[November 08 Release]

Advocacy Tools 

Advocacy is an essential part of serving the community. 

What does that mean for your work?  Information needs to get out beyond your current supporters, to the general public via the media and to politicians and government leaders.  On this page [we anticipate a November 08 release], we will provide contact information for major players in your community. 

You can choose the issues to fight or promote – but please choose to advocate.   If we don’t, who will?

Sample:  Here are some links that you can share with your Board and volunteers, giving the how and why and value of your and their advocacy work.               

The Kellogg Foundation and the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest have a handbook on advocacy at any level of government.  Check out this free resource.

Click on this link to the Virginia Interfaith Center for a quick, one page introduction to advocacy.  

Questions? Contact Shirley at 703.850.7768 or smarshall@nonprofitnova.org

The Alliance for Nonprofit Management is a professional association of individuals and organizations devoted to improving the management and governance capacity of nonprofits to assist them in fulfilling their mission.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals is a professional association of individuals responsible for generating philanthropic support for a wide variety of nonprofit and charitable organizations. Founded in 1960, AFP (formerly the National Society of Fund Raising Executives) advances philanthropy through its more than 26,000 members in 172 chapters throughout the world.

Board Cafe is an online publication and resource that can be useful to nonprofit board members.

Board Source is a good resource for practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations worldwide.

Bridgestar, an initiative of the Bridgespan Group, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing leadership for the nonprofit sector. Their goal is to connect and support leaders – established and aspiring – for greater effectiveness and social impact.

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement's mission is to strengthen, promote and represent nonprofit organizations in metropolitan Washington in order to help them better meet the diverse needs of their communities.

For the last three decades, Community Foundation for the National Capital Region has dedicated itself to facilitating individual, family and organizational philanthropy by helping others invest time, money, and commitment into making the Greater Washington region a better place to live.

The Foundation Center's mission is to strengthen the nonprofit sector by advancing knowledge about philanthropy. Its DC library/learning center at 1627 K Street NW offers free access to databases or grantmakers and grants, books and articles on philanthropy and nonprofit management, classes on grantseeking and related topics, and a variety of educational programs for the nonprofit community.  A schedule of grantseeker training courses is online and includes fundamentals of fundraising, proven techniques for crafting winning proposals, and strategies for building organizational capacity.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations is dedicated to promoting learning and encouraging dialogue among funders committed to building strong and effective nonprofit organizations. GEO’s mission is to maximize philanthropy's impact by advancing the effectiveness of grantmakers and their grantees.

Greater DC Cares is Greater Washington's leading coordinator of volunteerism and corporate philanthropy, harnessing the energy, skills, goods and talent of the region for nearly 15 years.  They actively engage the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia in unique and rewarding giving experiences that strengthen community organizations and enrich Greater Washington.

GuideStar is a searchable database of nonprofit organizations in the United States. All organizations are invited to provide supplemental data to their listings, including information on mission, program services, finances, accomplishments, goals, and leadership.

Independent Sector is a leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in America and around the world.

Information Nonprofit Center is a good starting point for all things nonprofit.

The Meyer Foundation strengthens people and their communities by investing in Greater Washington's visionary nonprofits. The Meyer Foundation also has a Resources page that has links for funding opportunities, nonprofits, learning opportunities, and more.

National Council on Nonprofit Associations is dedicated to building stronger nonprofit boards of directors. Their web site has a wealth of information and resources.

The vision of Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) is a strong, well-capitalized and durable nonprofit sector that uses capital effectively to support the highest aspirations and most generous impulses of people and communities. NFF is a leader in achieving this vision, investing to build effective, innovative organizations that contribute to social and economic justice, artistic expression, education, and the healing of body and spirit.

The Nonprofit Sector Research Fund of the Aspen Institute awards research grants and organizes convenings to expand knowledge of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy, improve nonprofit practices, and inform public policy related to nonprofits.

The SPIN Project strengthens nonprofit social justice organizations, small and large, to communicate effectively for themselves. The SPIN Project provides accessible and affordable strategic communications consulting, training, coaching, networking opportunities and concrete tools.

Washington Grantmakers is a powerful network of funders, partnering with nonprofits and governments, that is committed to improving the region by touching lives and changing communities one grant at a time.