Advocacy 101 Megaphone for Your Mission David Martinez III Advocacy & Outreach Specialist St. Mary s Food Bank Alliance @SMFBadvocate Samuel Richard Executive Director Protecting Arizona s Family Coalition @samuelisaac
Presentation Outcomes 1. What is advocacy? 2. Why should we advocate? 3. How can we advocate?
We are not: Attorneys Accountants We are: Educators Organizers Lobbyists
What is Advocacy? We don t do advocacy. Programs Education Advocacy
What is Advocacy? Public charities can engage civically. IRS Office of Exempt Organizations: Nonprofits are allowed to conduct nonpartisan activities that educate the public and help them participate in the electoral process (such as) voter education, voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives and candidate forums. Public charities can lobby under federal law. Lobbying: Communications that are intended to influence specific legislation
Direct Lobbying vs. Grassroots Lobbying Direct Lobbying: Communications expressing your view on specific legislation to a legislator, employee of a legislative body, or any other government employee that may participate in the formulation of legislation Direct Lobbying does not include: 1. Nonpartisan analysis, study or research that presents all sides of an issue 2. Responses to written requests for assistance from committee or other legislative bodies 3. Challenges to or support for legislative proposal that would change the organizations rights or its right to exist 4. Examinations and discussions of broad social, economic, and similar problems Grassroots Lobbying: Communication in an attempt to influence specific legislation by encouraging the public
How Much Lobbying Can We Do? Depends on how substantial lobbying is: Default Insubstantial Part Test No substantial part of a charity s activities be carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. 3-5% of overall activities Optional 501(h) Expenditure Test Provides a clear dollar amount allowable for lobbying depending on your budget Organizations must file IRS Form 5768 if using this test Grassroots lobbying limited to 25% of total lobbying limit using this test
How Much Lobbying Can We Do? Optional 501(h) Expenditure Test If the amount of exempt purpose expenditures is: $500,000 Lobbying nontaxable amount is: 20% of the exempt purpose expenditures > $500,000 but $1M $100,000 plus 15% of the excess purpose expenditures over $500,000 < $1M but $1.5M $175,000 plus 10% of excess of exempt purpose expenditures over $1M > $1M $225,000 plus 5% of the exempt purpose expenditures over $1.5M
Why Advocate? 1. It s in our mission and/or strategic goals! It is the mission of St. Mary s Food Bank Alliance to alleviate hunger through the gathering and distribution of food while encouraging self-sufficiency, collaboration, advocacy and education. 2. There is a clear ROI National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy $1 investment : $115 community benefit
Why Advocate? 999,000 $122.00 75% 51%
Why Advocate? Direct Impact Policies 2016 Legislative Session SNAP Finger-Imaging SNAP Eligibility Restrictions (SB1161) School Gardens (HB2518) Arizona Charitable Tax Credit (SB1216/1217) Federal Policies & Regulations Department of Labor Overtime Regulations
How to Advocate We Should Advocate Based on Proven Strategies We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. - Thomas Jefferson
In-Person Visits from Constituents Contact From Constituents' Reps. Individualized Postal Letters Individualized Email Messages Phone Calls Telephone Town Hall Comments Visit From a Lobbyist News Editorial Individualized Faxes Form Postal Letters Form Email Messages 54% 51% 97% 96% 90% 88% 86% 85% 82% 75% 70% Postcards Comments on Social Media Sites Form Faxes 30% 42% 45% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% A Lot of Positive Influence Some Influence
How to Advocate We Should Advocate as Thought Leaders Research Policy Priorities/Agenda One-pagers Policy Briefs Outreach Communicate Engage Empower Policy Impact Influence Drive Track Your Progress a. Engaging with elected officials b. Recruiting and mobilizing grassroots support c. Recruiting and mobilizing grasstops allies d. Leveraging local media e. Building partnerships
We Should use Our Roles as Advocates to Educate
Make Your Outreach POP Purpose Outcome Process Send Messages w/ a KISS Keep It Short & Simple Lean on PISA for Messaging Problem Impact Solution Action
How to Advocate Civic Engagement Civic Engagement must be a statewide priority individuals and groups Make policies less polarizing Mobilize civic engagement and promote voting in all segments of the population
How to Advocate Civic Engagement 501(c)(3) nonprofits can: Register voters Educate voters on issues without telling them whom to vote for Endorse ballot propositions Remind voters about voting and help them get to the polls 501(c)(3) nonprofits cannot: Endorse or oppose candidates Use their resources to support or oppose candidates Make a contribution to a candidate Rate candidates on issues
How to Advocate Civic Engagement Voter Registration NVRA of 1993 Ensuring that you are registered at your current residence Register for the Permanent Early Voter List (PEVL) Voter Education Post & distribute schedule of candidate forums Prepare questions to ask during candidate forums Host local candidates for tours and/or coffee talks Take a position on propositions Voter Mobilization Election Day? NO! Repetition Messages everywhere Assistance to get to the polls
Presentation Outcomes What is advocacy? Three PEAs in a pod & lawfully lobbying Why should nonprofits advocate? It s in our mission, has a clear ROI & because we have a microphone! How can nonprofits advocate? Based on proven & tracked strategies; through research, outreach, & policy; by education & outreach that POPs, sent with a KISS, & by leaning on PISA; and with civic engagement!
Thank You! David Martinez III Advocacy & Outreach Specialist St. Mary s Food Bank Alliance (602) 343-2554 dxmartinez@firstfoodbank.org @SMFBadvocate Samuel Richard Executive Director Protecting Arizona s Family Coalition (602) 550-1338 sam@pafcoalition.org @samuelisaac