Advocacy in Action

Hands-on guide on how to advocate with local and state officials to secure what’s remaining of quickly disappearing State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Policymakers are well advised to take note: they need to see how much they and the constituents they represent depend on us all daily.

Charitable nonprofits can, should, and do advocate for their missions year-round.

This article is part of an occasional series encouraging nonprofits to use the powers that they already have to advance their missions

Next time you wonder if time spent filling out another survey is worth it, consider the impact your information can have in informing and influencing people. Completing a survey means that your story gets told, sheds light on challenges, helps develop solutions, and can even determine whether legislation or regulations get drafted in ways that are most beneficial to your mission.

The founding organizations of the Team Up Project have joined together in recognition of the need to foster service and human connection, particularly when faced with rising polarization, causing deepening divides between individuals and communities.

Nonprofits have to create their own opportunities through effective advocacy. Accessing the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and earmarks are examples of how advocacy can prompt government support.

Late last year, the Census Bureau proposed changes to its American Community Survey’s questions on disabilities. The backlash was swift and profound.

Congress may be on the verge of enacting a package of tax breaks that would help low-income families and many businesses, but currently fails to include restoration of the non-itemizer (universal) charitable deduction, a major priority of the nonprofit sector.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that legislative victories, while important, are only the beginning of the process to make real progress. Advocates must turn quickly to implementation, education, and evaluation to ensure the law lives up to and/or exceeds expectations.