP Executive Director Rick Cohen. "Direct service is crucial - but it must go hand in hand with support for the kind of public policy advocacy that can leverage lasting change."

With the support of Washington Grantmakers' Community Capacity Fund, NCRP surveyed local and regional advocacy groups in the metropolitan Washington area, and complemented that research with follow-up interviews of funders.

"We hope this report will help illuminate recommendations from funders and nonprofit advocates themselves about how limited philanthropic resources can more effectively be deployed for advocacy to create positive social change at the local and regional level in metropolitan Washington," added Cohen. "It is issued as a starting point, to help funders and grantees move forward in addressing some of the obstacles to advocacy funding and to advocacy itself - and to begin to formulate solutions."

NCRP's new report - "Advocacy for Social Change in Metropolitan Washington" - can be viewed online at http://www.ncrp.org and print editions can be ordered from NCRP for a cost of $25 per copy ($12.50 for current NCRP members, free to journalists). Credit card orders can be placed by calling NCRP at 202-387-9177. Otherwise, checks or money orders should be made payable to NCRP and mailed to the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, 2001 S Street NW, Suite 620, Washington, DC 20009. Purchaser's name, address, organizational affiliation, phone, fax and e-mail address, as well as the name and quantity of the desired publication, should be included to ensure proper processing.

Founded in 1976, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy is dedicated to helping the philanthropic community advance the traditional values of social and economic justice for all Americans. Committed to helping funders more effectively serve the most disadvantaged Americans, NCRP is a national watchdog, research and advocacy organization that promotes public accountability and accessibility among foundations, corporate grantmakers, individual donors and workplace giving programs. For more information on NCRP or to join, please visit http://www.ncrp.org or call 202-387-9177.