Whether intentional or not, every time you act to improve the lives of your clients you are engaging in advocacy.  When you speak to a community group or the to the press about your work you’re engaging in advocacy.  When you meet with a potential funder or make the big “ask” at your annual gala, you’re engaging in advocacy.  Advocacy is the root of everything you do.  There is very little you do that doesn’t involve advocacy, but are you doing it in a thoughtful and deliberate way?

So, why isn’t every non-profit out in the community pushing advocacy agendas; especially now, when non-profits are more impacted by policy and legislation than at any other time?  There are a couple of primary reasons: 1) Because it’s rarely a part of non-profit training, folks aren’t very comfortable with advocacy. 2) Some non-profit professionals are afraid of it, or the board is afraid of it.  And, where does the fear come from?  A lot of us believe 501c3s are prohibited, by IRS tax codes, from engaging in formal advocacy.  Others are afraid of offending some supporters and losing donors.  Read more