Last week, members of the Connect U.S. Fund community gathered to discuss the Obama administration's progress so far in moving towards more responsible U.S. global engagement - as well as the challenges the advocacy community faces in the months and years ahead.

Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg began the day with remarks describing the lay of the land for the new administration on key national security challenges. He discussed administration actions on human rights, nonproliferation, climate change, and building civilian capacity. The Deputy Secretary noted that the administration shared many of the objectives of the Connect U.S. Fund community, but made clear that this broad agenda would require sustained engagement over time.

Foreign Policy in Focus co-Director Emira Woods (center) moderated a panel of leading advocates from a variety of issue areas to discuss specific policy wins, significant challenges, and areas of cross-issue concern. Gillian Caldwell of 1Sky, John Isaacs of the Center for Arms Control and Non-proliferation, Elisa Massimino of Human Rights First, and Samuel Worthington of InterAction provided insight into priority items in each of their issue areas.

Stephen Heintz, president of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, sat down with Eric Schwartz, executive director of the Connect U.S. Fund, for an open conversation about promoting responsible U.S. global engagement in the current political and economic environment.

Beth Grupp of Beth Grupp Associates concluded the day with a seminar about raising money in difficult financial times. Her presentation emphasized that fundraising is about matching potential donors with causes they care about and want to support. Beth gave advice for expanding donor networks, effectively using a nonprofit board of directors, and making personalized appeals to potential givers.