Government shutdowns aren’t just cable news fodder — they have very real consequences for nonprofits and the communities we serve. Delayed payments, disrupted services, higher costs, reduced impact. Sound familiar? Yeah, we’ve been here before. I know this firsthand. I was working for Senator Al Franken during the 18-day 2013 shutdown in his state office in St. Paul, Minnesota. DC felt like a ghost town. Constituents were panicked. And guess who became the lifeline? The state and district offices. While D.C. was empty, local staff were the bridge between nonprofits, constituents, and federal operations. That’s why, if your organization could be affected by a shutdown, you need to get proactive on the advocacy side — now. Here are 7 steps you can take. Step 1: Determine if you’ll be impacted Not every nonprofit will feel the hit the same way. Take five minutes to check your funding streams and contracts. If you receive federal dollars, rely on reimbursements, or serve populations tied to federal programs, you’re at risk. Here’s a quick primer from NPR that can help: How a shutdown could affect you . Step 2: Connect with your Senators’ and Representatives’ local staff Forget waiting until D.C. gets back to work. State and district staff are always  important, but they become critical during a shutdown. These are the people who can elevate your concerns, troubleshoot problems, and connect you to whatever limited resources exist. Reach out and ask for a meeting (phone or in-person). Keep it short and focused — this is about clarity, not drama. Step 3: Bring receipts (aka data + stories) When you meet with staff, have a one-pager ready that shows: The numbers : contracts or payments at risk, people served, potential delays. The stories : real examples of how a shutdown will hurt your community. Numbers show the scale. Stories show the stakes. Together, they make your message impossible to ignore. And here’s the pro move: don’t just hand over your fact sheet — let staff know your organization is ready to lift up these impacts publicly.  Offer to host a site visit, join a press conference, or provide a spokesperson if they need real-world voices for the media. That takes your advocacy from “informative” to indispensable. Step 4: Ask about shutdown logistics During prolonged shutdowns, during which staff may be furloughed, every Senate and congressional office designates one or two “essential” staff who keep the lights on during a shutdown. Ask your state and district staff: Who are the "essential" staff? How can you reach them if the shutdown drags on? How will the office be communicating with nonprofits and constituents during a longer shutdown? They may not have all the answers — but they’ll remember that you asked. And that you’re paying attention. Step 5: Understand the difference between official  vs. campaign  activity Shutdown or not, lawmakers don’t just vanish. Their official duties continue — they still hold their seats, still have constitutional responsibilities, and their paychecks don’t stop (unless they specifically vote to withhold them). Here’s what that means for nonprofits: District/state offices may be pared down, but they’re still functioning.  Constituent services, official meetings, and site visits can still happen. Lawmakers often use shutdown time to meet with local groups, tour facilities, and hold listening sessions. These are considered official duties. Campaigning is separate.  In election years especially, lawmakers may blend their schedules — one stop is an official meeting with a nonprofit, the next is a campaign rally. The distinction comes down to resources: if taxpayer dollars are used, it’s official. If it’s campaign-paid, it’s campaign. Why does this matter for you? Because even during a shutdown, you can and should engage with lawmakers in their official capacity.  They’ll be back home, eager to show they’re listening and working. That’s your opening to highlight the real impacts on your community. And again, extend the invitation: “We’d be glad to host you for a site visit or community roundtable so you can hear directly from those affected.”  That makes it clear your nonprofit isn’t just sharing problems — you’re creating platforms for solutions. Step 6: Build the relationship, not just the moment If you already know these staffers, this will feel like a natural check-in. If you don’t, it may feel awkward. That’s okay. Reiterate that you’re not just here for this crisis — you want to build a lasting relationship beyond the shutdown. That’s how real advocacy power is built: consistent, authentic connection. Step 7: Share your story beyond Congress Lawmakers aren’t the only ones who need to hear about shutdown impacts. The media plays a powerful role in shaping the narrative. Local reporters are always looking for concrete, community-based stories — and your nonprofit has them. Start reaching out to your press contacts too. Share your data, pitch your stories, and don’t be afraid to name how a shutdown puts your mission and the people you serve at risk. The more coverage, the more pressure on Congress to act. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel — Use NCN’s Resource The National Council of Nonprofits  has created an excellent resource, Government Shutdown: What Should Nonprofits Do? , which lays out a full guide of financial, operational, programmatic, and communication steps nonprofits can take right now. Here’s the piece of their checklist I want to lift up: Engage in Advocacy. Because advocacy is cheaper (and way less stressful) than crisis management. Get Expert Support Preparing for a shutdown isn’t just about tightening your budget — it’s about making your voice impossible to ignore. That’s where I come in. I help nonprofits: Build relationships with lawmakers and their staff (before the crisis hits). Craft fact sheets and talking points that combine data + stories  for maximum impact. Train staff and board members to advocate with confidence. Leverage the media and public pressure to amplify your message. Bottom line: you don’t have to navigate shutdown advocacy alone. If you’re ready to get proactive — not panicked — let’s connect. Want more smart, actionable advocacy insights like this? Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No BS—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

Let’s be honest: nonprofit leaders are busy.  You’re juggling fundraising goals, board meetings, staff management, community partnerships—and somewhere in that mix, someone (maybe even me!) is telling you that you should be doing more advocacy. And I get it. It can feel overwhelming, especially if you're not sure where to start or whether you’re even “qualified” to engage in policy work. That’s exactly why I created the “What’s Your Advocacy Edge?”  quiz. It takes about 3 minutes, tops. And it might just give you the clarity you’ve been craving. It’s not about passing a test—it’s about naming your strengths This isn’t a “gotcha” quiz. It’s not about measuring how “good” you are at advocacy or whether you’re doing it “right.” It’s about finding your edge. It’s about understanding where you are on your advocacy journey—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Do you have strong connections to community members with lived experience? That’s advocacy power. Do you hold valuable localized data? That’s power. Do you have passionate donors or supporters just waiting to be activated? Yep—also power. Advocacy is not just for policy wonks and lobbyists. It’s for nonprofits that want to make systemic change—not just put out fires. Know where you are, so you can plan where to go In my blog post, “The 4 Nonprofit Advocacy Superpowers,” I talk about the unique strengths organizations bring to advocacy: storytelling, data, relationships, and mobilization. This quiz helps you identify which of those superpowers you’re already using—and which ones you could grow into. Plus, it helps you assess whether you're an: 🏆 Advocacy Powerhouse 🔧 Strategic Builder 🌱 Emerging Advocate 🐣 Just Getting Started None of these are bad. They’re all just stages. Knowing where you stand is the key to choosing the right tools, partners, and strategy. You’ll walk away with tools and tips—no strings attached At the end of the quiz, I’ll send you tools, frameworks, and tips for moving forward—based on your  results. This isn’t a sales funnel disguised as a Buzzfeed quiz. It’s something I genuinely built to help nonprofit leaders feel less overwhelmed and more equipped. Because here’s what I know after 20+ years in this work (and, yes, working in the U.S. Senate and leading coalitions): Nonprofits don’t need to do everything. They need to do the right  things, in the right  order, using the strengths they already have. Ready to take it? It takes about 3 minutes, tops. And it might just give you the clarity you’ve been craving. Let me know what result you get. I love hearing how it resonates! Want more smart, actionable advocacy insights like this? Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No fluff—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

#1 Rule of Fight Club - if advocacy is central to your mission—or should be—you can’t afford to leave it out of your strategic planning process. Too many nonprofits hold board retreats or strategic planning sessions that focus on fundraising, governance, and programs (all important!), but skip the bigger question: What’s our advocacy strategy?  That’s like mapping a road trip without ever deciding the destination. Why Advocacy Strategy Belongs in Your Planning Your board retreat or strategic planning session is when you zoom out and set the direction for the future. It’s where you decide not just what programs to run or what funds to raise, but how your organization will deliver on its mission in the long term. And if advocacy is any part of that strategy (or should be), it must be part of the conversation. It connects your mission to systems change.  Programs transform lives one by one. Advocacy transforms lives at scale. Your board sets the vision.  When board members understand the organization’s advocacy role, they can guide, resource, and champion it. It builds resilience.  A clear advocacy strategy helps you pivot when political winds shift without losing sight of your north star. What an Advocacy Strategy Session Looks Like Incorporating advocacy into your retreat isn’t about overwhelming your board with policy minutiae. It’s about giving them space to: Identify where advocacy fits  in the organization’s long-term goals Determine what advocacy success looks like  for your mission and community Uncover your advocacy superpowers —subject-matter expertise, localized data, lived-experience stories, and mobilized supporters—and decide how to leverage them Name your advocacy challenges  and explore practical ways to approach them Clarify the board’s role  in supporting, resourcing, and funding advocacy The result? A shared framework that weaves advocacy into your DNA—so every decision, campaign, and investment builds toward systemic change -- and solving your community's toughest challenges. The Bottom Line Your retreat is the rare chance to step back and look at the big picture. If advocacy is part of your DNA—or needs to be—it should be built into that visioning process. A well-designed advocacy strategy session gives your board clarity, confidence, and commitment to move the mission forward. And yes, it’s cost-effective. A few hours now can pay off in years of impact. Here’s How Snyder Strategies Can Help You Designing and facilitating an advocacy strategy session doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Snyder Strategies, we bring: Experience at every level.  From U.S. Senate staffer to grassroots trainer, I know what it takes to move policy in red, purple, and blue states. Customized facilitation.  No cookie-cutter slide decks here. I design interactive exercises that meet your board where they are—whether they’re seasoned advocates or new to the concept. Actionable takeaways.  You’ll leave with clarity on your advocacy role, priorities, and principles—and a strategy framework that guides staff and board long after the retreat ends. Cost-effective support.  I make it easy to incorporate advocacy into your planning without blowing your retreat budget. If advocacy is—or should be—a core part of your mission, your board retreat is the perfect place to set that strategy. Snyder Strategies can help you get there. Ready to put advocacy on your retreat agenda? Let’s connect. Want more smart, actionable advocacy insights like this? Join my email list for smart, sustainable advocacy strategies to help your nonprofit grow power, get results, and stay in the fight for the long haul.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

New data confirms something I’ve believed for years: nonprofits are among the most trusted institutions in the country. In fact, according to Independent Sector’s newly released Trust in Nonprofits and Philanthropy  study, 57% of Americans say they have high trust in nonprofit organizations “to do what is right.” That figure is unchanged from last year and places nonprofits ahead of every other sector—including small businesses, the military, private foundations, the media, and all levels of government. Nonprofits Are the Most Trusted Sector—And That Matters In a time when trust in institutions is eroding and polarization is making it harder to have meaningful conversations, this is no small thing. It’s a remarkable testament to the credibility, consistency, and community focus that nonprofits bring to their work. And yet, far too many organizations treat this trust like a passive compliment—something nice to have, rather than the strategic asset it truly is. Trust Is Not a Bonus—It’s Your Advocacy Foundation Let’s be clear: trust is not just a warm fuzzy feeling or a PR talking point. It’s what gives you permission to lead. It’s the foundation that makes advocacy effective. When your stakeholders—whether they’re donors, volunteers, clients, or community partners—trust you, they are more likely to listen to your perspective, support your positions, and take action alongside you. That’s the heart of advocacy. And nonprofits are uniquely positioned to do it well, precisely because they’ve already done the hard work of earning that trust. Silence Doesn’t Preserve Trust—It Undermines It But here’s where things often break down. Even though the data tells us that people trust nonprofits more than any other sector, many organizations are hesitant to speak up. They worry that engaging in advocacy will be seen as too political or too risky. They worry about alienating donors or getting pushback from board members. They worry about saying the wrong thing. The reality is that silence doesn’t preserve trust—it erodes it. In moments of crisis, conflict, or policy change, people are looking for guidance. They’re looking for trusted messengers who can help them understand what’s happening and what they can do. If your organization isn’t part of that conversation, your stakeholders will find someone else to listen to—and that someone may not share your mission or your values. Advocacy Isn’t About Perfection—It’s About Showing Up Advocacy doesn’t require perfection. You don’t need a full-time policy team or a polished communications plan to get started. What you do need is a willingness to speak from your mission, to name the issues that matter, and to connect your day-to-day work to the larger systems shaping your community. That’s what builds trust over time: not just showing up with services, but showing up with insight, with honesty, and with a commitment to action. Too often, we think of advocacy as something separate from service. But they’re deeply intertwined. Whether you’re working to improve maternal health, expand access to housing, protect LGBTQ+ families, or strengthen the nonprofit workforce—your ability to drive change depends on your ability to influence policy. And your ability to influence policy depends on whether people trust you to speak for your community. Trust Is a Responsibility—Use It So let me say it plainly: if your organization has built trust with the people it serves, you have a responsibility to use that trust. You’ve been given the credibility and the platform—now use it to raise awareness, mobilize support, and advocate for solutions. This isn’t just an opportunity. It’s a call to action. Now is the time to lead. Want more smart, actionable advocacy insights like this? Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No fluff—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

The Sector Is Under Pressure—and So Are Our Clients If you’re a nonprofit consultant—whether you focus on fundraising, governance, grant writing, finance, or strategic planning—you’re likely feeling the shift. The ground beneath our sector is shaking. Policy decisions and budget cuts are undermining the very infrastructure our clients depend on, and increasingly, nonprofits themselves are being dragged into political crossfire. It’s not just your clients who are impacted. It’s all of us. But here’s the good news: we’re not powerless. In fact, as consultants, we are uniquely positioned to fight back—not just by helping our clients adapt, but by pushing for systemic change ourselves. We See the Patterns Others Don’t Because of the work we do, we have a bird’s-eye view of the sector. We see patterns that individual organizations may miss. We notice when an entire stream of funding quietly disappears, or when boards in different cities start facing the same political pressure. We hear the anxiety in executive directors’ voices when they talk about staff burnout, donor hesitancy, and navigating increasingly hostile environments. We’re in a position to connect dots—and connect people. That makes us not just service providers, but stewards of the sector. Neutrality Isn’t an Option When the Sector Is Under Attack Many of us have been trained—or told—to be “neutral.” We’re supposed to stay out of politics and focus on deliverables. But silence in the face of sector-wide harm isn’t neutral. When nonprofits are under attack, when funding for essential services is slashed, when marginalized communities are being legislated out of public life, speaking up is not a political act—it’s a professional responsibility. You don’t have to be a lobbyist to make a difference. You can share what you’re seeing (while respecting confidentiality), amplify the voices of impacted clients, and use your platform to call attention to harmful trends. You can sign on to letters or join coalitions pushing for change. You can offer a discounted hour of strategy support to a scrappy, overburdened advocacy group. You can host a virtual roundtable to help clients share what’s working in a shifting landscape. Consultants Are a Critical Source of Connection and Calm Perhaps most importantly, you can remind your clients they’re not alone. When a nonprofit loses a key funder because of political pressure, or suddenly has to rethink its programming due to new legislation, they don’t just need a tactical response—they need community. They need expert guidance, and they need to be connected to others facing similar challenges. As consultants, we can help them find that support. We can say, “There’s a policy expert you should talk to,” or “Let me introduce you to someone who’s been navigating this, too.” We can be that calm, connected presence in the middle of the storm. The sector needs that. Right now, it needs us. We Are More Than Advisors—We’re Advocates, Too This is a moment for nonprofit consultants to reclaim our role not just as behind-the-scenes advisors, but as advocates for the entire nonprofit ecosystem. The decisions being made in legislative chambers and budget offices directly impact our work. It’s time we acted like it. We have influence. We have insights. And we have relationships. Let’s use them—not just to keep nonprofits afloat, but to demand better conditions for the sector as a whole. How Snyder Strategies Can Help At Snyder Strategies, we’re here to help you step into that role. Whether you’re looking for tools to help your clients navigate hostile policy environments, want to get more engaged in nonprofit advocacy yourself, or need a partner to help frame these challenges for funders and boards, we can help. Our work sits at the intersection of strategy, policy, and communication—because we believe that every consultant in this space deserves to feel confident and connected when the stakes are high. Let’s build a stronger sector together. Not just project by project—but powerfully, collectively, and unapologetically. Want more smart, actionable advocacy insights like this?  Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No fluff—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

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: Subject-Matter Expertise You know your issue better than anyone. Policymakers rely on nonprofits to tell them what’s really happening  in their communities. 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. 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. 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.   Want more smart, actionable advocacy insights like this?  Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No fluff—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

In nonprofit advocacy, no organization is an island. The most successful advocacy efforts come from coalitions—true partnerships where organizations unite, not just in mission, but in action. Coalitions amplify voices, pool resources, and create lasting impact. But too often, I encounter coalitions in name only (CINOs), where coordination is lacking, communication falters, and the potential for real change is lost. So, what separates effective coalitions from CINOs? Here’s how advocacy organizations can build coalitions that matter: 1. Clear Goals and Objectives Imagine navigating a ship without a map—chaotic, right? The same applies to coalitions without clear goals. From day one, members must establish shared objectives. Are you aiming to pass specific legislation, raise public awareness, or influence policy? Clear goals keep everyone focused, minimizing distractions and maximizing impact. Example: A coalition sets a clear goal to protect gender-affirming care for all people in the state. This shared objective drives the coalition’s legislative efforts and public messaging. 2. Effective Internal Communication Communication isn’t just sending emails—it's about staying connected. Recently, I noticed an organization absent from the Capitol. When I asked another coalition member if they had checked in, the answer was no. In a real coalition, you don’t let partners go silent for weeks without reaching out. Regular meetings, quick check-ins, and open channels are essential. Without them, even the strongest coalitions crumble. Example: The coalition creates a group chat and holds bi-weekly Zoom meetings to share updates, discuss challenges, and strategize, ensuring every organization remains in the loop. 3. Defined Roles and Responsibilities Coalitions thrive when every member knows their role. One organization might lead legislative efforts, another could handle media relations, and another might take charge of digital campaigns. Defined roles prevent overlap and ensure that each organization plays to its strengths, making the coalition more effective. Example: Legislative targets are divided based on each organization's influence and capacity, ensuring that the most connected advocates handle key lawmakers while protecting everyone's energy and avoiding burnout. 4. Building Trust and Mutual Respect Trust isn’t built overnight. It’s cultivated through transparency, respect, and consistent collaboration. Trust allows coalition members to lean on each other during setbacks and celebrate together in victories. Without trust, even the best-laid plans falter. Example: Coalition members commit to transparency by sharing their strategies, challenges, and successes openly, fostering trust through honest communication. 5. Resource Sharing and Coordinated Strategy A coalition isn’t just a support group—it’s a well-oiled machine. Meeting regularly, dividing legislative targets, coordinating advocacy events, and aligning messaging are non-negotiables. Maybe one organization has a strong grassroots network and takes the lead with lawmakers, while another leverages its stellar communications team to craft compelling messages. Another might excel at digital strategy, driving online campaigns. Each partner contributes, ensuring the coalition functions seamlessly. Example: An organization with a robust volunteer network leads grassroots advocacy, while another with media connections manages press releases and op-eds, and a tech-savvy partner runs social media campaigns. This also means coordinating on a unified communications strategy—calling the bill the same name, sharing talking points, and ensuring consistency across messaging. A strong coalition speaks with one voice, making it clear to advocates, lawmakers, and the public that members are aligned. When coalitions use the same language, it reinforces their credibility, helps supporters recognize partners, and strengthens the overall impact of the advocacy effort. Example: If one organization calls a bill "HB4545: The Safe Schools Act" while another refers to it as "Making our Schools Safer Act," the message gets muddled. Instead, the coalition agrees to use "The Safe Schools Act" in all public materials, ensuring that advocates, media, and lawmakers easily recognize and rally around the issue. 6. Addressing Potential Challenges Up Front Before diving into coalition work, it's essential to discuss potential challenges. Are there differences in tactics—perhaps one organization is more bold while another is more cautious? How will you handle list sharing—will you share contacts or maintain separate lists? What about messaging—how will differences be resolved to present a unified front? Addressing these questions early helps prevent conflicts down the road and ensures the coalition operates smoothly. Example: A coalition agrees to collect new advocates' contact info during events and through actions and share them with all member organizations, ensuring equitable access to supporters and fostering collaboration. Botton line: Effective coalitions don’t just exist—they thrive through strategic action, mutual support, and relentless dedication. By fostering clear goals, open communication, defined roles, trust, and strategic collaboration, nonprofit advocacy organizations can transform their coalitions into unstoppable forces for change. Connect with Snyder Strategies Building an effective coalition takes more than good intentions—it requires strategy, coordination, and deep expertise in nonprofit advocacy. That’s where I come in. With decades of experience leading advocacy efforts, organizing coalitions, and navigating the complexities of policy change, I help organizations turn partnerships into power. Perhaps you need an Advocacy Roadmap to align your coalition’s efforts. A skilled facilitator to ensure productive collaboration? Someone to herd the cats and keep momentum strong? I provide tailored support to help advocacy coalitions: Develop clear, actionable strategies to achieve policy wins Strengthen internal communication and coordination Align messaging and mobilization efforts for maximum impact Overcome common coalition challenges before they derail progress Keep members engaged, informed, and working toward shared goals Whether you’re launching a new coalition or revitalizing an existing one, I can help you build the structure, strategy, and momentum needed to make real change. Let’s talk about how Snyder Strategies can support your advocacy work—reach out today. Want more smart, actionable advocacy insights like this?  Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No fluff—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

Not long ago, I wrote about how too many organizations stop at policy  and never move into advocacy  ( From White Papers to People Power ). It’s an incredibly common challenge, and one I see all the time when I’m helping groups build an advocacy roadmap . Here’s the heart of the issue: many organizations assume that if they have policy staff, they’ve got advocacy covered. But the truth? Policy expertise and advocacy expertise are not the same thing. Every once in a while, you meet a unicorn who can do both seamlessly—but most of the time, policy staff excel at policy and need partners to carry advocacy and engagement strategies forward. So how do you bridge the gap? Here are a few of the most common challenges I see—and ways to overcome them. 1. Getting Stuck in the Policy Weeds Policy staff are trained to focus on details, nuances, and technicalities. That’s critical when talking with lawmakers and legislative staff. But it can be a huge barrier when trying to engage everyday advocates. The solution? Translate policy into plain language. If your grandma can’t read your action alert and understand what you’re asking, you’ve got work to do. Your advocates don’t need every subsection of a bill—they need a clear, compelling reason to act. 2. Jargon Is Not Inspiration Policy experts love their acronyms and insider shorthand. But acronyms don’t mobilize people —stories and values do. When communications are written like legal memos, they fall flat. Instead, frame policies in human term s. What problem does this solve? Who benefits? What’s at stake for real people? That’s what motivates advocates to pick up the phone or show up at a rally. A good test? If your grandma can read your advocacy communications and know exactly what you’re asking her to do, you’re on the right track. 3. Advocacy in a Silo I’ve seen too many organizations treat advocacy like it belongs in its own box—separate from programs, finance, fundraising, or communications. But if your CFO or program director can’t describe your legislative priorities, why would you expect your members or supporters to? Start by cleaning your own house . In my work, I talk about circles of engagement —the first circle is always your staff and board. If your internal team isn’t aligned and excited about your policy priorities, you’re not ready to engage the outside world. 4. One Audience ≠ All Audiences Policy staff are laser-focused on lawmakers. That’s their job. But the way you communicate with policymakers should be totally different from how you communicate with your advocates. Your supporters need motivation, relevance, and clarity—they need to understand why they  matter in moving an issue forward. Lawmakers, on the other hand, want evidence, data, and concrete asks. Same campaign, different languages. 5. Framing for Action How you frame your message matters. For lawmakers, frame it in terms of policy impact, feasibility, data, and political will- paired with a great story and real-world impact. For advocates, frame it in terms of urgency, values, and community impact. Donors and volunteers want to know how they’re making a difference, not how a statute is worded . Bridging the Gap Ultimately, bridging the gap between policy and advocacy means building the right systems, messages, and structures. It often requires someone with advocacy expertise to partner with policy staff—to translate, mobilize, and make sure the organization’s voice resonates both inside the Capitol and in the community. That’s exactly what I do at Snyder Strategies . I help organizations turn their policy expertise into people power—so they’re not just drafting white papers, but building real influence and impact. If your organization has strong policy staff but struggles to connect the dots to advocacy, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck. Let’s talk about how to bridge that gap. Want more smart, actionable advocacy insights like this?  Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No fluff—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

Let’s get this out of the way: access is not influence. Access is a meeting on the calendar, a legislator’s cell number, a selfie on social media. Influence is what happens after  the meeting—votes shift, amendments get inserted, hearings get scheduled, bills get buried, budgets get rebalanced. Access gets you in the room. Influence changes what happens in the room. Too many nonprofit leaders think, “We got the meeting, we’re winning.”   Too many lobbyists think, “My value is that I got you the meeting.”   Both are wrong. Both are selling themselves short. Getting in the door is the easy part. What matters is what happens because you were there. And here’s the kicker: lawmakers don’t waste time targeting nonprofits because they’re weak. They go after nonprofits because they know how powerful they could be—if they actually organized.  Cute underdog narratives aside, nonprofits are sitting on untapped power. And lobbyists who only trade in access aren’t doing their clients—or democracy—any favors. What great lobbyists (with nonprofit clients) do differently Great lobbyists aren’t gatekeepers—they’re bridge-builders  and force multipliers , and they: Engineer inside/outside sync.  Pair Capitol meetings with tightly timed action alerts so lawmakers feel constituent heat before, during, and after the meeting. Spread relationships.  Don’t hoard contacts—cultivate direct  ties between legislators/staff and the nonprofit’s members, so power outlives any single contract. Prioritize with discipline.  Help clients focus on two or three winnable priorities and park the rest in a clear “watch list” with transparent criteria. Insist on training.  Untrained advocates don’t act. They ensure their clients build the muscle—briefings, scripts, role-plays, debriefs—until outreach is second nature. Measure what matters.  Not just meetings held, but letters per district, offices touched, champions recruited, story placements earned, and movement in vote counts. 👉 This is where Snyder Strategies comes in.  This is the exact work I do with nonprofits and membership organizations—helping them sharpen their advocacy priorities, activate their members, train their storytellers, and connect all of that to the inside game their lobbyist is running. When lobbyists and nonprofits align this way, it’s not just access—it’s real influence. They leverage the 4 Nonprofit Advocacy Superpowers Nonprofits—especially membership orgs—already hold four big levers. Your job is to leverage these for real-world outcomes. The four superpowers are: Subject-Matter Expertise Localized Data Stories from People with Lived Expertise Access to People Who Care (Mobilizable Networks) To dig deeper into how each of these superpowers works—and how you can use them to drive influence—check out my blog: The 4 Nonprofit Advocacy Superpowers . A simple operating system for lobbyist–nonprofit partnerships Co-prioritize:  Select 2–3 tier-one issues with a clear rubric. Cadence:  Weekly 30-minute war room (targets, intel, next beats). Pair inside with outside:  Meeting → alert; markup → LTE op; amendment → targeted calls; floor vote → patch-throughs. Train & rehearse:  Quarterly trainings, role-play meetings, debriefs after every lawmaker touch. Scoreboard:  Track actions, meetings, press hits, commitments, conversions—by target, if possible.  For more on how nonprofits can partner with lobbyists without giving away their voice or values, check out my post: How to Work with a Lobbyist Without Losing Your Advocacy Soul . Five questions every lobbyist should ask their nonprofit client “What are your top two or three priorities this session—and how did you use to choose them?” “Who are our 10 best storytellers with lived experience, and have they been trained?” “What community-level data can we credibly present, and who owns keeping it current?”   “How big is your mobilizable list by district, and what’s our rapid-response threshold?”   “What’s our inside/outside calendar for the next four weeks?”  Every lobby meeting should have a matching member action. And want to make sure you are hiring a lobbyist who gets grassroots? Check out this resource: 10 Questions to Ask your Lobbyist. The Bottom Line Nonprofits should be at the table, not on the menu —and the fastest way to make that real is a lobbyist who treats member power as the main course, not a garnish. Bring your access. Plug it into their superpowers. That’s how you turn presence into pressure—and pressure into policy. And if you want to make sure your nonprofit clients have all the tools, systems, and strategies to back you up and deliver real influence? That’s my specialty.  At Snyder Strategies, I work with membership organizations and nonprofits to unlock their superpowers, engage their networks, and transform passive members into powerful advocates. Let’s make sure your clients don’t just get into the room—let’s make sure they move the room. Want more smart, sassy, actionable advocacy insights like this? Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No fluff—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

I’ve never worked with a nonprofit and said, “You do enough advocacy training.”  Not once. Every time, there’s room to grow — and in today’s environment, that gap is more than a missed opportunity. It’s a risk. With attacks on nonprofits ramping up — from funding cuts to policy rollbacks to threats against your very right to advocate — you can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. And you definitely  can’t afford to send unprepared advocates into the fray. Why Advocacy Training Is Non-Negotiable 1. The stakes are higher than ever. Nonprofits are on the front lines of some of the most pressing issues in our communities — and those issues are under fire. Whether it’s voting rights, environmental protections, LGBTQ+ equality, or community funding, policy decisions are moving fast. You can’t wait until a bill is on the floor to mobilize. 2. Passion isn’t enough. Your donors, volunteers, and supporters may be committed — but without training, they may not know how to channel that passion into effective action. Advocacy training builds the confidence and skills to deliver the right message, to the right person, at the right time. When I was a U.S. Senate staffer, I saw this firsthand. Every day, advocates would come in to meet with our office — many with powerful stories and important causes — but they weren’t always effective. They’d miss key talking points, focus on the wrong decision-maker, or fail to connect their issue to our priorities. With the right preparation and training, those same advocates could have walked out with a stronger commitment from us. 3. Trained advocates amplify your power. One confident advocate can spark ten more. When people know exactly  how to engage, they show up more often, speak more persuasively, and become long-term partners in your mission. Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Train Think of fall as advocacy’s preseason. Legislative sessions will kick off in just a few months. Decisions that affect your mission are already being shaped behind the scenes. This is your window to prepare your team so they’re ready to act — not scrambling to catch up. The Bottom Line If you believe your mission matters, you need people who can defend it. And that takes training. The more skilled your advocates, the harder you are to ignore — in city hall, in the statehouse, and in Congress. Now is the time to invest in your people. To give them the tools to win. To make sure your nonprofit’s voice isn’t just heard — but heard loud and clear. Learn more about my advocacy training options here. Want more smart, sassy, actionable advocacy insights like this? Your mission is too important for mediocre advocacy. Get on my email list for proven strategies, practical tools, and unapologetically sassy insights that help your nonprofit win . No fluff. No filler. Just results.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

Most state legislative sessions begin in January—which means when the calendar flips, it’s go time . Bills move fast, politics get heated, and opportunities can vanish in a matter of hours. The fall months are your golden window to prepare, plan, and position your organization for impact. The better your prep now, the more effective and nimble you’ll be when lawmakers come back to town. Here’s what you should be doing right now  to be ready when the gavel drops. 1. Align Your Communications and Advocacy Your messaging and advocacy strategy should not be siloed. They must move in lockstep. Create a shared plan  for your team, board, and core volunteers: what your priorities are, how you’ll define success, and what issues you’ll track even if they’re not top priorities. Set your narrative now —before opponents set theirs. Outline your talking points, social media themes, and stories that illustrate why your policy priorities matter. Decide your communication cadence:  Will you hold weekly check-ins? Run a session-specific newsletter? Use a Slack or Teams channel for rapid intel sharing? Anticipate the political climate:  Is the legislature hostile, friendly, or split? Will this be a defensive year or an opportunity to push something forward? When everyone knows the game plan and the language to use, you’re not scrambling mid-session to get on the same page. 2. Get on the Same Page with Your Lobbyist If you have a lobbyist, they are your eyes, ears, and voice inside the building—but only if you’re aligned. Set expectations early : Which bills are non-negotiables? Which are nice-to-haves? Which fights will you avoid? Go beyond bill tracking : Ask how your lobbyist can help expand your reach—introducing you to new lawmakers, connecting you with committee staff, or positioning you as a trusted resource. Establish your rapid-response protocol : If something unexpected pops up, how will decisions be made and communicated? The best legislative relationships are built in the off-season. Use the fall to make sure your lobbyist isn’t just ready to react—they’re positioned to help you grow your power. Here is a resource to help you work effectively and successfully with your lobbyist. 3. Analyze Your Grassroots Power Legislative wins often come down to one question: Can you mobilize people who matter to lawmakers? Map your advocates by district : Where are you strong? Where are you silent? Identify your gaps : Which lawmakers don’t hear from your side at all? Which communities or coalitions aren’t yet connected to you? Assess your readiness : Do you have a list you can activate quickly? Do you know who can testify, write an op-ed, or call their legislator on short notice? Power mapping now lets you shore up weaknesses before session—when you won’t have time to play catch-up. 4. Prepare Your Advocates Even the most passionate supporters need tools, training, and confidence to be effective. Policy briefings : Make sure advocates understand the legislation, the stakes, and the opposition’s arguments. Skill-building : Host workshops on storytelling, meeting with lawmakers, testifying at hearings, and using social media effectively. Scenario planning : Walk through “what if” situations so your team is ready for amendments, surprise votes, or misinformation campaigns. Onboard new voices : Don’t rely solely on your existing core advocates—recruit and train fresh energy now. The organizations that win are often the ones whose advocates are not only informed, but confident and quick to act. 5. Strengthen and Expand Alliances No one wins big policy fights alone. The strength—and breadth—of your coalition can make or break your session. Check in with current partners : Are they still aligned? Do they have capacity for joint work? Fill in missing perspectives : Are there labor, business, faith, or community groups who could broaden your credibility and reach? Build bridges now : Pre-session is the time to repair strained relationships or approach new allies, when the pressure is low and conversations can be more exploratory. Clarify roles : Who will lead on messaging? Who can mobilize grassroots in key districts? Who will handle press outreach? Strong coalitions aren’t just built—they’re maintained. Make sure yours is tight before the fight begins. Bottom line:  Fall is for preparation. January is for execution. The organizations that treat autumn as their true  campaign season—lining up messages, relationships, advocates, and power—enter the session ready to move with speed, unity, and purpose. And if you’re reading this thinking, We need help pulling this all together,  this is also the perfect time to bring in an advocacy strategist  to help you plan your session game plan, map your power, train your advocates, and align your communications. If you want to go into January fully prepared, let’s talk. Want more smart, sassy, actionable advocacy insights like this? Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No fluff—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.

I hear this all the time from nonprofit leaders: “Bethany, we want  to build our advocacy muscle. We need  to show up at the Capitol, tell our story, and push back on policies that hurt our people. We’d love to hire you to help us get there… but we just don’t have the money.” Here’s the thing: I believe you. Budgets are tight. Your team is stretched. You’re juggling service delivery, fundraising, compliance, and just trying to make it through the week. But I also know this: if your community is hurting because of broken policies, you can’t afford not  to do advocacy.  And with a little creativity and clarity, you can  fund it. Let’s talk about how. 1. Tell Your Donors What You’re Doing—Seriously. Just Say It. This is the  most flexible, powerful, and underused strategy: share your advocacy intentions with your donors. You don’t need a new grant. You don’t need a big campaign. You just need to say: “We’re stepping into advocacy because direct services aren’t enough. We’re tired of putting Band-Aids on systemic issues. We want to fight for policy change—and we need your support to do it.” Donors want to invest in impact. And advocacy? That’s systems-level impact . Many will be thrilled  to support you—especially your longtime champions who’ve seen the challenges pile up and are ready for you to do something about them. And remember: individual donor dollars are usually the most flexible.  They’re perfect for getting your advocacy strategy off the ground—whether it’s hiring a consultant (hi 🙋‍♀️ me!) or launching a campaign. 2. Tap into Capacity-Building Grants (Yes, Even for Advocacy) Most nonprofits don’t realize this, but advocacy planning is a legitimate capacity-building activity. You’re building the internal skills, strategy, and infrastructure to engage in policy work—and that absolutely counts. Local community foundations, United Ways, and funder collaboratives often offer: Leadership development grants Strategic planning grants Infrastructure or capacity-building grants Technical assistance funds All of those can be used to fund advocacy strategy work, staff training, coalition-building, or hiring a consultant (hi 🙋‍♀️ me again!) to help you chart a path forward. Don’t see an obvious fit? Call your program officer and ask. You might be surprised at how open funders are— especially  when advocacy is tied to your mission and community impact. 3. Make Advocacy Part of Your Core Operations (Because It Is ) Stop treating advocacy like an “extra.” It’s not a luxury—it’s a core strategy for mission success. If you're providing housing, health care, food, education—whatever it is—you are already impacted by policy decisions. Advocacy is how you fight back and shape those systems. So budget for it like you would for: Communications Fundraising Program development Evaluation Include it in your general operating requests. Fold it into your board development plan. Build the case in your grant proposals that advocacy is how you protect your mission long-term. 4. Start Small with Targeted, Short-Term Funding You don’t need $100K to get started. You need a plan . And a partner who knows how to build one with you. There are short-term or small-dollar grants out there for exactly this: Rapid response or civic engagement funds Mini-grants from statewide associations or national groups Policy capacity grants tied to your issue area Even $3K–$5K can fund a workshop series, a board strategy session, or an advocacy audit. I offer several entry-level engagements to help organizations get clarity and momentum without blowing their budget. 5. Don’t Sleep on Crowdfunding or Micro-Campaigns You know what moves people? Passion. If your supporters are fired up about what’s happening in the world—channel it. Set up a campaign like: “We’re ready to fight for change. Help us launch our advocacy campaign.” This is a great tool when: You’ve built trust with your base Your community is already activated around a policy issue You want to show funders you have community buy-in Be specific. Be bold. And don’t be afraid to ask. Advocacy gives people hope —and that’s a powerful fundraising motivator. Bonus Tip: Use the “We’re Planning Something Big” Angle Foundations love a plan. They want to fund intentionality and sustainability—not just one-off reactions. So instead of saying “We need to start doing advocacy,” try: “We’re developing an advocacy strategy that aligns with our mission and community needs. This will help us be more effective and sustainable. We’re looking for support to get that plan in place.” This tells funders: you’re thinking long-term, not just chasing headlines. That’s attractive. And that’s how you unlock bigger investments. Let’s Normalize Funding Advocacy If you're serious about systems change, advocacy isn’t optional—it’s essential. And you shouldn’t have to duct-tape it together with leftover program dollars. So yes—you can  hire me. And yes—you can  fund your advocacy work. Start by naming the intention. Talk to your donors. Look for capacity funding. Reframe advocacy as core to your mission. And ask for what you need. Need help pitching it to your funders or board? I’ve helped lots of groups write that first email or grant request. Let’s do it together. Contact me here. Want more smart, sassy, actionable advocacy insights like this? Join my email list for strategies that help your nonprofit build power, influence policy, and actually get things done. No fluff—just tools, tips, and a little tough love.  👉 Sign up here  to stay in the loop.