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Advocacy involves promoting a broad idea or cause to lawmakers, media, and the public. For example, saying “Poverty is bad” is a form of advocacy. It includes activities like public education, media campaigns, regulatory efforts, legal actions, lobbying, and voter registration.
While many think advocacy and lobbying are the same, they are not. Lobbying is a specific type of advocacy that focuses on influencing legislation or proposals, such as stating, “Poverty is bad. Please support this proposal to address it.” Lobbying aims directly at swaying lawmakers on particular laws. (For more on legal rules, see the Exponent Philanthropy primer, Funding and Engaging in Advocacy.)
Resources to Start Your Advocacy Journey
Foundation Advocacy Intensive: Develop Your Policy Acumen
Sept 25 – Nov 20, 2024 / 2:00 – 4:00 pm ET / 4-part Virtual Workshop
This program helps lean funders leverage their strengths in advocacy. Explore how your foundation can drive systemic changes that benefit grantees, partners, and the community. Learn more »
Advocacy Field Guide for Lean Funders
This guide helps lean foundations and donors fund and engage in policy directly. It offers seven practical steps, a basic primer on essentials, ways to fund and engage, and tips for convincing your board. We include strategies and real examples from lean funders to inspire and guide you. Download »
About the Authors
Jason Sabo is the founder of Frontera Strategy. Jason has led and assisted efforts to pass legislation and secure appropriations at state capitols across the country for more than two decades. Jason knows the issues and politics important to nonprofits and philanthropy, and he knows how to win. He holds a master’s degree in History from Indiana University.
Andy Carroll advises lean foundations on advocacy and Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy. With an MBA from the University of Michigan Business School and over 30 years in nonprofit management, he helps these foundations leverage their unique assets for impactful change. Follow him on Twitter @andycarrollexpo, and check out his Catalytic Philanthropy Podcast.