The Power of Non-Profit Lobbying: Advocating for Change

Lobbying is a powerful tool for helping non-profit organizations achieve their missions. While organizations that devote a “substantial part” of their activities to lobbying may not qualify for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3), non-profits can—and should—use lobbying as one of several tools to effect meaningful change.

The power of non-profit lobbying is—or has the potential to be—immense. Often, non-profits and governmental entities’ priorities will be aligned, and non-profits can leverage this alignment to gain new funding, exposure, and opportunities.

How Non-Profits Can Use Lobbying to Advocate for Change

Here are just some of the ways that non-profit organizations can use lobbying to advocate for change:

Direct Lobbying to Influence Legislation and Rulemaking

Non-profit organizations can influence legislation and rulemaking through direct lobbying. This involves communicating with lawmakers and public officials to highlight the organization’s mission, find common ground, and chart a mutually beneficial path forward.

Influencing legislation and rulemaking is among the most powerful functions of non-profit lobbying. Not only can non-profits use lobbying to open up new opportunities and eliminate roadblocks for themselves, but non-profit lobbying can also be an effective way to achieve tax-exempt organizations’ goals in some cases directly. With issue monitoring and a 50-state approach to lobbying, non-profits can often achieve extraordinary results on a national scale.

Providing Policy Papers and Other Materials to Legislators

As part of the lobbying process, non-profits can provide policy papers and other materials to legislators and government officials. These legislators and officials may then use these materials not only to make their own decisions but also to influence others’ decisions. This can both help non-profits achieve their goals and enhance their visibility—which can set the stage for having even more influence in the future.

Grassroots Lobbying

Grassroots lobbying can also be a highly effective way for non-profit organizations to advocate for change. With grassroots lobbying, organizations engage with the public to amplify their voice. Direct lobbying and grassroots lobbying efforts will often go hand-in-hand, and working directly with government leaders while also demonstrating overwhelming public support can be among the most effective ways to effect change at the state and local levels.

Building Relationships that Help Promote the Organization’s Non-Profit Mission

Beyond achieving specific legislative and regulatory goals, non-profit lobbying can provide several other long-term benefits. For example, through lobbying, non-profits can build lasting relationships with legislators and government officials that help them advance their missions on an ongoing basis. By making their (and their constituents’) voices heard, non-profits can ensure that they have a seat at the table, and they can maximize their ability to effect change in the future.

Inquire About Our Non-Profit Lobbying Services

50 to 1 is a government affairs management firm that works with non-profits and other organizations nationwide. We provide state and local lobbying services in all 50 states. Request an initial consultation online today to learn more about what we do.