The gathering was part of the United Philanthropy Forum’s 21st annual Foundations on the Hill conference, also known as FOTH, where donors and foundations have the opportunity to meet with legislators and government officials in Washington, D.C. to discuss urgent policy priorities.
“It's so important that philanthropy and funders are involved in lifting up and leveraging their voice in D.C. in support of immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers,” said Kevin Douglas, senior director of national programs at GCIR.
GCIR’s delegation, which included GCIR staff and representatives from The Surdna Foundation and Maine Initiatives, joined the event back in February. Together, they met with a diverse range of policy-makers, including officials with the departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, as well as the legislative offices of congressional leaders from across the country.
For some members within GCIR’s delegation, the event marked their first-ever experience in meeting with officials or doing advocacy-related work in Washington, D.C.
“It was definitely a learning curve,” said Martina Leake, who is a program associate at Maine Initiatives. “But it was really great, honestly, to hear the different viewpoints and have a comprehensive understanding of what folks in different offices are thinking about immigration.”
The topics under discussion included key issues often at the center of intense political debates and rhetoric, including asylum access, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the 287(g) immigration enforcement program, and more. And with the highly-anticipated 2024 presidential election on the horizon, foundations are seeking ways to make an impact by supporting immigrant and refugee health, safety, wellbeing, and belonging.