Building support for the great work nonprofits do every day is essential for organizations’ long-term success, but how do you get that message across to decision-makers? Advocacy. But what is advocacy and why is it so critical? What does it mean advocate with leaders and what benefits can it bring? And how do nonprofits advocate for themselves effectively?

That’s where the DANA Advocacy Academy – a collection of workshops designed to successfully prepare nonprofit for the world of advocacy – comes into play. Our first Academy workshop is Nonprofit Advocacy 101. While this session is part of a collection of workshops in this academy, it is designed to stand on its own and is open to anyone interested in strengthening their advocacy messaging skills. You can register for any of the sessions that fit your needs.

Advocacy can be one of the most effective ways nonprofits advance their missions, but many nonprofit leaders are unsure about what advocacy really means, what activities are allowed, and how to engage appropriately and effectively in the public policy process.

This introductory session will provide a practical foundation for nonprofit advocacy. Participants will explore the differences between advocacy, lobbying, public education, and partisan political activity; learn what 501(c)(3) organizations can legally do; and consider the roles that staff, executives, board members, and community partners can play in advocacy. The session will also help participants understand why advocacy is an important part of advancing a nonprofit’s mission and how organizations can engage with greater confidence. 

In this training, you will learn to:

• Define advocacy in a nonprofit context and explain why it matters to mission advancement.
• Distinguish between advocacy, lobbying, public education, and partisan political activity.
• Identify advocacy activities that 501(c)(3) organizations can legally engage in and activities they should avoid.
• Describe how nonprofit staff, executives, board members, and community partners can contribute to effective advocacy.

About the DANA Advocacy Academy

The DANA Advocacy Academy is designed to equip nonprofit leaders, staff, board members, and advocacy professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage effectively in public policy. Each workshop will engage participants with a different component of the advocacy process, from the fundamentals of nonprofit advocacy through Delaware’s legislative and budget processes, effective message development, and practical preparation for meetings with policymakers.

• Crafting a Message that Moves People to Action: Tues., October 20, 9:00am - 10:30am
• Ready for Dover: Preparing for DANA’s Subsector Advocacy Days: Thurs., December 17, 10:00am - 11:30am
• Ready for Dover: Preparing for DANA’s Subsector Advocacy Days: Thurs., January 7, 10:00am - 11:30am
• Advocacy Office Hours Session: Mon., January 11, 10:00am - 11:30am

Hosted by James Bush, Public Policy & Advocacy Manager, DANA