We hear it all the time: “Isn’t advocacy too political?” Let’s be clear: advocacy is not partisanship. It is stewardship. It is how nonprofits protect their communities and causes. And in 2025, it’s not optional. It’s  essential.

Nonprofits across the country are under pressure. Funding is uncertain. Staff are stretched. Long-standing DEI commitments are being rolled back. Major policy decisions are being made without the voices of those doing the work on the ground.

As one incredible community leader often said in meetings we attended, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” Advocacy is how you make sure your mission is protected, your community is represented, and your values shape the future.

“I Thought We Weren’t Allowed to Do That…”

Here’s the good news: Yes, you can advocate. Nonprofits can educate, mobilize, and influence public decisions. You just need to know the rules. And most voters support it.

• 92%  of voters support nonprofits educating policymakers about community needs
• 68% are more likely to donate to nonprofits that help them speak up on issues that matter

Know Your Nonprofit Type: What You Can and Can’t Do

*The 501(h) election can help provide specific guidance and parameters for reporting.

Advocacy Is About Showing Up

You don’t  need to pass legislation to make a difference. Advocacy can look like:

• Adding an issue explainer to your newsletter
• Hosting a community conversation about a local ballot measure
• Publishing a staff blog or op-ed
• Training your team to give public comments

What About Donors?

Many nonprofits worry that advocacy might alienate supporters. But the opposite is often true. Donors tend to respond well to clear, values-driven leadership, especially when it reflects a commitment to long-term solutions. 

Recent research backs this up. A study published in the Journal of Values-Based Leadership found that leaders who act in alignment with their stated values are more likely to earn trust and deepen engagement from stakeholders, including donors. Similarly, Barron’s reports that many philanthropists are now embracing strategic policy work, recognizing that advocacy is one of the most effective ways to create systemic change.

These donors aren’t just funding programs—they’re investing in missions that reflect their values. Advocacy gives them more meaningful ways to engage. It builds trust, strengthens relationships, and invites donors to become true partners in your work, not just funders. For nonprofits, this means that advocacy isn’t a liability, it’s an opportunity to lead with purpose.

You don’t need to convince every donor. But if someone seems unsure, lead with education, not apology. Advocacy isn’t about taking sides, it’s about showing up for your community and staying accountable. Create space for conversation and invite donors to grow with you by:

• Hosting a Q&A or listening session
  
• Offering a short briefing or explainer
  
• Sharing stories of donors who came to see advocacy as essential

Three Simple Ways to Begin

If advocacy feels intimidating, start small. Try one of these:

• Mention a local policy issue in your next email newsletter
  
• Ask two board members what issues matter most to your community
  
• Attend a public meeting this quarter to listen and learn

You don’t need to be a policy expert to make a difference.

The Bottom Line

Advocacy is how nonprofits protect their ability to do their work, stay accountable to their communities, and lead with integrity, especially when the ground is shifting. It is about standing together, refusing to comply in advance with systems that silence us, and using our collective voice to shape what comes next.

Here are some additional resources to explore as you begin or deepen your advocacy journey:

• New Poll: Voters Want Congress to Strengthen Nonprofits
• A Nonprofit’s Quick-and-Dirty Guide to Meeting Elected Officials
• Alliance for Justice: Bolder Advocacy

If you are ready for a deeper dive and will be in Colorado Springs on May 20th, join Prismatic Consulting for our session on nonprofits and advocacy at the Colorado Nonprofit Association’s Connecting Colorado conference. We’d love to see you there!

If you can’t make it and want to connect about advocacy, reach out to us here.