Advocacy in Action

Whether it is organizing a day at the Capitol, creating a resource page, or responding to policy decisions, the role of a state association goes beyond their membership.

This is the first time in NCN’s history that we have filed a lawsuit against any entity, and our first was filed against the White House. I’ve been asked many times since how we did it so quickly, and why. My response has been: If not us, who? Together, we have an obligation to step up and push back against actions that could cause catastrophic harm to the nonprofit sector and the people and communities they serve, and especially so when we can reasonably expect that our actions can prevent such harm. This was just such a moment.

Good advocates know that any bill, regulation, or court decision could greatly affect – positively or negatively – their communities and spread to other state and local governments. Thus, one must have their head on a swivel at all times.

Our society is better today because charitable nonprofit organizations operate as safe havens from the caustic partisanship that is bedeviling our country, places where people can come together to solve community problems.

2025 offers tremendous challenges and opportunities for said mission that will require both luck and success. All of which leads us to the unpalatable task of assigning readings … for the public good.

December 31, 2024, deadline to obligate State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) under the American Rescue Plan Act. On January 1, 2025, billions of unobligated funds will have to be returned to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, meaning that nonprofits will lose access to a funding source to address workforce shortages, decreases in revenue, increases on operating expenses, and other challenges that SLFRF can help address. Missing this opportunity does not have to happen, but action is needed now!

A mantra posted on the walls of several offices at the National Council of Nonprofits reads: “What’s the problem? What’re the solutions? Let’s get them done.” Our colleagues at the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits are living that mantra in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Their actions are a quintessential lesson in Advocacy in Action!

The Jackson County Legislature recently approved a Resolution committing to spending $70.4 million in remaining dollars from the County’s $137 million allocation under the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Many of those dollars will flow to charitable nonprofits.

When nonprofits encourage people to vote, by, for instance holding registration drives, providing information on where to vote, hosting candidate forums, and more, it’s not an empty “feel good” activity. It truly makes a difference when people know they matter.

Now’s the time to be talking to candidates, learning about their priorities, and focusing their attention on the needs of your communities.