Alliance for Justice and Council on Foundations Release New Publication, Words to Give By: Leading Voices in Advocacy Funding

November 20, 2008, Washington, DC—In today’s uncertain financial climate, people everywhere have been forced to reevaluate their budgets and foundations are no exception. With less money available to support their program work, many foundations are looking for ways to target their grants in order to make them as effective as possible. With that in mind, Alliance for Justice (AFJ) and the Council on Foundations are proud to announce the release of a new, free publication called Words to Give By.

“AFJ has long believed that the best way to address inequity in our society is to fund organizations that address its root causes,” said Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron. “Words to Give By illustrates the critical principle that organizations not only provide services to those in need, but also advocate on their behalf, often providing the best long-term solutions to some of our nation’s most pressing issues.”

Featuring interviews with some of today’s leading experts in philanthropy, including Gara LaMarche of Atlantic Philanthropies, Luz Vega-Marquis of the Marguerite Casey Foundation and Linetta Gilbert of the Ford Foundation, Words to Give By is not only an invaluable resource to any grantmaking institution, but a telling look at the decision-making processes at some of the nation’s most successful foundations. Using specific case studies to illustrate the importance of funding advocacy campaigns, the experts featured offer their stories as an engaging and personal look at the value of investing in social change and grantmaking activities.

“Just to echo what some of the experts are saying is that if you believe in serving the common good—which is the mission of philanthropy—then we must engage in advocacy,” said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. “We are not suggesting foundations and/or non-profits engage in traditional political work. Rather, to us advocacy is education. If we can simply educate the public and the policy makers about the challenge, we are convinced the right things can happen.”

CLICK HERE to order multiple free copies of Words to Give By: Leading Voices in Advocacy Funding

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Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a national association of environmental, civil rights, workers’ rights, mental health, women’s, children’s and consumer advocacy organizations. AFJ works with and on behalf of its members to safeguard the fairness of our public policy and judicial systems. Since its inception in 1979, AFJ has worked to help ensure that the concerns of ordinary Americans, and the voice of the public interest community, are heard. Learn more at www.allianceforjustice.org.

The Council on Foundations, formed in 1949, is a nonprofit membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. Members of the Council include more than 2,100 independent, operating, community, public, and company-sponsored foundations, and corporate giving programs in the United States and abroad. The assets of Council members total more than $307 billion. The Council’s mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good. Visit the Council’s Web site at www.cof.org.