Unbiased Sector launched a brand new analysis report, The Pursuit of Affect: Interviews with Nonprofit Leaders About Advocacy, which gives perception into how nonprofit leaders view their function in public coverage advocacy and engagement. Based mostly on 40 in-depth interviews, the report explores how nonprofit leaders see advocacy — nonetheless they outline it — as intently aligned with their organizations’ missions to serve communities.
The Pursuit of Affect follows Unbiased Sector’s 2023 report, The Retreat of Affect, which crammed a 20-year hole in nationally consultant knowledge on whether or not and the way nonprofits advocate round public coverage. That report discovered a considerable lower in nonprofit advocacy and lobbying within the U.S. since 2000.
The Pursuit of Affect sheds gentle on what motivates or deters organizations from taking an lively function in public coverage advocacy. Its key findings embrace:
- Nonprofits play a significant function in representing folks and communities. Nonprofit leaders prioritize amplifying the voices of their constituents and shoppers. They emphasize the significance of guaranteeing their organizations mirror the range and lived experiences of the communities they serve.
- The present political local weather requires a measured strategy to advocacy. Confronted with rising political polarization, nonprofit leaders keep a nonpartisan or bipartisan stance as a strategic necessity. They body their advocacy inside their mission and desires of their communities.
- Advocacy efforts are mission-driven. Whereas public coverage advocacy efforts are sometimes selective and immediately related to their missions, nonprofit leaders may additionally see many facets of their work — from funding to group outreach — as types of advocacy.
- Sturdy relationships are central to profitable advocacy. Connections — with different nonprofits, volunteers, board members, and policymakers — unlock entry to sources, data, allies, and approaches that nonprofit leaders may not in any other case have on their very own.
- Challenges in advocacy stay, however coalitions provide a approach ahead. Many nonprofit leaders need to have interaction in public coverage advocacy however lack the experience, time, and workers capability. Participating in coalitions is a key technique for overcoming these boundaries, providing sources, networks, and data.
“This research reveals that whereas nonprofits are mission-driven in deciding whether or not and the right way to advocate, many nonprofit leaders lack the time, sources, and readability about what’s legally permissible,” Unbiased Sector President and CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins mentioned. “It highlights the necessity for instruments and assist to assist nonprofits make their voices heard by advocacy on behalf of the communities they serve.”
“We additionally know that participating in coalitions is a key technique for overcoming boundaries to advocacy,” Dr. Watkins added. “Unbiased Sector will quickly launch our new Nonprofit Coalition Connection to make it simpler for nonprofits to attach with coalitions with comparable pursuits, to higher allow them to advance their missions, amplify their voices, and supply providers to their communities.”
The Pursuit of Affect revealed that whereas at the moment’s partisan atmosphere deters some organizations from advocating for or towards insurance policies, it can also lead organizations that do advocate to pursue bipartisan or nonpartisan approaches to keep away from the looks of bias, and to construct relationships with individuals who can assist them obtain their objectives no matter social gathering.
The Pursuit of Affect was authored by Dr. Heather MacIndoe, College of Massachusetts Boston; Dr. Mirae Kim, George Mason College; Dr. Lewis Faulk, American College; and Claire Connacher, MPP, College of Massachusetts Boston.
This report will assist inform Unbiased Sector’s improvement of instruments, trainings, and packages to keep up and broaden the nonprofits’ advocacy and public engagement. IS can also be working with advisory teams and internet hosting public conversations to assemble extra details about what nonprofits need and have to be lively, knowledgeable advocates for themselves, for the sector, and for his or her communities.
Obtain “The Pursuit of Affect: Interviews with Nonprofit Leaders About Advocacy” report right here.
The previous press launch was offered by an organization unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed inside don’t immediately mirror the ideas or opinions of the workers of NonProfit PRO.
