Why Public Policy Is Important to Grantmakers
			Foundations and Lobbying
			Contacting Your Elected Officials
			Public Policy, Advocacy and Legislative Links

Public Policy, Advocacy and Legislative Links

Listed below are Web resources that provide information on public policy, advocacy and legislation affecting philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. For helpful tips on communicating with government representatives or to find your legislator, please also visit our page entitled Contacting Your Elected Officials.

NATIONAL

Legislative & Policy

	•	Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy - Located at the University of Southern California, the center promotes more effective philanthropy and strengthens the nonprofit sector through research that informs philanthropic decision making and public policy to advance public problem solving.
	•	Council on Foundations Legislative Network - This grassroots network is comprised of over 230 foundation representatives who educate Members of Congress about the value of organized philanthropy in their state or district. Provides frequent legislative updates through the LN e-mail list, quick-reference congressional directories, access to the Council's Legislative Network Web page, a roster of all LN members and who they are covering, and biographies for each Member of Congress they agree to visit.
	•	Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers Public Policy Toolkit- Provides strategies and tips for grantmakers seeking to enter the public policy arena.
	•	GiveVoice - A joint venture of Independent Sector and the National Council of Nonprofit Organizations, the site offers Public Policy Resources and Advocacy Tools specifically designed for the nonprofit sector.
	•	Independent Sector Public Affairs Program- Provides information in the areas of: Tax Legislation, Nonprofit Lobbying and Advocacy, Government Funding, Accountability and Oversight. Also publishes a monthly Public Policy Update, an executive briefing on federal and state issues affecting philanthropy and nonprofit activity.

Advocacy & Lobbying

	•	Alliance for Justice Foundation Advocacy Initiative - Founded in 1995 by the Alliance for Justice, a national association of public interest organizations, The Foundation Advocacy Initiative seeks to increase foundation support to organizations that seek to influence policy and public opinion.
	•	Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest- CLPI was founded in 1998 out of a concern that the essential public policy role of charities is significantly undermined by several persistent barriers and educates nonprofits about the important role that lobbying plays in achieving their missions.
	•	NPAction - Founded by OMB Watch, this site provides guidance on nonprofit advocacy, including individual state advocacy guides.
	•	OMB Watch - Formed in 1983, OMB Watch promotes government accountability by tracking activities of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), concentrating its work in five key areas: Budget and government performance issues; Regulatory and government accountability; Information for democracy and community; Nonprofit advocacy and other cross-cutting nonprofit issues; and Nonprofit policy and technology.

LEGISLATIVE
General:

	•	America Online Government Guide
	•	First Gov
	•	Thomas – U.S. Library of Congress

State of Pennsylvania & Regional Philadelphia

	•	IssuesPA - Launched by the Pennsylvania Economy League during the 2002 gubernatorial election, Issues PA is a non-partisan statewide awareness project focused on raising the issues most critical to Pennsylvania's future.
	•	Metropolitan Philadelphia Policy Center - Formed in the spring of 2000, the Metropolitan Philadelphia Policy Center works to help residents of the Philadelphia region better understand the policies, issues and trends that are shaping our daily lives, and to strengthen our ability to work together for change.
	•	Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ Public Policy - Contains information on current issues and legislation at the state (PA) and federal level that impacts the nonprofit sector.
	•	Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce electronic newsletter “The Insider” – subscribe online
	•	Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations- Administers the state's charitable solicitation law and maintains registration and financial information on over 7,400 charities licensed to solicit in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
	•	Pennsylvania General Assembly (House and Senate)
	•	PoliticsPA - Operated by the Publius Group, this independently-run site serves as a resource for observers of the Pennsylvania political scene.
	•	Stateline.org - Operated by the Pew Center on the States, a research organization administered by the University of Richmond, and funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, Stateline.org was founded in order to help journalists, policy makers and engaged citizens become better informed about innovative public policies.

PUBLICATIONS on NONPROFIT LOBBYING and ADVOCACY:

	•	"The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations" - By Marcia Avner of the Minnesota Council for Nonprofits, available from the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. This book provides some very practical approaches to influencing policy at the local, state, and national levels and includes help on creating a planning process. The most helpful section of the book is the Worksheets, which provide step-by-step guidance.
	•	Advocacy and Lobbying without Fear: What Is Allowed within a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization” by Thomas Raffa - Nonprofit Quarterly. Understanding the distinction between lobbying and advocacy is an important first step in knowing what is permissible in your efforts to affect public policy.
	•	"Advocacy 101" - Presented on the Center for Community Change Web site, which provides some helpful articles on how to advocate, how to pick winning issues, and what you can and cannot do legally.
	•	The Nonprofit Lobbying Guide by Bob Smucker - This is an essential resource for any nonprofit wanting to take on more of a role in lobbying. It includes background on the lobbying laws, on grassroots coalitions, and on using electronic media and other topics. The entire website is an excellent source of information.
	•	"Advocacy, Oh, Yes You Can..." - An entire issue of the Nonprofit Quarterly focused on advocacy as a core competency for nonprofits.
	•	Alliance for Justice Nonprofit Advocacy Project - Works to strengthen the voice of the nonprofit sector in important public policy debates by giving tax-exempt organizations a better understanding of the laws that govern their participation in the policy process. The Project provides workshops, research and publications, and other technical assistance.
	•	"Worry-Free Lobbying for Nonprofits" - This booklet from the Alliance for Justice describes how nonprofit groups, and the foundations that support them, can take advantage of the clear and generous provisions in federal law that encourages their lobbying activities.