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ARTICLES [You may open link & print article if available, OR check box to request a copy from the Severson Center.]

Building capacity for public policy advocacy, by Liz Baumgarten. Enhance, June 2004. Alliance for Nonprofit Management. #6372. [Link to article]
While advocacy is on the rise among nonprofits, there is much room for improvement if we are to achieve broad, effective representation of nonprofit concerns in our government today and truly be about “Empowering the Nonprofit Sector.” There are several key barriers to nonprofit advocacy; this article describes those barriers and ways capacity builders can help nonprofits overcome them.

Capitol Hill and state government days: face-to-face visits strengthen advocacy efforts. National Health Council's Advocacy Toolbox, 1:2. Winter 1999. #9096. [Link to article]
Looks at how several organizations have conducted their advocacy days on Capitol Hill. Over time, every group finds what methods work best for their membership and message. No group — local, state, or federal — should expect to run a perfect advocacy day the first time out. Each group should also be prepared to dedicate sufficient time.

CEOs assault advocacy barriers. Alliance Magazine. Winter 2004. #7537.
The previous issue of the Alliance for Children & Families Magazine featured an article by Patricia Winsten on the barriers to effective advocacy that exist within the nonprofit community. It used as its base an Alliance study and report funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Much of the report’s content came from a series of focus group sessions involving Alliance member CEOs. This article, taken from the report, focuses on overcoming those barriers.

Charity lobbying: getting started. 2003. #308.
Most charities that lobby don't start by learning the legislative process, nor should they. It's not that knowing the legislative process isn't helpful; someone in your organization should know at least the basics. It’s important, however, not to get entangled by trying to achieve complete mastery of the labyrinthine legislative process before you take action. Keep your eye on the target and on the thing charities do best: telling your organization’s story effectively to legislators.

Coalitions and alliances deliver results: health groups find strength in consensus. National Health Council's Advocacy Toolbox, 1:3. Spring 2000. #9097. [Link to article]
For any advocacy organization, building coalitions can be one of the most rewarding — and challenging — activities. An effective coalition can deliver a powerful collective voice that helps pass legislation or win regulatory reform. In this issue of Advocacy Toolbox, examples are highlighted of powerful coalitions and alliances that have produced tangible results in legislative and regulatory debates. Hands-on advice is provided for making your own coalition-building efforts a success.

Every agency can make a difference: a how-to guide for effective advocacy. Alliance Magazine. Spring 2002. #8725.
Even if you’re a small agency, with an even smaller budget and no staff members to spare for policy work, what’s stopping you? If you are a one-person agency, you’ve got an advocate, says Mike Eaton, executive director, Aurora Family Service in Milwaukee. Read complete articles for some tips to get you started.

Getting your cause noticed and funded. Marketing Fast Facts, August 2001. #342.
10 things to remember when attempting to attract attention to your project.

Grassroots programs bring constituent voices directly to legislators. National Health Council's Advocacy Toolbox, 3:2. Winter 2003. #9092.[Link to article]
A mix of tactics helps nonprofits succeed at direct advocacy. The best grassroots organizers recognize that each challenge should determine what type of advocates to use. But no matter what, grassroots programs are most effective when you remember the old adage that all politics are local. Whenever possible, legislators should hear from experts, key contacts and everyday volunteers who live in their districts.

Hard work and creative outreach earn media coverage. National Health Council's Advocacy Toolbox, 3:1. Summer 2002. #9091.[Link to article]
Earning coverage about critical health issues takes time, planning, creativity, and a bit of luck. Experienced communications professionals know that it is virtually impossible to guarantee coverage of a specific story in any one publication. But if you prepare cogent media materials that tell a compelling story, chances are that your issue will receive some coverage.

Influencing social policies: legislators speak to nonprofits: highlights of research findings. Michigan Research Snapshots, May 2003. #5418. [Link to article]
In a 1997 study, “Spectator or Participant? A Study of Charitable Nonprofits’ Political Advocacy,” nonprofit executives were interviewed about their relationship with government policymakers — both elected officials and political appointees. This new study, conducted in 2002, complements the earlier research by asking Michigan legislators about their perceptions of the nonprofit/government relationship.

Lobbying for charity. Chronicle of Philanthropy, July 21, 2005. #3518
A growing number of nonprofit groups are hiring Washington representatives to seek federal money. Small local groups are joining big national charities in hiring professional lobbyists and spending substantial sums in the hopes of getting money earmarked for them. To get an earmark, charities often spend up to two years drafting testimony to be submitted at Congressional hearings, staying in touch with Congressional staff members, and attending meetings on Capitol Hill.

Managing the media: a guide for activists. Alliance Magazine. Spring 2002. #8724
Agency staff members have front-line experience that is crucial to the development of sound public policy. Who better to represent the most disempowered members of society? Non-profit human service professionals see their clients not only in the context of their immediate needs, but also with a view to their broader environment, all the social, economic, and political conditions that so profoundly impact their lives.

Online advocacy - mobilize supporters to take action. Nonprofit World, November December 2003. #6864.
Build support for your cause with these Internet tips.

Planning and flexibility help carry messages: diverse communication strategies win the attention of legislators and their staff. National Health Council's Advocacy Toolbox, 2:2. Spring 2001. #9093. [Link to article]
Three health advocacy groups (Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, American Foundation for AIDS Research, and the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association) were asked to share strategies they used to make their messages heard. For these diverse groups, successful strategies focused on targeting the appropriate audience with a persuasive message from effective messengers. This article demonstrates how to increase your chances of making an impact.

State advocates use wide range of tactics: state-level action can provide flexibility and rapid results. National Health Council's Advocacy Toolbox, 2:1. Winter 2001. #9094. [Link to article]
United, passionate and knowledgeable voices help carry critical messages to state legislators, government agencies and other key audiences. Confronted with unique opportunities and challenges, nonprofit organizations can succeed at the state level by bearing several fundamentals in mind.

Technology changes the face of advocacy: internet expands efforts of voluntary health agencies. National Health Council's Advocacy Toolbox, 1:1. Fall 1999. #9098. [Link to article]
The Web has emerged as the most powerful technological tool available to advocates. Anybody with Internet access can learn more about a specific issue — and as they learn, they also can take immediate advocacy action. While web sites make it easy for potential advocates to take action, activists must be first drawn to a web site.

Thank you for caring, Wisconsin. Alliance Magazine. Summer 2002. #8726.
A bold new advocacy campaign is underway in Wisconsin. The goals are to educate legislators and to increase the public perception of the value of the important work done by private child and family agencies.

Tips for getting a charity's views into a newspaper's editorial pages. Chronicle of Philanthropy, May 29, 2003.  #5354.
For many years, charities have used signed opinion articles sent to newspapers to reach potential supporters. Newspaper editors say they welcome the contributions of nonprofit organizations, but that does not mean that any submission from a charity will be met with open arms. This article has tips to improve your chances of getting such a piece published.

We all believe in it, so why don't we do it? Alliance Magazine. Summer 2003. #8727.
As stewards of the social good, human services agencies can be a powerful force for social change, so why aren’t they flexing their muscle? Are they losing sight of their broader mission? The Rockefeller Brothers Fund turned to the Alliance for Children and Families to help explore these issues and identify the ways to remove the barriers to effective advocacy for nonprofits.

Please contact the Severson Center if you have any questions.
Phone: 800-221-3726 ext. 3615  or  FAX: 414-359-1074
E-mail: severson@alliance1.org