Advocacy Glossary
Articles
Here is a question about types of nonprofit organizations and how they interact:
"Can you include the definition of the new 527 organizations? What about interaction/cooperation among different types of organization?" Read More
Q:A small nonprofit organization works with small grassroots organizations in Ghana on building their organizational capacity to establish community-based ecotourism sites. However, as part of building the organizational capacity, it is important to include the district government in the process. In this way, as grassroots organizations grow and unify, they can better mobilize their needs and concerns with the government. Without that cooperation, the grassroots organizations have little incentive to really invest themselves in these projects, because they are at the whim of the government which can tax them to no end once a project becomes viable. Are programs that bring these grassroots, nonprofits, and government actors together to debate on the sharing of burden and benefit undertaking "advocacy"?
If so, what kinds of skills are particular to this kind of advocacy? Get the Answer
One of the most confusing things for new advocates to deal with is the jargon of government. This glossary contains definitions of terms commonly used in the lawmaking process and in advocacy. Read More
Tips for progressives on the art of persuading mainstream Americans around issuses of concern. Read More
Listing of the types of US nonprofits recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Read More
A brief overview of the guarantees and limitations offered for access to information under the federal Freedom of Information Act and federal Privacy Act. Read More
The term "lobbying" is much narrower in definition than advocacy or civic participation. Lobbying is legal strategy nonprofits use to influence legislators and executive branch administrators about pending legislation or regulations. It should not be considered synonymous with advocacy because there is much more advocacy people and nonprofits can do than is the case with lobbying. Read More
Legislative advocacy refers to efforts to influence the introduction, enactment, or modification of legislation. This can include lobbying, ballot initiatives, legislative networks and campaigns, and explanations of legislative processes. Legislative advocacy can also encompass instruction on how to conduct campaigns, educating legislators, communications strategies to implement lobbying campaigns, rules regarding lobbying, building legislative networks, and tracking legislation and committee votes. Read More
Judicial advocacy involves the promotion of more responsible and accountable judicial, legal, and law enforcement systems and practices. Efforts include lawsuits, preparing amicus briefs, providing information on court cases, and developing reference and educational tools. Read More