Florida Philanthropic Network. Building Better Philanthropy to Build a Better Florida.

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FPN Advocacy & Public Policy

Florida Philanthropic Network plays an active role in representing philanthropy in Florida and in advocating on behalf of philanthropy in Florida. FPN focuses its public policy work on the state level, but is also active in representing philanthropy with Florida's congressional delegation.

FPN's Public Policy Principles

Six basic principles drive the public policy work of Florida Philanthropic Network:

Principles regarding philanthropy's right to participate in the public square:

1. Advocate for full participation of foundations, corporate giving programs and nonprofits in public policy dialogue and advocacy that affects their organizations, communities and the people they serve.

2. Recognize and support the role of foundations as stewards of resources for the public good to strengthen and improve the health and vitality of communities and residents.

Principles regarding the philanthropy field and what we expect of ourselves:

3. Encourage charitable giving.

4. Encourage the growth, maintenance and vitality of foundations and corporate giving programs.

5. Promote the ethical disposition of private resources for the public good.

6. Ensure the ability of grantmakers and FPN itself to fully perform their roles as equitable employers.

FPN State Advocacy & Public Policy

FPN Report: Florida's FY 2011-2012 Budget: The Impact on Nonprofits
On May 6, 2011, the Florida Legislature passed a $69.7 billion budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year beginning July 1, down from a $70.4 billion budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. To help our members understand how the budget will impact Florida's nonprofit sector, Florida Philanthropic Network has prepared a summary report of some items in the budget that are of particular interest to Florida grantmakers regarding state funding of the nonprofits that they support. This report is an initial, "first cut" look at the state's budget for the next fiscal year. [Download the Report]

New Report Highlights FPN's Work in Strengthening Philanthropy-Government Relationships
A new report by the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative (PAI) tells the story of how FPN's Statewide Summit on Philanthropy helped accelerate the conversation between philanthropy and state government leaders in Florida. The report, "Not Exactly Retiring in Florida," holds up FPN's cross-sector efforts as a model of how foundations can better engage with influential Americans. PAI is a project supported by five of the nation's largest foundations: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. [Download the Report]

FPN, Florida Attorney General Co-Sponsor Gang Prevention Convening
More than 30 representatives of philanthropy, nonprofits, government, education and law enforcement gathered in Tampa on July 16 in an FPN co-sponsored convening to engage in a cross-sector discussion on how to create effective youth gang prevention and intervention strategies in Hillsborough County. FPN co-sponsored the pilot convening with the Florida Office of the Attorney General and the David C. Anchin Center at the University of South Florida. [Read More]

Convening co-sponsors (L-R) Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum; Katie Ensign, President of Florida Philanthropic Network; and Dr. Bruce Jones, Director of the David C. Anchin Center, University of South Florida

FPN's Katie Ensign Appointed to Florida Advisory Committee on Economic Security
FPN President Katie Ensign has been appointed to a state committee that advises the Florida Department of Children and Families on its provision of safety-net services to Florida citizens - services that have become all the more critical in today's economic downturn. [Read More]

Florida's "Stimulus Czar" Reviews Recovery Act With State' Foundations, Nonprofits
At a June 16 FPN Webinar, Florida Economic Stimulus Special Advisor Don Winstead gave a detailed overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to more than 60 foundation and nonprofit representatives. He described how Florida will receive $14.1 billion over the next three years from the Act, and identified several possible opportunities for private funders to help Florida maximize the federal stimulus dollars it receives. [Read More]

FPN Takes Action to Strengthen Philanthropy-Government Engagement & Partnership
On May 12-15, 2009, Florida Philanthropic Network held grantmaker roundtables in four regions of the state, in partnership with four regional grantmaker groups, to discuss how to continue strengthening the engagement and partnership between philanthropy and state government in Florida. The roundtables continued a conversation which began at FPN’s Statewide Summit on Philanthropy in January 2009. As a result of the roundtable discussions, FPN has mapped out several key strategies for moving forward in its efforts to strengthen philanthropy-government partnerships and engagement in Florida. Read FPN's report on the roundtables and its planned action steps.

FPN Opposes Elimination of Sales Tax Exemption for Florida Nonprofits
During Florida's 2009 legislative session, Florida Philanthropic Network voiced its opposition to a proposal that would have eliminated virtually all nonprofit sales tax exemptions in the state. FPN pointed out that extracting a tax from charities was not the answer to Florida's financial problems, as many nonprofits are struggling themselves during the state’s severe economic recession, facing dwindling financial resources while the demand for their critical services increase. Read FPN's letter opposing the sales tax proposal.