Nonprofit Participation in the Public Policy Process

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In time of restricted state budgets and cuts in government services to those most in need, nonprofit participation in the public policy process has never been more essential. (cf. Shure 2009: 20) In this sense, NPOs provide public leaders with insights about com-munity interests. Consequently, NPOs hold government accountable to a broad public, present the diverse values reflected in society, and advance issues that are not otherwise addressed. Furthermore, they are vehicle through which many members of the society have a voice in the policy and political process. In fact, the continued existence of many programs and services highly depends on partnering with legislators to propose policies that embody these innovative solutions.

In other words, lobbying, advocacy and organizing can be adequate methods to influence policymakers. Thus, we may ask the question about the meaning of advocacy, lobbying and organizing. (1) Advocacy is the general support for an idea or issue. (2) Nonprofit lobbying involves asking an elected official to take a particular position on a specific legislativ...

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