Understand Advocacy

Why Advocacy Matters

Government decisions affect how nonprofits raise money and govern themselves. They may be instrumental to the mission of your organization. They often affect nonprofit capacity – through contributions of money, time, assets or other resources. Policies, regulations and budget decisions can be created and undone by a determined opposition party, refocused political attention, or change of government. We need to keep governments informed, and decide when and how to get them engaged.

Forms of Political Action

The focus of the Nonprofit Vote is policy advocacy, but there are many ways individuals and organizations can engage in politics to make change. Here are some key definitions.

Policy Advocacy

Involves influencing policies or laws at a high level, often with a focus on research and systemic change.

Advocacy

Broader in scope than policy advocacy with a focus on promoting an idea or cause. An advocate works on behalf of an individual, group or organization.

Activism

A direct form of advocacy to enact change a political or social change. An activist works to create broader social or political change.

Lobbying

A type of lawful advocacy focused wherein individuals or private interest groups attempt to influence legislators and government officials to enact political or legal change.