Advocacy Isn’t ‘a Dirty Word’

To the Editor:

In the article “State Budget Woes Imperil Financial Future of Many Nonprofit Groups” (August 8), The Chronicle highlights the role of advocacy by nonprofit organizations. The article demonstrates that advocacy fits in with the existing missions of all nonprofits — and even may be necessary to enable them to fulfill those missions.

Advocacy should not be considered a dirty word. Nor should it be considered difficult or scary. Advocacy consists of things such as writing letters to the editor, talking with a reporter, staging a rally, calling your member of Congress, or testifying at a hearing. You do not need any special credentials to advocate, and, depending on the type and extent of your activities, you may not even have to register as a lobbyist.

As of May 10, with over 1,600 pieces of nonprofit-related legislation introduced in state legislatures around the country — many of which pose threats to the viability and rights of nonprofits — nonprofits need to be ready, willing, and able to advocate for themselves. As the article shows, and as we have seen with many successful campaigns of the state associations, advocacy efforts are critical to nonprofits — be they preventing state budget cuts, fighting off taxes to nonprofit property, or staving off ineffective or overly burdensome regulations.

Abby R. Levine
Public-Policy Analyst
National Council of Nonprofit Associations
Washington