Guest post by Jeannie Fox, deputy director of public policy at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Early risers to this morning’s first session of the Public Policy Action Institute titled, "Building Authentic Left-Right Coalitions" were treated to a conversation as stimulating as the Starbuck’s coffee being served. Three panelists, aided  by a skilled facilitator, attempted to outline the goals, process and rewards of building diverse coalitions of unlikely allies.

Read more...

Guest post  by Christina Kuo, senior public policy and public affairs director, of the Michigan Nonprofit Association.

Yesterday, I attended an engaging Public Policy Action Institute session with Mark Pacella, chief deputy attorney general of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, on the role of state attorney general as the state charity official. 

Mark's concern around social media and fundraising is a valid concern because the role of the Attorney General's office in a state is to be the legal advocate for the citizens of that state. Although, offices like Mark's are charged with regulating charitable trusts and organizations, nonprofits should not view them in a adversarial manner, but as a partner to ensure that citizens and organizations that are following the law are protected from the bad actors. They are looking for partners and nonprofit experts to help them update regulations so they are not burdensome and/or ineffective.

Read more...

Guest post by Danielle Hirsch, director of advocacy of The Chicago Bar Foundation

The topic of the first session for the 2011 Public Policy Action Institute was, as always, provocative and engaging.

The two speakers, Rob Reich, co-director for Philanthropy and Civil Society at Stanford University and Evelyn Brody, professor of Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law spoke to the many challenges facing the nonprofit sector.

Read more...

We are thrilled to have some outstanding participants at this year’s Public Policy Action Institute. 

Here are just some of the names of the people who have agreed to share their wisdom with us in Chicago, October 29-30:  

Read more...

The Chronicle of Philanthropy gave the our conference a nice recommendation this spring when it stated… 

"If you want to lead a foundation, getting onto a (search) firm's radar can represent a coup. Savvy individuals might introduce themselves at an Independent Sector meeting..."

Read more...