Nonprofit Advocacy
GuideStar Newsletter
06 JAN 2004 issue

There's a myth that nonprofits are barred from acting as advocates. Not true. Although some forms of advocacy—such as lobbying—are restricted, speaking out and acting for change are integral parts of the missions of many nonprofits. One site working to help nonprofits advocate wisely and effectively is NPAction, an online reference service hosted by OMB Watch.

"Nonprofits face a number of barriers to participation in policy matters, including a misunderstanding of what's permissible and awareness of what's possible," says NPAction project manager Ryan J. Turner. "Moreover, there's a wealth of experiences and valuable resources generated by organizations, which are either not available on-line, or presented in a issue-specific context without regards to its broader potential to inform the activities of other groups."

If your organization is involved in advocacy (or just thinking about getting involved), sites like NPAction and the Alliance for Justice's Nonprofit Advocacy Project can be invaluable sources of both information and inspiration.