Community foundations have a unique capacity to promote upward mobility through policy advocacy and address deep-rooted barriers to economic success, dignity, and equity within their communities. As stable, place-based institutions, they are well-positioned to drive systemic change that improves people’s lives. By engaging in policy, community foundations can manage complex issues that require collaboration across sectors. However, challenges such as funding constraints and political considerations can limit their ability to create impact, making structured support essential.

This toolkit provides community foundations with a five-step model for effective policy advocacy: (1) preparing to engage in advocacy by assessing readiness and setting goals; (2) defining specific problems and identifying policy solutions; (3) understanding the policy environment to navigate local political landscapes; (4) drafting a clear, actionable policy change agenda; and (5) building a campaign to implement the selected policy change. By following this model, community foundations can create informed, sustainable strategies that leverage their resources, local connections, and independent status to drive policy changes that advance upward mobility. The toolkit also shares case studies, showing how community foundations across the country are making meaningful local impact by outlining policy priorities that address local economic and social issues.

The toolkit was developed by the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Initiative through collaboration with community foundations actively engaged in advocacy work. Drawing on best practices and real-world insights, it presents a flexible, five-step model that is adaptable to different community needs and political contexts. Community foundations can use worksheets and resources in the toolkit to assess their readiness, shape policy priorities, and build campaigns, regardless of their starting point in the advocacy process.