Events

The August congressional recess is one of the most important timeframes for nonprofits to influence their representatives, but it can be challenging to determine the most impactful pathways to engage and advocate. This session will share how to use power mapping to develop strategies that reflect organizational values, address challenging political dynamics, and encourage community-wide involvement.

Policy decisions are shaped long before votes are cast or guidance is issued. The most effective advocacy efforts begin when issues are being defined, priorities are being determined, and policy options are still forming.

In a rapidly shifting federal climate, it becomes increasingly important to ensure advocacy messaging remains disciplined, values driven, and mission oriented. This session will focus on crafting communications that withstand scrutiny, protect credibility, and support long-term policy goals.

Our July Grassroots Advocacy Network convening will offer a practical framework for monitoring and evaluating advocacy campaigns to support continuous learning and improvement. Participants will explore strategies for setting clear advocacy goals, identifying meaningful indicators of progress, and tracking both short-term wins and long-term influence across legislative and administrative efforts.

This session will guide organizations through the core components of a sustainable advocacy infrastructure, clarifying roles, decision-making processes, and opportunities for engagement. Participants will explore practical frameworks for aligning leadership, staff, and community voices; establishing internal protocols for rapid response; and right-sizing advocacy efforts to match organizational capacity.