Introduction: Working with Government

For grantmakers who work extensively with government, the rationale goes something like this: If we really want to address the biggest social problems or meet the most pressing community needs, we’ve got to think strategically about what government can do, how philanthropy can contribute, and how we can forge relationships that catalyze action, leverage resources, and ensure continuing support...As one funder observed, “Foundations are seeing the value of government” and recognizing that working with government offers opportunities to “address problems in comprehensive ways, rather than spending money by ourselves and ignoring the underlying problem that is perpetuated.”