Great Lakes Alliance Region Advocacy Initiatives NAYE Tuesday, October 16, 2007 organize collaborate mobilize

overview GLA’s advocacy strategy What the research tells us about nonprofit advocacy Current regional activities and the future of our regional work

“advocacy” is the work of making social change aimed at changing policies, systems, and institutions. Advocacy encompasses tactics aimed at public, private, and community entities at every level.

By Feb Year Outcome GLA region uses advocacy tools, skills, & information to support LAs By Year Vision Statement YWCAs MARSHAL THE STRENGTH OF THEIR COLLECTIVE ENERGY in advocating for policies and programs that eliminate racism and empower women INTERVENTION > OUTCOME By Feb Year Outcome LAs ENGAGE in local & statewide advocacy on priority issues that are mission-driven, strategic, and coordinated.

GLA Advocacy Initiatives Strive to: Equip Local YWCAs to be leaders in their communities on issues of racial and economic justice for women and girls

What research tells us about nonprofit advocacy SNAP interviewed 1700 nonprofit organizations in –3 of 4 NPs have engaged in at least one type of public policy advocacy –Of those who said they engage in any advocacy, about 70% do so infrequently –3 biggest barriers to advocacy: limited financial resources confusion regarding the law limited staff or volunteer skills

More Research Nonprofit Sector Research Fund conducted a study of Nonprofit Advocacy in They found that effective advocates: –Developed messages deliberately –Used savvy legislative lobbying techniques –Used organizational capacity building to facilitate effective advocacy

GLA Advocacy Focus Group Conducted with staff from GLA YWCAs in December, 2006 Needs identified by local YWCAs: –Coordinated state councils engaged in advocacy –How-to training/ opportunities to build advocacy skills –Someone to do the work –Financial resources to support advocacy

GLA is addressing barriers/ challenges: Training YWCAs in lobbying rules, 501h Connecting YWCAs to funds for advocacy efforts through Empowerment Fund; seeking external funding for advocacy initiatives Providing skill and issue training for advocates Assisting in coordination of state-level advocacy Building organizational capacity Appropriations lobbying project

GLA Advocacy Activities Empowerment Fund Grants to Local and State YWCAs for Advocacy Initiatives Advocacy E-Source Affinity Group for Peer-to- Peer learning Strategic Advocacy Committee Appropriations Lobbying in 2008 December 2007: Regional Issues Convocation Website: advocacycenter Online and In-person training and technical assistance