Legislative Advocacy for Community-Based Organizations: An NCLR Tool Kit

Author:	NCLR
Contact:	Sara Benitez
Date:	Nov 15, 2007
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Related
Topic:	Advocacy and Electoral Empowerment
Programs:	Civic Engagement, Emerging Latino Communities Initiative, Field Advocacy Project

Summary

This tool kit provides community-based organizations with information and materials needed to get involved in legislative advocacy. It contains rules for nonprofit lobbying, a guide for developing a legislative advocacy campaign, information on the federal legislative and budget process, and links to additional resources. The appendix contains sample letters and emails to members of Congress, sample fact sheets, action alerts, tips for coalition-building, and letters to the editor.

Description

Community-based organizations can influence the policy-making process through legislative advocacy. Nonprofits at every level can engage in lobbying and maintain their tax-exempt status. This tool kit explains the basic rules for nonprofit participation in advocacy and lobbying. Legislative advocacy is an important activity that community-based organizations can carry out to achieve their mission and engage clients as agents of change.