Small But Mighty: How Smaller Nonprofits Can Engage in Advocacy

Nonprofits often tell me, “We’re too small to do advocacy.”  Maybe you don’t have a government relations director, a policy team, or even one staffer who can track legislation. But here’s the truth: advocacy isn’t reserved for big, well-resourced organizations.

Smaller nonprofits have unique advantages—what I call the four nonprofit advocacy superpowers—that make them powerful advocates in their own right. And by joining coalitions, they can amplify their impact without burning out their limited staff and volunteers.

The Four Superpowers Every Nonprofit Has

As I outlined in my blog, The 4 Nonprofit Advocacy Superpowers, these are the built-in strengths that almost every organization, no matter the size, can leverage:

1. Subject-Matter Expertise You know your issue better than anyone. Policymakers rely on nonprofits to tell them what’s really happening in their communities.

2. Localized Data National statistics are easy to ignore. But when you can say, “In our county, 1 in 3 families rely on our food pantry,” that changes the conversation.

3. Lived-Experience Stories You don’t need a communications department to tell a powerful story. Sharing the voices of your clients, staff, and community is one of the most effective ways to humanize an issue.

4. Mobilized Supporters Even if you don’t have thousands of members, the supporters you do have are often highly committed. A dozen constituents calling their legislator can be just as influential—if not more—than a big nonprofit sending an email blast.

The first step for smaller nonprofits is to look at these four superpowers and identify which ones you are strongest in. That clarity helps you know how to plug into advocacy—and how to contribute meaningfully to coalitions.

The Power of Joining a Coalition

If the thought of keeping up with policy feels overwhelming, remember: you don’t have to do it alone. In my blog Coalitions That Count: Turning Partnerships into Power, I wrote about what makes coalitions effective: clear goals, strong communication, and coordinated roles.

For smaller nonprofits, coalitions are where your superpowers can shine. Instead of worrying about what you can’t do, walk into coalition conversations and say:

• “We don’t have a lobbyist—but we do have compelling local data we can share.”

• “We can’t track every bill, but we can tell powerful lived-experience stories.”

• “We don’t have a big list, but our supporters are deeply committed and will show up.”

By leading with your strengths, you reframe yourself not as the “small org with no capacity,” but as the coalition member bringing unique and essential value.

Getting Started

You don’t need to overhaul your operations to start engaging in advocacy. Try one of these first steps:

• Identify a coalition in your sector and attend their next meeting.

• Share a local story or data point with a partner organization already at the Capitol.

• Mobilize your supporters around one key action this year.

• Meet with your legislator once a year to share what’s happening in your community.

Even small actions add up. Advocacy is a long game, and consistency matters more than size.

Final Thought

Smaller nonprofits can sometimes feel overshadowed by the “big players.” But when you leverage your superpowers and lean into coalitions that count, you’ll find you’re not powerless at all. In fact, your authentic voice and community connection may be the very thing that moves the needle.

If your nonprofit is ready to discover its advocacy superpowers and join coalitions that truly count, let’s connect—Snyder Strategies can help you get started. Let's talk.

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