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A guide to engaging in public policy for nonprofits to maximize impact
Nonprofits can be affected by and are subject to public policy. Administrative shifts can affect the general operations and program management of an organization more than is comfortable to admit. However, nonprofits can also make and influence public policy. In fact, they are at a particular advantage to do so, nonprofits provide the government a cheaper way to provide services. The ability for nonprofits to leverage outside funding makes them an ideal “contractor” for things like human service delivery. Nonprofits maximize the impact of government spending through their ability to secure additional funding.
Due to their advantage as lower-cost service providers as well as their ability to be affected by public policy shifts, it is clear how it may be advantageous for nonprofits to seek to influence public policy so as to not play defense when that policy is enacted.
It is important for nonprofit organizations to engage in public policy as they have firsthand knowledge of their communities' needs and circumstances. Many times, nonprofit organizations work with those eligible and ineligible for assistance programs and can speak to the needs of both of those communities.
It is important to guide advocacy efforts through a “best-practice” lens that can be adapted to the needs and capacities of any organization. Advocacy is a difficult thing to measure, as there are a lot of moving parts that all affect each other. In addition, advocacy can be a long and complicated road to impact.
Have clear intentions and goals
Knowing the goal of engaging in public policy is the first step to success. Having a goal can help inform long-term strategy, what data to collect for evaluation, and decrease the likelihood of being ineffective.
Short-term intentions and goals can also build momentum into a larger change. Public policy effectiveness is a difficult thing to pin down and short-term successes are a great way to see the incremental impact of public policy work.
Commit to developing and sustaining strategic, symbiotic relationships
Relationships are the key to success in influencing public policy. Local politicians, government staff, leaders of organizations with similar missions, and business owners are all relationships that can help increase organizational influence.
Many nonprofits work within a coalition as a part of their advocacy strategy. Coalitions come with a built-in relationship base with leaders working around a similar mission. Some coalitions can even provide education and infrastructure as well as opportunities for member organizations to share resources, information, and space.
Coalitions can increase influence in the public policy space by showing local politicians all organizations in the coalition are on the same page about a topic. Coalitions can also shield member organizations that receive government funding from retaliation. Some coalitions even have a lobbyist to lobby on the behalf of their member organizations. This enables member organizations to lobby without worrying about the limitations of the substantial part test.
While coalitions are a great way to develop and sustain relationships, it is not the only way to do so. Individual organizations can reach out to organizations with similar goals to collaborate on things like advancing a bill or launching a campaign outside of a coalition structure.
Use a range of approaches
Using a range of approaches is key to affecting long-lasting change in the public policy arena. Different people may be engaged in different ways, so using a range of approaches allows an organization to meet people where they are.
Using a range of approaches can also reinforce the previous approaches. For example, a nonprofit that promotes the use of bicycles could also push for stronger carbon regulation to maximize impact.
Some approaches to engage in public policy are: donor and community partner education via policy update emails, community engagement via lobbying or voter registration days, joining a coalition, and more. Nonprofits who seek to engage in a combination of different approaches are the most effective.
Alexis Moser is a 2025 graduate of the Masters of Nonprofit Management and Leadership program at Arizona State University. She works at Opportunities for Housing, Resources, and Assistance (OHRA) in Ashland, Oregon as their Development and Communications Assistant. OHRA is a low-barrier, long-term shelter with a walk-in resource center which provides wrap-around services to people who are unhoused.
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