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The Rising Tide:
Philanthropy & Volunteerism in the LGBT Community
(click for bio & past articles)

Philanthropy and Political Advocacy

By Jeff Lewy


Philanthropy, as we’ve noted in earlier articles, is a way to support and promote social change.  That change is lasting when it transforms the attitudes of individuals, one at a time, until society as a whole is transformed.

However, philanthropy by itself cannot ensure the implementation of social change.  We need to promote political change as well, so that the attitudes and ideas of the public are implemented widely and promptly.

As someone with philanthropic and charitable feelings, you are probably thinking: “It’s common knowledge that philanthropy is tax-deductible – and that political action isn’t.  So I can’t do anything about politics, because the IRS won’t let me, since political contributions aren’t tax-deductible.”  However, that “common” knowledge has two serious flaws.  

The first flaw is failing to fully participate in the political process, beyond voting.  And you ARE voting, aren’t you?   Remember - political giving is a vital element in electing political candidates who are in tune with current social attitudes and will support the changes you desire. Even though giving to candidates isn’t tax-deductible, it is an important way to see that the changes you value come to pass.  So give to the political candidates and organizations of your choice.  It can be money wisely spent to create and promote social change.

The second flaw is a common misunderstanding about what nonprofit organizations are allowed to do.  It is true that these organizations may not directly support or contribute to political candidates.  But they can engage in political advocacy to promote the social changes they espouse.

What does political advocacy mean?  Plenty!  A short list of activities in political advocacy includes:

•    Lobbying to influence legislation
•    Lobbying to influence decisions by administrative agencies
•    Litigation
•    Research and study
•    Nonpartisan analysis
•    Legislative comment (without a specific call to action)
•    Polling
•    Public education

These activities cover a lot of ground.  Many nonprofits work hard and successfully in all these areas, within the rules and limitations that govern their activities.  These organizations understand their limitations and will be glad to explain what you and they can (and can’t) do to help in the important work of political advocacy.  

In recent years, attitudes held by individuals throughout the country have become more favorable to LGBT people and our rights.  A majority now believes that LGBT couples should have many of the same rights as married couples, even if they don’t want to call it “marriage.”  A majority sees the benefits to society of allowing adoption and foster parenting by LGBT couples, preventing employment and housing discrimination, and ensuring hospital visitation, end-of-life decisions and inheritance by LGBT partners.

However, even if individual attitudes are changed, public institutions must change as well, if those new attitudes are to truly prevail.  Many public institutions are governments, so political activity is required to bring needed changes to reality.  Public acceptance must be translated into laws and administrative procedures before it becomes fully integrated and effective.

In these times when politicians on the right use the LGBT community as a wedge issue to distract voters from the important issues presented at the ballot box, we need to respond strongly to protect ourselves and to educate others not to impose restrictions on us that fly in the face of this country’s long and sometimes halting progress toward justice and equality.

In this sense, “politics” includes all branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial, and all levels of government, from national to local.

Progress has occurred in many ways.  LGBT rights have made significant strides in the judicial arena; just think of the effect of Lawrence v. Texas, which decriminalized sodomy and affirmed our rights of privacy and sexual activity.  And the courts in Massachusetts have affirmed same-sex marriage in that state.

But there are many situations where public acceptance is thwarted by public officials – here in California, San Francisco’s action to affirm same-sex marriage was overturned by the state courts (although that battle isn’t over).  In 2005, the California Legislature passed a bill to make same-sex marriage legal in California – but the Governor vetoed the bill.

We can all think of many examples where the public’s acceptance of social change is not implemented.

So get involved, with your money and your volunteer time.  Consider donating to politicians, political organizations AND to nonprofit organizations that are doing the work for our rights.  And vote, every chance you get - in every local, primary, and general election!

2006 is an election year.  Elections make a huge difference in creating and implementing social change.  Get involved – as a citizen, and as a philanthropist.  Your future depends on it.

Bio & Past Articles

Past Articles

Betty's List Philanthropy & Volunteerism
Columnist Jody Cole

Jody Cole is a donor and philanthropic activist who was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. She moved to the Bay Area in 1984 and lived in San Francisco for 18 years before moving to her ranch in Mendocino County. She has spent the past 15 years focusing on human rights and animal welfare. She also encourages women, especially lesbians, to become more philanthropic.

Jody has supported non-profit organizations, special projects and LGBT candidates for elected office. Her fundraising experience includes serving as Capital Campaign Co-chair for the San Francisco LGBT Community Center Project, helping raise $15 million dollars to build the Center; Annual Giving class agent for her alma mater, Converse College in Spartanburg, SC; and fundraising leader for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, The Human Rights Campaign, Community United Against Violence, Lesbian Health Research Center at UCSF, and Woman Vision's All God's Children project directed by Dee Mosbacher.

She has also raised funds for election campaigns of Assemblywoman Carole Migden; Assemblyman Mark Leno and Hon. Roberta Achtenberg.

Currently, she is the Chair of the Board of Directors for The Pride Alliance Network in Mendocino County. Additional board experience includes Recovering Information Services, Inc. (1994); Resourceful Women (1994-1997); Community United Against Violence (1994-1998), and Community Center Project of San Francisco (1998 2002).

Jody has received numerous awards for her community work.

Additionally, she has served in volunteer and advisory capacities with ICON Newsmagazine, Carole Migden, Horizons Foundation, the Lavender Think Tank for the Reelection of Mayor Willie Brown, Pets In Need, and the Marine Mammal Center. She was co-producer of the Hopland Women's Festival from 1994 - 2004, a well-known women's music, comedy and crafts festival in Hopland, California.

In her spare time, she travels to Africa and has begun leading private trips to Sub-Saharan countries for those interested in a safari experience of a lifetime. Her highest achievement to date is successfully summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (19340') in 1998! She can be contacted at Wild Affair Productions, Ukaih, CA, via e-mail: Wildfair@Aol.com

Contributing Author Bio

Jeff Lewy has been active for more than three decades in the San Francisco Bay Area LGBT community as a donor, board member and activist for LGBT rights.

He is currently a member of the Board of Horizons Foundation, serving as co-chair for the organization's 25th Anniversary Gala.  Horizons is the San Francisco Bay Area's LGBT community foundation.  Jeff also serves on the Board of Continuum, a provider of health care for persons with HIV in the Tenderloin.  He has previously served on the Boards of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library and the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.

Jeff is also actively involved with Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Frontline Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, Equality California and other nonprofits and civil rights organizations.

A thought from Jeff:  "It is clear to me that the elders of our community are my parents, and the youth of our community are my children.  I want to do all I can to see that they have the financial and social backing to be full, happy, productive members of society."

Jeff Lewy can be reached at airbair@aol.com.
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