1. After the election: how advocacy
can help sustain your nonprofit
UW -Parkside
2012 Nonprofit Leadership Conference
Novem 13, 2012
ber

3. What is advocacy?
• Speaking up for your cause
• Educating decision-makers
• Specific issue, goals, outcomes
• Grassroots and grasstops involvement
• Telling your story
• Demonstrating impact

4. What is lobbying?

5. What is lobbying?
• Influencing decisions made by
government
• Specific legal parameters set by
governments concerning organized group
lobbying for specific legislation

6. Advocacy and (or) lobbying
• Advocacy is education on the ways in which
government or business decisions, policies and
regulations affect real people
• Lobbying is education specifically targeted about
legislation or policy
• Citizens have every right to advocate.
• Nonprofit organizations must educate and influence
decision-makers about their cause.
• Context + data + real-life examples + numbers =
POWER

7. Grassroots advocacy and
strategic lobbying are
necessary for change.

8. Nonprofit advocacy is all
about:
• Transformation and change for
people, organizations, communities
• Economic opportunities
• Education for the 21st century
• Social capital
• Access for everyone, everywhere
• Informed and engaged citizenry
• Quality of life

9. Why should you be an
advocate?
• Every citizen has the right to educate decision-
makers and elected officials.
• Every sector and everyone involved in that
sector must speak up for the cause.
• You must be the change you believe in.
• If you don’t promote and advocate for your
cause, others will promote and advocate for
theirs.

10. Key principles of advocacy
• Part of your daily mission.
• Unified message, purpose, strategy, and numbers = success.
• Establish and broaden coalitions.
• Politics is fluid; change is constant. Be ready for it!
• Strategy and planning.
• Relationships, relationships, relationships!
• It’s all about the greater good.
• Treat allies and opponents with friendly respect.
• Work hard for political friends.
• Honesty is the best policy.
• Politicians respond to voters (and donors)
• Clarity, brevity, respect and honesty are key.

11. Never, never, never,
never give up.
~ Winston Churchill

12. Advocacy tools

13. Advocacy framework
• Define the issue
• Reveal your expertise
• Explain impact on individuals and
communities
• Provide context, data and stories
• “Make the ask”
• Say thank you
• Repeat as necessary

14. Wisconsin’s Arts and Cultural
Industry
• A Local Industry
• Attracts visitors/ keeps residents
• Engages citizens
• Keeps communities healthy
• Stimulates Business/Community Growth
and Vibrancy
• Supports Jobs
• Generates Public and Private Revenue
• Lifelong learning for the 21st century

15. 12,953 arts-related businesses in Wisconsin,
employing 49,526 people

16. Current issues for
nonprofits
• The Great Recession and funding changes
• 21st century education, skills, systems,
opportunities
• 2012-2013: moving from campaign season
to budget season locally, statewide,
nationally
• Decision-makers understanding and
supporting 21st century economic
development, education, civic
engagement, quality of life

17. Election results

22. What should you do now?

23. Starting today
Know who your elected officials are,
and update your records with their
contact information. They should be
receiving information about your
work on a regular basis, via
newsletters, website, mailings, etc.

24. As soon as possible
By the end of the week, send a
congratulatory message to your new
and returning officials.
• Email or snail mail?
• Call! Say "congrats" to a real live
person.

25. By the day before
Thanksgiving
• send an education packet of information to
let elected officials know what you do and
the need in your community.
• Include sharp, concise points that outline
the important contributions your work
makes locally
• Focus on the importance of public and
private investment in the issue.

26. By the beginning of
December
Invite your representatives to participate in
or attend a program (particularly an
educational program) hosted by your
organization and/or in your community.

27. Throughout...
Join with arts, business, education, political,
governmental, and civic stakeholders in your
community to carry your message.
•educational community (PTAs to school boards
to teachers to administrators)
•Chambers of Commerce and tourism groups
•economic development groups
•local elected officials.

28. Get in touch!
Anne Katz
Executive Director
Arts Wisconsin
608 255 8316
akatz@artswisconsin.org
www.artswisconsin.org