When foundations choose to make grants to symphony orchestras, they are, by implication, asserting the importance of classical music and inviting others to share that perception and support such music. They are putting into practice their belief that the arts are essential to the well-being of the community, a proposition that many people are contesting today. When foundations give their money to the local hospital they are asserting the importance of making sophisticated health care readily available to all members of the community. They are inviting others to join them in this charitable pursuit. We believe that this is a time in the nation's history when such advocacy is more important than ever.
Advocacy touches on the very essence of the democratic process.
The American Cancer Society, for example, can hardly do its job if it does not take an advocacy stance with regard to cigarette smoking. The powerful and effective advocacy of the cigarette companies needs to be counterbalanced by opposing views. Since the ties between smoking and cancer are now well-documented, the Cancer Society would be shirking its responsibilities if it did not try to see this scientific understanding reflected in public policy. Some of the most important social and political achievements over the last 50 years were helped by plain, clear advocacy efforts. Similarly, the environmental movement, supported by foundations, helped to establish the network of protective measures that have done much to reduce environmental damage and are now under attack.