Learning from Others -  the Way Networks Work

Pick your cliché, the Advocacy in Action feature of this newsletter is where “the rubber hits the road” and where we feature nonprofits not only “talking the talk,” but also “walking the walk.” For us, it’s not enough just to report what’s going on. In this section of Nonprofit Advocacy Updates, we share the inspiration of advocacy activities by practitioners around the country. Advocacy in Action articles so far this year have featured innovations in the areas of relationship building, messaging and communications, subject-matter expertise, policy development, grassroots mobilization, and more. The articles don’t just end the newsletter on a high note (which they do); they also encourage us (and hopefully you) to identify and learn from everyday advocacy successes that are mission-centered and proof that advocacy works.

Here is a sampling of recent stories of inspiration and tools for advancing agendas:

Recognizing One Good Turn Deserves Another

People know that charitable nonprofits are problem solvers in their communities. That’s why some people choose to work for or volunteer at nonprofits, and it’s why other people turn to charitable organizations when seeking relief, recovery, rebuilding, and rejoicing. So, it is imminently reasonable, though not nearly common enough, that wise elected officials – serving the same constituents as nonprofits – seek to sit down with nonprofit leaders to identify problems, envision solutions, and mobilize to get them done.

Recognizing Advocacy Excellence

EGOT’s got nothing on nonprofit advocates. While entertainers may celebrate receiving Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and Tonys (EGOT), equally important (to us) is the recognition awarded by nonprofit state associations to excellence in nonprofit advocacy. 

Using the Advocacy Tools You Have

The $350 billion in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds aren’t going to spend themselves. State and local politicians need to be reminded that a) charitable nonprofits have performed above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic, and b) charitable nonprofits are still hurting. The new Special Report from the National Council of Nonprofits provides many examples and messaging points for charitable organizations to turn the promise of the federal funds into resources that support organizational and community recovery. In short, the Special Report is a set of tools with which nonprofits advocates can advocate.

Data Development and Public Policy Advancement

If the pen is mightier than the sword, then what are data? Even mightier? Mightiest? We ask the question here, in this section of the newsletter dedicated to highlighting effective nonprofit advocacy, to draw attention to the impact that up-to-date data can have on public policy debates and decision making. We know, for instance, that the nonprofit sector has 733,000 fewer jobs because of the pandemic and that charitable giving last year declined by 7% for smaller nonprofits. The power of data is why the National Council of Nonprofits Letter to Congress at the top of today’s newsletter used those two data points. So, what other data are out there for nonprofit advocates to mine for persuasive points to drive policy?

Thanks for reading. More great stories to come. Keep up the impressive advocacy work. Our communities are counting on you.