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Advocacy Blog
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The Need for Nonprofits to Lobby during Economic Uncertainty
The Financial Times reports on some nonprofits' plans for the upcoming year in 2008. With a troubling economy and increasing income gap, a demand for service organizations will only increase, leaving behind concerns that the groups will have adequate funds. In response, many organizations will become more involved in the political debate, and hopefully lawmakers will have an understanding of the sector's needs. Accordingly, service organizations must lobby the government in a time of economic instability so that the needs of the poor and middle class are met.
And non-profit chiefs are more likely than ever to lobby Washington. "[The Salvation Army] is getting involved with public policy in a non-partisan way. We are apolitical, but all of the issues that face society are impacted by politics," Gaither says. "It's about being a voice for the voiceless."
In pursuing their varied missions, many non-profits are working to cultivate local grassroots support while also broadening their national and global reach. Simultaneously with the launch of national media campaigns, the ACS [American Cancer Society] has trained cancer survivors from all 435 congressional districts to explain pressing policy changes that could facilitate a cure for cancer.
Posted by Amanda Adams
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