Exploring the Decline of Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Engagement

Nonprofits are a catalyst for democracy and systems change in the United States. Our organizations bring individuals together to educate leaders — particularly policymakers — about our missions, community challenges, and potential solutions. Unfortunately, findings from recently released research commissioned by Independent Sector determined that a significantly lower proportion of nonprofits report advocating or lobbying today compared to 20 years ago.

How can we get nonprofits off the sidelines and onto the playing field? The answer is simple. There is power in numbers. Together, nonprofits can strengthen our collective influence through our collective impact.

This discussion will take a deep dive into what we’ve learned about the current state of nonprofit advocacy and civic engagement. This session is designed for all levels of advocacy or civic engagement experience; from no experience to substantial experience. Participants will also explore recommendations of changes to policy and practice to resolve barriers and participation gaps.