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Engaging in advocacy is the most significant way nonprofits can serve their missions and influence their communities. While nonprofits are vital voices in shaping public policy, they often lack the capacity to incorporate advocacy as a core element of their mission. To empower nonprofit professionals as advocates, we are offering a comprehensive learning series designed to teach the skills, strategies, and processes of effective advocacy. Facilitated by Gina Marsh, this series will equip participants with actionable tools to strengthen their organizations’ advocacy efforts.

Development of this series was made possible through a grant from The Murray and Agnes Seasongood Good Government Foundation.


Program Overview
The series will include the following in-person sessions, 9:00 – 11:00 am, every other Tuesday from Sept. 30 – Nov. 25. You may register individually or for the full series.

Sept. 30: Policy and Advocacy 101
Gain foundational knowledge about policymaking and specific steps you can take to start advocating on behalf of your organization.

• Advocacy and its importance to the nonprofit sector.

• The various types of public policy.

• Advocacy vs. lobbying and how nonprofits can do both.

• The process of building an advocacy agenda.

• Specific ways to start advocating.

Oct. 14: Developing an Advocacy Plan
Learn to create a strategic roadmap for advocacy tailored to your organization’s mission.

• Creating a policy agenda tailored to an organization’s mission.

• Developing a strategy to achieve a policy goal.

• Building and maintaining coalitions and partnerships for collective impact.

Oct. 28: Advocacy Strategies and Tactics
Learn techniques and approaches to execute successful advocacy campaigns.

• Building relationships with policymakers.

• How to prepare for meetings with legislators.

• Engaging and mobilizing grassroots support.

• Testifying at public hearings.

Nov. 11: Local and State Government Basics
Explore the roles and processes of local and state government and how nonprofits can effectively engage with them.

• The landscape of governmental entities in Hamilton County.

• Local government policymaking processes and the relevant departments that comprise

their administrations, with a focus on the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

• The major decision points at the City and County that provide opportunities for nonprofits

to advocate.

• Ohio General Assembly structure and budget process.

Nov. 25: Nonprofit Funding Sources
Learn about the different funding sources that fund nonprofits at the local level.

• Local levies.

• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).

• City leveraged funding.

• County allocations for nonprofits.

Target Audience
The series is designed for nonprofit CEO/EDs, leadership staff involved in advocacy and external relations, fundraising professionals, government relations specialists, program managers, board members, and others engaged in advocacy efforts.