A blog post by Robin Mockenhaupt, VFN’s Director, Policy & Advocacy
We hope to see you at Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) 2025! The annual event will be held February 23-26 and is the cornerstone event where philanthropy and the nonprofit sector meets with federal policymakers, including our own Virginia delegation. At this pivotal moment, funders of all sizes can present a strong, collective voice on Capitol Hill. Whether you have previously been to FOTH or if you are new to the event and to advocacy, this is an opportunity to shape policies that affect communities here in Virginia and around the U.S.
More about the event
The FOTH agenda includes pre-conference sessions, a day of programs to learn and be inspired with other funders, and two days of visits to elected representatives on the Hill, as well as the opportunity to meet with administration officials. Registration is now open, and there is an early bird special rate until January 31st.
Why participate?
You might wonder what FOTH has to do with the work happening in your community. Participating in this event helps you learn more and helps you develop skills about how to shape the policy conversations that affect the issues you care about. It also allows you to develop relationships with the staff who work in – and for – your part of the Commonwealth. It is an opportunity for you to share the stories and experiences of what your organization is doing to address community needs and networking with other funders in other states allows you to learn from and share with others.
Some of the contacts I previously made at FOTH I continue to be in touch with over the year. As a new administration comes to Washington, it is a good time to meet and renew relationships that can help your work.
Join us!
I have had a good experience at FOTH in years past and would welcome a group of Virginia funders to be in attendance. The opportunity to network and learn together with funders of all sizes about what issues philanthropy and nonprofits are focused on is incredibly valuable – I have always brought back several ideas to use in my work that year. The agenda is carefully structured to help you learn, be prepared, and feel comfortable before you visit Hill offices (and you can just attend the educational sessions if you don’t want to make Hill visits). Last year we made five visits to Hill offices- including both Virginia Senators (Sen. Kaine and Sen. Warner) – and Rep. Beyer, Rep. Spanberger, and Rep. Wexton. The visits are targeted to the interests and geographic locations of those who attend, so if you participate this year, we will reach out to your US House Representatives to try and schedule a meeting.
For the past several years, VFN has partnered with Philanthropy Southeast (PSE) to coordinate scheduling with Hill visits, and we are happy to do this again in 2025. There are a few pre-FOTH webinars sponsored by PSE to help you understand the event and know what to expect. The first is intended for newer attendees and the second will be a policy and messaging update for all registrants. You can register for these webinars now by clicking on the webinar links below.
Why You Belong at Foundations on the Hill
(10:00am ET on Thursday, January 16)
https://www.philanthropysoutheast.org/PROGRAMS/Event-Info/sessionaltcd/250116-WEBINAR
What You Need to Know at FOTH 2025
(12:00pm ET on Wednesday, February 5)
https://www.philanthropysoutheast.org/PROGRAMS/Event-Info/sessionaltcd/250205-WEBINAR
If I can answer any questions you have about participating in FOTH, please reach me at robin@vafunders.org. I hope to see you there!
