A blog post by Robin Mockenhaupt, VFN’s Director of Policy & Advocacy
2026 is off and running and today we share multiple policy and advocacy updates on state and federal levels, including information on Foundations on the Hill (#FOTH26), the philanthropic sector’s annual public policy conference.
Virginia Updates
Virginia General Assembly is Underway
The 2026 session convened last Wednesday, and bills are being discussed in both chambers on issues that VFN Members care about, including economic development and mobility, affordable housing, education, child care, and health care. In addition, four state constitutional amendments have been introduced, which must be passed twice and then decided by voter referendum. They were already passed during last year’s session and during a special session in October, and will be passed to voters later this year. Three of the amendments would add new rights to the Virginia Constitution: the rights to abortion and other kinds of reproductive care, to same-sex marriage and to voting rights restoration for people with felony convictions without specific action by the governor. The fourth proposed amendment would refocus on mid-decade redistricting, and a special election would be held on April 21 to allow voters to decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow a mid-decade redrawing of Virginia’s congressional districts.
Individual lawmakers also are teeing up changes they would like to see in Virginia’s next two-year budget; a milestone will come when the House and Senate money committees release their full budget proposals. The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) will host a webinar on February 5 at 12 pm to share their budget analysis shortly after proposals are released. For more information on this webinar and to register, click here.
On January 29, VFN will co-sponsor its first Nonprofit Advocacy Day at the General Assembly, along with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE).
To stay up to date on the session, you can download the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) General Assembly mobile app, and track the bills and issues being discussed and voted on during the session.
Executive Branch Updates
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed 10 Executive Orders on her first day, focused on affordability and fact finding with federal cuts. Her cabinet appointments are now mostly complete.
Federal Updates
Responding to Federal Enforcement Surges
On Thursday, February 5 from 12 – 1 pm, the United Philanthropy Forum (UPF) is sponsoring a timely seminar on Learning from Philanthropy Infrastructure Organizations (PIO’s) responding to federal enforcement surges. Learn how philanthropy can organize and prepare for potential federal actions in local communities. Drawing on real-time experience from Minnesota and other states, this session will surface key lessons learned and field-informed recommendations for supporting communities affected by federal enforcement surges. Participants will gain insights to strengthen preparedness, respond strategically, and deepen philanthropic engagement where it is most needed. This seminar is open to VFN and its Members. To learn more and register, click here.
UPF’s Foundations on the Hill 2026
After a year of rapid policy shifts and heightened scrutiny, Foundations on the Hill 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for coordinated action and social sector power building. Philanthropy needs to be at the table to help shape the advocacy strategies that protect philanthropic independence. This is the philanthropic sector’s annual public policy and advocacy conference, and this year’s theme is “Advancing Philanthropy’s Independence. Strengthening Community Well-Being.” It convenes foundation leaders, philanthropy-infrastructure organizations, and sector advocates for policy-focused learning, strategic dialogue, coordinated engagement, and advocacy opportunities. Expanded offerings in 2026 include pre-conference sessions, keynote presentations, breakout sessions, expert panels, and structured networking opportunities. The meeting will be held from Monday, March 16 – Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Salamander Washington, D.C. The Early Bird conference rate ends Friday, Feb 27. The hotel deadline at the Salamander D.C. closes Monday, Feb 16. Registration is currently open.
Last year our Virginia delegation visited the offices of both of our Senators Kaine and Warner, as well as multiple House of Representatives offices from VFN Member districts. Please join us this year for peer learning and for individual visits to Hill offices for you to develop and build relationships with your federal elected officials. VFN and our wonderful partner Philanthropy Southeast will coordinate meetings with your respective Congressional offices (Senators and Representatives). Several VFN Members have already registered, and I hope you will join us. To learn more and register, click here.
Whether this is your first visit to FOTH or you have visited many times, this four-day conference experience intentionally helps you learn, connect, reflect, and engage. With policy and regulatory shifts and narrative pressures facing philanthropy, this is one of the most consequential advocacy moments in recent memory.
Questions? Please contact Robin Mockenhaupt, VFN Director of Policy and Advocacy, robin@vafunders.org.
We hope to see you at FOTH 26!