Private and public foundations can play an important role in advocacy by engaging in advocacy themselves and funding their grantees to advocate on their issues. After this workshop, your foundation will have a clear understanding of the kinds of advocacy activities you can safely engage in and best practices for grantmaking to give your grantees the most flexibility under the law for their advocacy efforts. Not sure how to make the case for funding advocacy? Uncertain whether you can fund grantees that lobby? Wondering whether your public or private foundation can speak out on a particular issue? This training answers these questions and more!

- Why public and private foundations should support advocacy;
- An overview of activities that constitute advocacy and public policy work;
- Various advocacy roles for foundations;
- The tax code’s definitions of lobbying;
- Activities that are exceptions to the definitions of lobbying, including those which private foundations can engage in;
- Rules for private and public foundation grants to nonprofits that lobby, including general support, specific project, and multi-year grants; and
- Grant agreement language that permits support for policy work.

The workshop is designed for foundation staff and trustees.

 Investing in Change: Foundation Support for Advocacy & Lobbying

Leading Inclusive Organizations through Policy, Reflection, and Growth

Inclusive organizations are built through caring communities, constructive policies, and engaging reflection. This session will use a case study to see how creating inclusive policies within an organization can help resolve workplace and youth conflicts. Attendees will have time to work with others to reflect on policies they have at their organization that address youth needs, leave gaps, and review procedures for addressing conflicts.

This webinar is part of a 4 part series hosted by OUT Maine and The Onion Foundation. These 

 are designed for participants who have already completed an OUT Maine cohort or have comparable expertise. Explore new, specific topics that build upon the skills you’ve already learned. These workshops are a great option for previous cohort participants who are looking to continue learning in community. 

Advanced Workshops are capped at 50 attendees. Open to any Maine nonprofit professional.

Contact OUT Maine with questions at program@outmaine.org

This virtual session for Maine nonprofit professionals will use a case study to explore how inclusive policies within an organization can resolve workplace and youth conflicts. Attendees will work peer-to-peer to reflect on their organization's policies and review procedures for addressing conflicts. 


Leading Inclusive Organizations through Policy, Reflection, and Growth - Advanced Webinar with OUT Maine

How do we connect our inclusive policies to action? The 

 recorded that only 35.7% of high school students saw adults in their school address conflict and bullying in a positive way to help students (2025). To better address bullying, negative language, and conflict in our programs, this session will focus on how gender can become a tool of separation and oppression through personal and narrative reflections. Additionally, attendees will practice interrupting bias through role-play using the IQEE model (interrupt, question, educate, echo). Attendees will leave this session with practice in interrupting different forms of bias, reflection on how gender can be celebrated, and guidance on how to empathize with the gender diverse experience.

This virtual session for Maine nonprofit professionals will explore how gender can become a tool of separation and oppression, using personal and narrative reflections. Attendees will practice interrupting bias through role-play using the IQEE model (interrupt, question, educate, echo); reflect on how gender can be celebrated; and receive guidance on how to empathize with the gender diverse experience.
