How Can Your Institution Benefit from Web-Based Advocacy? Online advocacy is traditionally the purview of the human rights, animal rights and other politically-based organizations. However, several public institutions have adopted online advocacy tools to help engage alumni in support of critical issues such as public financing. The latest elections will have a profound impact on web-based advocacy in 2009 and beyond with the likely emergence of a new advocate groups, the acceptance of new social media, and the impact of ongoing efforts by Congress to control communications via the web. In the midst increasing competition for limited dollars made worse by the deepening recession the California State University is actively using online advocacy tolls to engage alumni and others for the system with local, state and federal decision makers. This case study, along with results from other similar institutions will be reviewed during this session to understand better how higher education institutions can effectively use this technology for both grassroots and grass-”tops” advocacy efforts.