Nonprofit: Advocacy, Lobbying and Social Change

1. Chapters 14 Presentation:
Advocacy, Lobbying and
Social Change
Tim Braimah, LLB, LLM, LLM Legal Research

2. Summary
This chapter introduces the topic of nonprofit advocacy and civic engagement and provides
readers an understanding of what constitutes public policy advocacy, why nonprofits are
uniquely positioned to be effective advocates, the potential benefits, and how to make this
an integral part of a nonprofit's strategy for meeting mission. It urges nonprofits to
recognize the importance of their role in public life in addressing the economic and social
challenges of our times by including advocacy and civic engagement in their missions. In
an era of income inequality, needed reforms in the criminal justice system, threats to voting
rights and human rights, and major debate about the role of government in health care,
education, social services, housing, climate change, jobs, wages, and other keystones of
society, nonprofits have a responsibility to be involved. Public charities often have the
most far‐reaching, trusted, and comfortable of relationships with people in their
communities.

3. Definition of Social Change
Social change is a general term which refers:
To a change in nature, the social institutions, the social behavior, or the social
relations of a society, community of people, or other social structures.

4. WHAT IS ADVOCACY? WHAT IS LOBBYING?
ARE THEY ONE IN THE SAME?
No. The terms are often used synonymously, but the truth is
ADVOCACY describes a broad set of strategies and
LOBBYING is merely a tool in the advocacy toolbox. Advocacy
is NOT lobbying and there is no limit to the amount of advocacy
you can do.

5. Definitions
Advocacy- A general support for an idea or issue.
● Action directed at social change
● Putting a problem on the Agenda
● Providing a solution to the Problem
● Building support for the solution and for the
action needed to implement the solution
MOBILISING ACTION FOR CHANGE!!!

7. Lobbying is one of the tools/
strategies we use in advocacy
campaigns
Lobbying is any attempt to
influence legislation (any bill
introduced or a draft bill that
may be introduced in any
legislative body from city
council to Congress).

8. Types of Lobbying
Direct- in general, any attempt to influence any legislation through
communication with a legislator, an employee of a legislative body or other
government official.
Grassroots Lobbying- any attempt to influence any legislation through an
attempt to affect the opinions of the general public or any segment thereof.

9. Is Advocacy and/or Lobbying important to your mission?
Absolutely. All nonprofits have a vital role
to play in democracy. Learning the basics
will empower your efforts and hearing
examples of impact from our panelists
today will affirm the necessity for nonprofit
engagement in the policy process.

10. Why should Nonprofits
advocate?
They have the potential to create public
policy changes that have a profound impact
on peoples’ lives.
➔ Connection
Given the experience and intellect of
donors, boards, staff, volunteers and
participants, non profits have
tremendous power and reach.

11. How do we know that Nonprofits make a difference?
There is a long history of nonprofit achievement shaping policy. Advocacy
efforts have led to changes in the laws and, most important, changes in
personal behavior and cultural norms.
For example, nonprofit advocacy has led to creative solutions to family
violence. The Violence Against Women Act would not have advanced without
the determined work of countless nonprofits and citizen advocates.

12. Why Don’t More Nonprofits advocate, Lobby, and Promote Civic
Engagement?
1. Many doubt that lobbying is a proper and legal nonprofit activity.
2. Lack of understanding of rules for nonprofit electoral activity
stymies nonprofit.
3. Many nonprofits are uncertain about how to build an advocacy and
lobbying effort.

13. Advocacy & Key lessons for
nonprofits
➔ 1. Legal
Advocacy and lobbying are legal
nonprofit activities, encouraged by the
Congress and expected by elected
officials.
➔ 2. Nonpartisan
Nonprofit election activity is a
component of broad civic engagement
and an important activity

14. 3. Nonprofits need to be part of the public policy dialogue.
Those who count on nonprofit programs and services also
count on nonprofits to be a voice in shaping decisions in
public arenas.
4. Nonprofit advocacy requires strategy and planning.
A basic framework for advancing issues allows you to define
a need, propose a specific solution, determine where the issue
is decided, and influence those decisions.
5. The three primary tools for non profit advocacy are
organizing, lobbying, and media advocacy.
Advocacy &
Key lessons for
nonprofits………..
continued

15. 6. Nonprofits are a vehicle through
which people participate in public life
One key role for nonprofits is to engage people
through organising and civic engagement
initiatives.
Advocacy &
Key lessons for
nonprofits………..
continued

16. Advocacy work can
position a nonprofit as the
lead organization in an
issue area Tip
Importance of Advocacy
work

17. THE DO’S FOR ALL ORGANIZATIONS (ACTIVITY NOT CONSIDERED
LOBBYING)
•Nonprofits may not engage in:
–Partisan political activities, such as:
•Endorsing or opposing a candidate, or mobilizing supporters to elect or defeat a candidate
•Align with or contribute to political parties

18. WHAT AMOUNT OF LOBBYING IS ALLOWED
Prior to 1976, charities could only devote an "insubstantial" amount of their resources to
lobbying, a vague standard that led many charities to forsake lobbying altogether. In 1976,
Congress passed a law clarifying what charities could do, a law that was clearly intended
to encourage more participation by charities.
●In 1976, Congress passed a bill that provided better clarity and authority for lobbying
without jeopardizing tax-exempt status. Sections 501(h) and 4911 of the Tax Reform Act
of 1976 established clearer guidelines called the “lobbying‐expenditure test.” However, it
took until 1990 for the Internal Revenue Service to issue final rules regarding these
changes.

19. LOBBYING COMPLIANCE
KEEP A LOG
●Maintain a log or otherwise track lobbying expenses, such as postage, copying, faxing,
and messenger services. Lobbying nonprofits should appoint one person to become the
authority on the lobbying rules. This lobbying monitor should act as clearinghouse for all
projects.
●
MONITOR THE EXPENSES
●Importantly, nonprofits should learn the rules regarding how expenses for things, such
as newsletters, “action alerts,” and direct mail letters should be allocated. The first
allocation question concerns lobbying vs. non-lobbying expenses. The second question
concerns direct vs. grassroots lobbying.

20. Nonprofit Advocacy with Paul Thelen
Tip
Nonprofit
Advocacy with
Paul Thelen

21. Thank you
Thank you for listening. Now you know
advocacy and lobbying are important to
nonprofits.