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.)
6 Effective Advocacy Strategies for Lean Foundations
While lobbying is one form of advocacy, it’s not the only tool available. Foundations and nonprofits can engage in various advocacy strategies that are often more cost-effective and impactful than lobbying alone.
In our Advocacy Field Guide for Lean Funders, we outline how lean foundations can fund or participate in these advocacy efforts:
- Educate and Influence the Public
Raise awareness about policy issues, shape public opinion, write opinion pieces, and engage with the media. - Convene, Train, and Support Nonprofits
Bring together staff, volunteers, and stakeholders, including community leaders, businesses, and journalists, to share information and brainstorm solutions. Educate and train grantees in advocacy and support them in legislative efforts. - Commission and Conduct Research
Fund public opinion surveys, conduct polling on policy issues, and perform policy research and analysis. - Strengthen Civic Participation
Support or provide public education on political participation, conduct nonpartisan voter registration drives, and organize get-out-the-vote activities. - Engage and Educate Candidates
Educate candidates on public issues, sponsor debates, encourage campaigns to include specific topics, and advocate for party platform issues. - Engage and Educate Policymakers
Meet with policymakers to discuss shared goals, educate them on specific issues, and support or build bipartisan legislative caucuses on policy matters.
Preparing Your Foundation for Advocacy
Success in advocacy depends on understanding the key players, their motivations, effective arguments, influential supporters, and the right timing. These elements vary by issue and location. Start by selecting one or two issues you care about deeply and learn everything you can about them.
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.