Don't Go It Alone: Why Engaging Your Allies is Critical to Advocacy Success

Recently, I heard about a nonprofit association that faced a serious challenge: a major source of their funding was on the chopping block during their state’s budget negotiations.

They had a lobbyist on retainer.

They activated their own members to speak out.

On the surface, it looked like they were checking the right boxes.

But there was a major gap in their strategy: They didn’t engage the broader nonprofit sector or their coalition partners.

When I asked the organization’s leadership why they had made this decision, their answer was simple:"We didn’t want to bother anyone."

While understandable — none of us want to be seen as a nuisance — this was a huge missed opportunity. Worse, it could have long-term consequences that extend far beyond this year’s budget cycle.

Why Not Engaging Coalition Partners Is a Risky Strategy

Advocacy doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Every funding source, every policy battle, and every legislative conversation is influenced by broader narratives and power dynamics.

By deciding not to engage sector allies and coalition partners, this organization:

• Limited their reach. Their immediate membership could only get them so far. Sector partners could have broadened their message across regions, sectors, and issue areas, building more political pressure.

• Missed the chance to educate. Advocacy isn’t just about this year’s budget. It’s about laying groundwork. By educating a wider audience now, they could have built stronger champions for the future — and made future challenges much harder for opponents to justify.

• Isolated themselves politically. When a policy battle happens in isolation, it signals to policymakers that the issue might not be that important or urgent. Coalition and sector engagement shows broad support and adds weight to your advocacy.

  
  

In other words: The decision not to engage partners didn’t just make it harder to win this time. It made it harder to win next time, too.

"Bothering" People Isn't the Problem — Poor Engagement Is

I often tell my clients: You’re not bothering people when you invite them to stand up for something important. You’re giving them an opportunity to lead, to act, and to make a difference.

The real issue isn’t asking for help. It’s how you ask for help. Smart, respectful partner engagement doesn’t overwhelm people — it empowers them. It’s about:

• Framing the issue clearly: "This funding supports X critical services — and losing it would harm our entire sector."

• Offering turnkey actions: "Here’s a simple sign-on letter," "Join this virtual meeting," or "Make a quick call."

• Showing respect for their time and priorities: "We know you’re juggling a lot. Here’s exactly how you can help — and how it advances all our work."

And here’s the key: You should always ask. They can say no — and that’s okay. But if you don’t ask, you’re not just missing tactical support.

You’re missing the chance to invite people into your work, into your vision, and into a shared sense of ownership over your mission's future.

Invitation is leadership. It shows you value your partners as part of the solution — not just as an afterthought.

The Forward-Thinking Approach: Building a Stronger Advocacy Ecosystem

Here’s the truth: The most effective advocacy isn’t transactional. It’s transformational.

It’s about weaving together relationships, credibility, and shared interests long before (and after) a crisis point.

When the nonprofit sector is interconnected, informed, and activated:

• Policymakers see a stronger, unified front.

• Funders recognize investment-worthy leadership.

• Communities are better protected from policy threats.

The lesson from this nonprofit’s experience is clear:

• Next time, don't fight alone.

• Build the ecosystem now.

• Engage your partners early and often — even when it feels a little uncomfortable. Especially then.

At Snyder Strategies, we help organizations move from reactive to strategic — and from isolated to influential.If you’re ready to rethink your advocacy approach and build the partnerships you need to thrive, let's talk.

Ready to build your advocacy muscle? Contact Snyder Strategies today.

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