By Kristi Heim
Seattle Times
October 1, 2010
Advocacy is a growing part of the work of philanthropy, and groups in the Northwest have seen a significant return on investment for their efforts, according to the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.
It's also a unique strength of the region, said Aaron Dorfman, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based organization that measures philanthropy's impact on public needs. Dorfman was in Washington state this week to discuss a study his group has done of 20 community organizations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
Their efforts are creating lasting changes in local and state government policies and programs that benefit the poor, he said.
