Sally Ehrenfried is joined by three South Carolina foundation leaders—Susan DeVenny, Arras Foundation, Katy Smith, Greater Good Greenville, and Molly Talbot-Metz, Mary Black Foundation—to reflect on their experience at Foundations on the Hill and share practical, nonpartisan ways philanthropy leaders can build relationships with policymakers to strengthen their communities.
Listen Now:
Guest spotlight
- Susan DeVenny — President & CEO, Arras Foundation (Lancaster, South Carolina), a health legacy foundation focused on the health and well-being of residents in Lancaster and Chester counties.
- Katy Smith — Executive Director, Greater Good Greenville (Greenville County, South Carolina), working to “multiply the good” of nonprofits, philanthropic funders, and caring community members.
- Molly Talbot-Metz — President & CEO, Mary Black Foundation (Spartanburg County, South Carolina), a health legacy foundation investing strategically to improve community health and well-being.
Key talking points
- Why show up in person: Relationship-building with elected leaders and their staff is more powerful face-to-face, and going together “as a group” adds strength and amplification.
- Policy shapes what philanthropy can accomplish: Even substantial local grantmaking is “a drop in the bucket” compared to community need—so a supportive policy environment is critical to sustaining impact.
- Tell community-grounded stories: Local philanthropy is often small, practical, and rooted in lived experience—stories help policymakers connect the idea of “philanthropy” to real people and problems.
- Examples of philanthropic partnership in action:
- Expanding affordable childcare through cross-sector partnership—nonprofit + school district + business + donors—to add 225 affordable childcare slots.
- Funding swim lessons for every fourth grader through a long-term partnership with the school district and a nonprofit—small investment, lifetime impact.
- Advocacy doesn’t have to be partisan: Start with shared values and areas of alignment (“Venn diagram”), be respectful where there’s disagreement, and listen closely to what leaders and staff are hearing from constituents.
- Relationships create outcomes: Long-term engagement positions you to act quickly when issues arise—like opposing proposed increases to private foundation excise tax that could reduce community investment.
- Practical ways to start: “Make a friend and keep a friend”—invite local officials to coffee, include policymakers in existing communications and events, and find meaningful ways to bring them into the work.
