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We created this blog to share interesting advocacy related items that cross our desks. It can be anything from new research on funding for advocacy to examples of unusual advocacy strategies. If you have an item to share please send it to npaction@npaction.org.
NPAction Staff

Monday, October 20, 2008

Learn to Love Lobbying

The Stanford Social Innovation Review published "Learn to Love Lobbying" to emphasize that despite common misconception, lobbying is nothing more than educating legislators. Legislative Action is often the best way to bring about the changes that nonprofits strive for. Although several nonprofits have experimented with lobbying in the past, very few make it a regular activity. Generally, when nonprofits shy away from the world of politics, they miss out on opportunities to improve legislation, strengthen their organizations and advance their issues.

Many nonprofits stay away from lobbyists because they most commonly associate the word "lobbyist" with "sleaze." The Jack Abramoff scandal, among others, has given lobbying such a negative connotation. The bottom line, however, is that lobbying is regulated by the government. It is not part of a shady deal behind the back of the IRS. Instead, lobbying is just the gathering of committed citizens giving the right information to the right people at the right time.

Lobbying has several unsung virtues, the most obvious being that it can improve the laws that most affect nonprofits’ clients. Lobbying also strengthens organizations. When nonprofits get involved in lawmaking, they raise their profile among elected officials, the media, donors, and even potential partners within the sector. Lobbying drives nonprofit volunteers, donors, and board members in addition to being a vehicle for empowering clients.

Nonprofit lobbyists can maintain their integrity by never exaggerating or promising something they cannot deliver. A significant advantage that nonprofit lobbyists have is that they can easily frame their issues in human terms, connecting bills and appropriations to real people. Nonprofits are then able to help legislators understand their issues by arranging for them to meet with people whom their legislative affects.

A major reason that there are so many bad laws and regulations is that nonprofits are not as engaged in the political process as they should be. When nonprofits lobby, they have a good chance of securing precisely the kinds of long-term and meaningful changes that their mission statements emphasize. "Lobbying may take some getting used to, but it should be in every nonprofit’s toolbox."