Several Obama administration officials spoke at the Council on Foundations meeting this week about their interest in working with foundations to fight the nation’s most urgent problems.

While the discussion at the event focused primarily on how foundations can influence the White House, Ralph Smith, chief executive of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, in Baltimore, and chairman of the council, wondered how a closer relationship with government would change philanthropy.

He said that foundations would need to be more agile, confident, and willing to work hand-in-hand with each other.

In terms of speed, he said grant making is usually akin “to giving birth.” The decision to make a contribution can be a “nine-month process” as a staff member makes a recommendation to a chief executive, he or she then deliberates with the board of directors, and finally a decision may be made.

In contrast, the Obama administration is making spending decisions about the economic-stimulus money in a matter of weeks, Mr. Smith said.

He also said that foundation leaders can no longer “mumble” about what they want from policy makers but need to strongly assert their requests and be “more muscular.”