Advocacy & Civic Engagement | North Carolina Center for Nonprofits

Call with Confidence: Ten Tips for Talking with Policy Makers

Lisa Hazirjian, Ph.D., Win Together Consulting

I have a confession to make: I get a little nervous whenever I call a policy maker. OK, more than a little. We’re talking heart racing as I dial, grabbing a sip of water for my dry mouth as I wait for someone to pick up the phone. Yet despite that, when there’s a public policy question on which I want to be heard, I call my elected officials because I’ve seen firsthand what a difference phone calls from constituents can make.

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast - "Nonprofits are important advocates on issues critical to every community, but sometimes the rules and regulations of advocacy can be barriers to entry. In Rules of the Game, Bolder Advocacy attorneys use real examples to demystify these laws to help 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofits be bolder advocates, whether holding elected officials accountable, educating candidates, engaging voters, or lobbying for policy change."

State Unemployment: A Look Back as a Way to Look Forward

Marshall Whittey, Regional Sales Director, First Nonprofit

A Halftime Report on NC Nonprofit Legislation in 2021

Last updated: May 26, 2021

David Heinen, Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy

A Nonprofit Conversation with State Legislators

A bipartisan panel of state legislators will discuss state policy priorities in 2021 and give a preview of the process for developing the state budget. The panel will also share tips on effective ways for nonprofits to advocate for their missions and insights on opportunities for nonprofits to engage with elected officials during the pandemic. We will have a moderated Q&A session to allow participants a chance to get input from the legislative panelists.

Presenter: David Heinen, Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits

American Rescue Plan Provides Relief to Nonprofits

On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (American Rescue Plan) into law. Because of the widespread and persistent advocacy of nonprofits (thank you!), it includes many important provisions that directly affect nonprofits and the communities they serve. Here are a few highlights.

Nonprofit Policy Briefing

Get an overview of the latest federal COVID-19 relief plans – including the American Rescue Plan Act – the state budget and major legislation affecting nonprofits, and potential policy solutions that could help nonprofits during the 2021 NC legislative session.

Presenter: David Heinen, Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits

Recording length: 1 hour, 2 minutes

Writing Effective Notes to Your Elected Officials

Lisa Hazirjian, Ph.D., Win Together Consulting

Seven Questions to Answer Before You Make Your Ask

While written to help nonprofit leaders think strategically about public policy advocacy, these seven steps are useful to follow when developing fundraising asks, internal programmatic or organizational policy proposals, or other kinds of requests. (Shared with permission by Lisa Hazirjian, Ph.D., Win Together Consulting)

Communications in a Post-COVID World: How to Advocate Strategically for Your Nonprofit’s Mission

When COVID-19 hit, our world changed. Organizations had to decide how to move forward while dealing with unanswered questions about what this would mean for your team, for your stakeholders, and for your partners. While nonprofits’ missions are more important than ever, the public, media, and funders are focused on work and messages directly related to COVID-19.