Now that the General Assembly session has begun in Richmond, it’s a good time to think about other policy and advocacy activities for the year. Here are a few updates and opportunities for VFN members to engage in the first half of 2024.
Foundations of the Hill (FOTH) 2024
Please join me in Washington, DC for the 21st Foundations on the Hill, being held February 25 – 28. This annual meeting is the largest public policy conference devoted to the philanthropic sector, is sponsored by the United Philanthropy Forum, the Council on Foundations, and the Independent Sector. It is an opportunity for VFN members to connect, learn, network, and advocate for the philanthropic sector and those issues you care about. There are two parts to FOTH:
- The first part is an opportunity to learn and connect, in pre-conference programming on Sunday, February 25 and Monday, February 26. An Advocacy and Leadership breakfast will also take place on Tuesday morning, February 27. Events will take place at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC.
- The second part includes Advocacy Days and Capitol Hill visits on Tuesday, February 27 after breakfast, and Wednesday, February 28. I will help with scheduling meetings for you on Capitol Hill with Members of Congress, committee staff, and government officials at federal agencies.
To register, click on this link for more information.
Philanthropy Southeast has two FOTH-related webinars in the next month, which are open to both members and non-members. On January 17 at 2 pm, they are sponsoring a webinar called “Why You Belong at Foundations on the Hill 2024.” If you are not sure whether you are ready to sign up for FOTH, this webinar is for you. On February 14 at 10 am, the session on “What You Need to Know at FOTH24” will help you prepare for your participation at FOTH.
Please contact me (robin@vafunders.org) if you are interested in participating in either part of FOTH 2024. We’ll pull our “Virginia Delegation” together during the FOTH meeting and may connect with other regional philanthropy-serving organizations in our area. I hope to see you there!
Update on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
The Department of Treasury and IRS extended the comment period for the proposed regulations regarding donor advised funds to February 15, 2024.
As you may recall, in November, Treasury released the first in what is expected to be a series of long-awaited regulations interpreting the statute that codifies DAFs, which Congress enacted in the Pension Protection Act of 2006. United Philanthropy Forum has created a resource page for the proposed regs.
May Annual Conference in Richmond
At VFN’s 3rd Annual Conference May 6-8, we are planning a breakout session on policy and advocacy. Topics to be covered in the session include a post-General Assembly update, information on a regional partnership on policy with other philanthropy-serving organizations like VFN, and an opportunity for you to provide feedback about your interests in policy and advocacy. If you would like to be involved in planning this session, please contact me (robin@vafunders.org).
To view the recording of the pre-General Assembly Legislative Briefing held earlier this month, click here.
