Features

The author offers a rich illustration of the range of options available to nonprofit organizations, clarifying and distinguishing among the many definitions of the term, advocacy.

The author traces the sector’s reluctant support for public policy advocacy to the success of a deliberate, 20-year campaign of misinformation and intimidation, orchestrated by social conservatives against “liberal” foundations and their grantees.

Alvarado believes that public advocacy by nonprofit organizations is an indispensable mission component. However, becoming effective policy assets will require that the sector begin building the infrastructure that will facilitate its speaking and acting as a united front.

This table features a number of public policy initiatives lead by state nonprofit associations. 

Eisenberg concludes that despite the dramatic growth, frenetic activity and increasing diversity, the nonprofit sector’s influence over meaningful public policy is actually weaker than ever before.

Payout advocates argue that the only substantive barrier to raising current levels of charitable spending is timidity--at both ends of the grantmaking relationship.  

The author examines recent proposals that would mandate a burdensome increase in reporting of advocacy-related activities.

Local practitioners share their experiences with mission-driven advocacy at the state and local levels on issues ranging from housing for homeless families to campaign finance reform.
·        Marilyn Miller, Portland Impact
·        Daniella Levine, Human Services Council of Miami-Dade
·        Scott Douglas, Greater Birmingham Ministries
·        Max Bartlett, ReVisioning New Mexico

Departments

Financial Management

What Is Allowed within a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization Raffa assures us that the Internal Revenue Code is not a barrier to nonprofits promoting their interests--provided the distinction between lobbying and advocacy is understood and documented.

Boards of Directors

McCambrige offers 10 principles of nonprofit governance, not as a prescription, but as jumping-off point for boards examining their own effectiveness. 

Fundraising:

Confronting the taboos often associated with death and money, Karant offers some guidance of beginning a simple planned giving effort.

Opinion:

Which Sector Are We In, Anyway_

Looking at the trend toward more “business-like” nonprofits, Spack recognizes the attraction, but remains unconvinced.

Spirit of Our Work

For Hardie, sailing becomes a metaphor for leadership in which the dialogue between wind, waves and an able seaman captures the interplay of contradiction, ambiguity, and rhythm that is at the heart of effective executive direction.

Human Resources:

Comp-time is not available for all. The Fair Labor Act Standards mandates over time pay rather than comp-time for some job categories.

Technology

IRS scrutiny of nonprofit Internet use may influence the sector’s growing application of new technology to initiatives in public advocacy and donor outreach.

Classified

Learning Center