Advocacy is the active support of an idea or a cause. A nonproift should advocate on behalf of its constituency, organization, and the nonprofit sector as a whole in order to advance the mission of the organization. Involvement in advocacy, public policy, and civic engagement will vary in sophistication dependent upon an organization’s mission and strategic direction. Nonproifts should encourage braod community participation in these efforts and, in the process, provde appropriate assistance when needed. These practices pertain only to nonpartisan public policy issues.
When a nonprofit advocates for or against specific pending legislation or ballot issues, federal and state lobbying rules will apply. Lobbying activities are permitted but a nonprofit must not violate the prohibition on endorsing a candidate or elected official and must stay within regulatory limits on activities that meet the definition of lobbying. By knowing and observing these rules, nonprofits may legally include lobbying activities directed at specific legislation or ballot issues in their advocacy efforts.
Excerpt from, Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado.
Colorado Nonprofit Association maintains up to date resources for Colorado nonprofits to be engaged in policy and advocacy efforts.
To support our Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Coloradowe have created supporting materials to help you and your organization better understand key principles, update or create essential policies and have an assessment for each of our principle areas.
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