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 Policy Update - Policy Update and Washington Quarterly contain legislative and public policy news news, articles, and events of interest compiled and produced by the the Council's Public Policy department. Subscribe online at: https://www.cof.org/account/profile.cfm
	•	National Council of Nonprofits - This site offers Public Policy Resources and Advocacy Tools specifically designed for the nonprofit sector.
	•	Independent Sector Public Affairs Program- Advocates on behalf of the nonprofit community and works with IS members to educate public leaders about nonprofits improve lives and strengthen society.

Advocacy & Lobbying

	•	Alliance for Justice - Offers information, tools and resources for nonprofits and foundations regarding public policy and advocacy.
	•	Center for 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:

	•	First Gov
	•	Thomas – U.S. Library of Congress

State of Pennsylvania & Regional Philadelphia

	•	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 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.

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.
	•	"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.