Together SC seeks to harness the collective power of its member organizations who are advancing the greater good through public policy and advocacy efforts by establishing an Advocacy Allies network to facilitate peer to peer engagement and amplification of members' voice.

To learn more, watch this short video from our Advocacy Allies Facilitator, GP McLeer.

Purpose

  • To help Advocacy Allies participants learn together and address the unique challenges and operating concerns that advocacy organizations face.
  • To inform and guide Together SC's advocacy efforts on behalf of the sector.
  • To help advance state legislators’ understanding of the nonprofit sector and issues of importance.
  • To engage philanthropic partners in collaborative advocacy efforts.

   

Participation 

  • The initial priority will be to engage Together SC’s nonprofit and philanthropic member organizations who undertake significant state level public policy and advocacy work, (i.e., organizations that take the H election on their IRS form 990). 
  • Outreach will focus on senior level professional staff responsible for state level policy work. 
  • Staff of Together SC member organizations are invited to join this peer network for free.  Sign up here
  • Advocacy Allies Directory

   

FY23 Objectives

  1. Provide input into and offer support for Together SC’s public policy priorities
  2. Host periodic zoom calls for Advocacy Allies to provide peer to peer sharing of knowledge and expertise
  3. Engage leaders of nonprofit subsector advocacy efforts
  4. Offer Advocacy Allies opportunities to build relations with state elected officials.

  

Scheduled Events

  • September 14, 2022 - Nonprofits & Elections (virtual)
  • November 15, 2022 - Post-Election Debrief (Columbia - Details TBA)
  • February 17, 2023 - Legislative Preview (virtual)
  • Spring In-Person Networking (TBA)

  

Leadership Structure

  • Each year Together SC will invite a diverse team of experienced advocacy professionals to help lead the Advocacy Allies. They will be responsible for program planning and providing overall direction for the Advocacy Allies.
  • They may be invited to represent the sector by attending key advocacy events together with Together SC as the opportunity arises.
  • They will be asked to participate in periodic planning calls and an annual planning meeting. Together SC will aim to fully staff Advocacy Allies efforts.

Advocacy Allies Leadership Team

Chynna A. Phillips

Chynna A. Phillips

Senior Director of Policy and Research, Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC

Chair

Sally Ehrenfried

Sally Ehrenfried

Principal, Government Relations, Blackbaud

Blackbaud, Advocacy Allies Sponsor

Nancy Lee

Nancy Lee

Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity South Carolina

Naomi Lett

Naomi Lett

President / CEO, United Way Association of SC

Michelle Mapp

Michelle Mapp

Equal Justice Works Law Fellow, American Civil Liberties Union of SC Foundation

Bernie Mazyck

Bernie Mazyck

President & CEO, SC Association for Community Economic Development

Saraí Meléndez

Saraí Meléndez

Advocacy and Public Policy Director, Hispanic Alliance

Jamie Moon

Jamie Moon

President, Institute for Child Success

Emilee O'Brien

Emilee O'Brien

Director of Advocacy, United Way of the Piedmont

Katy Smith

Katy Smith

MSW

Executive Director, Greater Good Greenville

Chris Steed

Chris Steed

Executive Director, Fullerton Foundation

John Tynan

John Tynan

Executive Director, Conservation Voters of SC Education Fund

Ann Warner

Ann Warner

CEO, Women's Rights and Empowerment Network

Together SC Board Member

GP McLeer

GP McLeer

Partner, Pecan Public Relations

Speaking Together Coordinator

Madeleine McGee

Madeleine McGee

President/CEO, Together SC

Together SC Staff Liaison