Advocacy and Lobbying for Nonprofits

The political decisions of lawmakers and regulators (ranging from public policy on social programs and the allocation of funds, to fundraising guidelines, incentives for charitable giving, and liability) define the boundaries of nonprofit operations. Nonprofits have a fundamental right and obligation to inform and influence these decisions. Success requires innovative strategies in coalition building, strategic management of community resources, and the effective working of the political process. Using a strategic marketing perspective, this course provides students with concepts and tools for developing an effective program for issues of management and government relations. Specific topics include: overview of current public policy issues affecting the nonprofit sector; techniques for monitoring and assessing critical trends and issues; critical success factors in influencing change; framing the organization's public policy agenda; and implementation strategies for positioning the organization and communicating its message.