Tool kits can provide nonprofits with concrete, how-to information to make advocacy more effective. The range of information available is broad, covering everything from legal rules to mobilizing members. With new and evolving advocacy techniques, tool kits are not only informative, but also provide examples of what other groups have done.

Here are a few tool kits that are featured on our site:

Organizational Planning for Advocacy:
Summary of NCNA's Toolkit for Building Advocacy Capacity
Are you ready to engage in public policy or take on a large scale advocacy campaign? The National Council of Nonprofit Associations' (NCNA) toolkit for building advocacy capacity reveals the key factors you'll need to engage in public policy. NCNA's toolkit summarizes the lessons learned by various state associations so that nonprofits can gain better insight on how to spend their time, efforts and resources to maximize results and minimize failure.

Tax Exempt Rules:
ABA Tax Exempt Tool Kit
The Tax Exempt Tool Kit is meant to give directors, executives, volunteers, and others associated with small exempt organizations, a basic overview of the laws and financial responsibilities that the average small exempt organizations. Some key topics include: how to start a tax exempt organization; information on lobbying and political activities; federal and state filing requirements; fiduciary responsibilities for the board of directors; and many more.

Election Related Activities:
National Council of Nonprofit Associations' Tool Kit:
This Tool Kit describes the types of election-related activities that charities and religious organizations [501(c)(3)s] can engage in, and provides samples and other materials to help your organization do everything from sponsor a debate to register voters.

Spin Project's Loud and Clear in an Election Year: Amplifying the Voices of Community Advocates
This tool kit will help 501(c)(3) organizations understand clearly what communications tools they can and cannot use to educate voters. This book answers legal questions and provides tips and tools for groups who want to ensure their voices are heard this election year.

Mobilizing Members:
The League of Conservation Voters' Mobilize Your Member's Tool Kit:
A useful guide for those looking to harness the power of their membership as a force for change. The Mobilize Your Member's tool kit is a clear step-by-step guide on how to maximize the power of your members through effectively using your membership lists.

Interactive Took Kit:
AdvoKit:
Free software for organizing and running grassroots campaigns. Using AdvoKit, you can combine the power of voter files, membership data and social networking to identify and communicate with supporters. Advokit is an online hub for a campaign’s voter registration, voterid, get-out-the-vote, door-to-door canvassing and phone bank operations. Groups can maintain every aspect of their constituency-building work in a central location that’s accessible and secure.

Communication Tools:
The Benton Foundation's Strategic Communications Tool Kit:
The tool kit includes information about what it takes to design, fund and plan an effective communication's strategy as well as resources to help you implement your plans for advocacy, community building, creating partnerships, reaching your audience and much more.

Advocacy and Lobbying Tool Kit:
Connecticut Nonprofit Information Network's Advocacy and Lobbying Tool Kit: Tips to help your organization make a difference including: lobbying do's and don'ts, tips for effective writing, public/media relations tools and resources, and many more.