All About Advocacy
In the ever-evolving landscape of public policy right now, one reality persists: relationships matter.
Now is the time for organizations to connect with policymakers to create invaluable partnerships.
Shifting political priorities can make obtaining direct funding from government sources increasingly difficult. However, advocacy offers organizations a powerful set of tools to overcome these obstacles. Advocacy isn’t just about lobbying for funding; it’s about creating relationships that help to educate policy-makers on crucial issues and potential solutions… you know, like your mission!
Advocacy helps to ensure that issues remain on the radar of decision-makers and the public at large. It generates awareness, provides education about urgent needs, and encourages action. When done effectively, advocacy turns limited resources into fuel for creativity, coalition-building, and long-term change.
Connect with your Elected Officials
One of the most impactful strategies for advancing your mission is relationship building with elected officials. Policymakers are not only gatekeepers to funding and legislation - they are community leaders and public figures whose support can legitimize and amplify your cause.
Build personal connections so they feel comfortable coming to you for help, guidance or information. Elected officials recognize the role of CBOs and they often rely on them because your ear is to the ground. Creating a partnership with your elected officials and their offices allows organizations to become trusted sources of information and credible advocates for their causes.
By inviting elected officials to participate in events, site visits, or roundtable discussions, organizations provide them with firsthand insight into their work and the real-world challenges their communities face.
Elected officials, like all public figures, value positive publicity. Offering them opportunities to publicly showcase their support for your mission through media coverage, public events, or social media creates a win-win relationship, after all public officials also know you are trusted, and that means that having a relationship with you publicly can help their image and get them votes.
Public events are invaluable stages for advocacy. They provide platforms for organizations to highlight their achievements, share their stories, and invite policymakers to engage with their mission on a personal level. Hosting town halls, panel discussions, or community celebrations draws attention to your work and creates opportunities for elected officials to participate, listen, and connect with constituents, often through non-partisan rhetoric, which is vital.
Press coverage, op-eds, and news stories amplify your message to wider audiences. Social media and digital platforms offer even greater reach, enabling organizations to engage with supporters, policymakers, and the public in real time. Use these platforms to publicly thank and recognize elected officials who support your mission. This not only strengthens existing relationships but also encourages others to get involved.
Connect with Your Community
Advocacy is about more than just influencing policymakers; it’s also about educating the broader public. An informed community is an empowered community - and one that is more likely to support your mission, participate in civic life, and advocate for positive change.
Utilize your comms channels like newsletters, social media, webinars, and public speaking engagements to explain current issues, their implications, and how your organization’s work addresses them. Clearly articulate the connection between your programs and the challenges facing your community. Help the public understand why your mission matters, what sets your work apart, and how they can help.
Center your communication around the people, families, and communities who benefit from your work. Let them tell their own stories—in their own words—whenever possible.
Statistics and data points are great... but only when you put them into context. Illustrate how your programs change lives, open opportunities, and promote equity and justice.
Encourage staff, volunteers, and program participants to become storytellers and ambassadors for your mission.
Storytelling can be woven through every aspect of your advocacy strategy. Whether in speeches, written testimonials, or short videos, real-life stories capture attention, foster empathy, and spur action. It is easy to support the cuts to funding. It is hard to support cutting lifelines that people rely on when you can see the people.
In the digital age, visual storytelling is a cornerstone of effective advocacy. Photos, videos, infographics, and other visual media capture attention, evoke emotion, and make complex information easily digestible.
Photos: Authentic images of your organization’s work bring your mission to life.
Videos: Short, engaging videos can showcase program outcomes, highlight client success stories, or deliver calls to action.
Infographics: Use graphics and data visualization to explain issues, present impact statistics, or illustrate policy recommendations in an accessible way.
Visual content is highly shareable, making it an essential tool for increasing visibility and engagement on social platforms. When combined with compelling narratives, it provides a powerful way to reach audiences and mobilize support. Let’s face it. I like writing, but people don’t read anymore. If you have read this far, you are in the minority! Be visual. Be short. Be concrete.
The word advocacy feels daunting. But engaging in it is not. You already probably do it. Having a strategy behind that work is what will set you apart and gain your trust from these potential partners.
