At their core, nonprofits exist to make our lives better and our communities stronger. They develop solutions to problems, address critical gaps in services, provide direct services, and, importantly, advocate for change.
Advocacy is a powerful lever to advance nonprofit missions, yet it is often misunderstood.
First, it is important to distinguish advocacy from lobbying, both of which are permissible activities for nonprofit organizations. Generally, lobbying consists of communications focused on influencing specific legislation. While there are limits on the amount of lobbying a 501(c)3 nonprofit can undertake, it is legal. The IRS provides a process and guidelines for nonprofits to demonstrate that lobbying expenditures are within the legal limits.
Advocacy, on the other hand, is a much broader set of activities designed to educate policymakers, the media, and the public about issues central to your nonprofit’s mission. Advocacy has no legal limits and can include conducting and sharing research, educating people about your cause, convening stakeholders to discuss issues, sharing personal stories, and developing relationships with policymakers. Simply put, advocacy is about shaping the conversation so that your organization’s mission can thrive.
Why Should Nonprofits Advocate?
Advocacy is mission driven. Engaging in advocacy is an effective strategy for nonprofits and can have multiple beneficial outcomes:
- Raising awareness of your cause can mobilize supporters, engage volunteers, and build a broader base of support.
- Addressing policy issues can create systems change that will have a long-term impact.
- Enhance sustainability for your organization by shaping policies and funding priorities that support your mission.
- Collaborations with other organizations and coalitions can be strengthened through shared advocacy efforts.
- It safeguards your organization’s mission, helping protect both their constituents and organization from harmful policies.
Nonprofits are uniquely positioned to be effective advocates. Embedded in communities, nonprofits have first-hand insights into the challenges their constituents face. In NH, with its citizen-legislature, nonprofits can provide crucial data and compelling personal stories that illuminate the real-world impact of policies. This ensures that the voices of those served by your organization are heard in policy discussions.
Calling All Board Members
Advocacy is an essential role of the nonprofit board, yet research shows that many boards are not fully engaged in this work. Here are some steps your board can take to get started:
- Discuss the trends and issues impacting your organization’s constituents.
- Assess changes in the policy landscape that could impact the organization’s work. What are the threats as well as opportunities?
- Understand your organization’s budget and assess funding that is vulnerable to policy shifts.
- Develop a shared vision for how the organization will engage in advocacy.
- Ensure the resources needed, both human and financial, are available to advance the advocacy strategy.
- Provide training and/or guidance to board members to help them be effective advocates.
- Encourage board members to be champions for your cause, leveraging their expertise and influence.
The Policy Landscape
Being a bold champion for nonprofits is a core strategy for the NH Center for Nonprofits. The Center engages in both broad advocacy—communicating the value and impact of nonprofits across the state—and legislative lobbying. Key areas of our focus include charitable giving and tax-exempt policies, fair contracting practices, enhancing the partnership between government and nonprofits, and self-governance and public engagement.
The current policy landscape for nonprofits is intense, with challenges at both the federal and state levels. The tax reconciliation bill passed in June cut funding for safety net programs, while also changing tax policy that is expected to reduce charitable giving. The state’s budget included drastic cuts to the arts, as well as changes to Medicaid that may reduce healthcare access.
And, as of press time, the federal government shutdown reached a record length. Organizations like the NH Food Bank are being dispatched to feed more than 75,000 state residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but advocates know that this plan is hardly feasible and is unsustainable in the long term. This is just one example of the pressure NH nonprofits are under.
As we gear up for the NH’s 2026 legislative session, the Center’s Public Policy Committee is reviewing bills that will have an impact on the sector. We expect legislation seeking to change revenue distribution through charitable gaming. We are watching the newly created oversight commission, as well as legislation being introduced. We are also concerned about attempts to tax nonprofit properties and will be engaging our members on this issue.
Engage and Lead
Advocacy is not just an organizational activity; it is a responsibility and opportunity for everyone who cares about a cause. Board members, staff, volunteers, donors, and community supporters all can shape public understanding, influence policy, and protect the communities they serve. Whether by sharing research, telling constituent stories, attending community meetings, or directly engaging with policymakers, anyone can contribute to advancing a mission. Every effort, big or small, helps build a stronger, more resilient nonprofit sector.
Kathleen Reardon is CEO of the NH Center for Nonprofits, which strengthens and gives voice to the state’s nonprofit sector through leadership, collaboration, and learning opportunities. For more information, visit nhnonprofits.org.
