The influence of these foundations is pervasive because they have skilfully developed grant policies that reflect their ideological zeal. This does not mean that advocacy must be divisive and polarizing. Some of the most effective advocacy has the objective of establishing common ground among diverse groups and trying to assure that common values are asserted and articulated. Advocacy should not be seen as a separate area of a foundation's funding interest. Rather, every program area of the foundation should be scanned for advocacy opportunities.
Effective philanthropy demands that such systematic attention be given to the matter.
At an earlier time, a foundation could support its local art museum and not feel that it had to become involved in debates about the importance of the arts in society. Today, however, when the legitimacy of the arts is under attack, the foundation, in order to have an effective arts program, has to be prepared to deal with the larger policy questions. Evolution of Advocacy at Cummings Advocacy was not an explicit part of the strategy of the Nathan Cummings Foundation when we began to shape our grants program seven years ago. But as we developed our grantmaking programs in the arts, health, environment, and Jewish life, we came to realize that advocacy was a necessity if we wanted our grants to be effective. To support a vibrant arts community, we had to support groups fighting censorship and defending public funding for the arts.