The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations, Second Edition, is your complete road map to shaping public policy at the state and local level. It gives detailed, step-by-step instructions for developing an effective plan and putting it into action. With this handbook, you will
• Discover how lobbying can help fulfill your mission
• Learn how to initiate, support, or defeat bills
• Develop effective lobbying skills
• Learn how to initiate, support, or defeat bills
• Gather and mobilize support for your positions
• Learn how to use the media effectively
• Influence government administrators to back your policy positions
• Comply with state and federal regulations
• And set up systems in your nonprofit to support lobbying
In addition to updated worksheets, case studies, and resources, new material in the second edition includes nonprofit civic engagement and voter mobilization; designing the Policy Committee that works for your nonprofit; utilizing social media in your communications strategies; administrative advocacy: working with governmental agencies; and understanding the why, what, and how of collaboration.

“A must read for every nonprofit board and executive team seeking effective, practical and legal advice on how to achieve their organization’s mission by engaging with elected officials and policymakers at every level of government.” —Emmett Carson, Ph.D. CEO and President, Silicon Valley Community Foundation

“The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook is essential reading for every non-profit Executive Director and staff member. It explains the imperative and mechanics of advocacy and will be an invaluable tool for everyone who wants to ensure that all voices get heard in our democracy.” —Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director, Center for Community Change

“In this revised edition Marcia Avner . . . reveals in practical terms how safe and easy advocacy is and how advocacy can strengthen the nonprofit in other important ways.” —Tim Delaney, President and CEO, National Council of Nonprofits


“A must-have for any nonprofit professional who values the importance of advocacy efforts.” —Lindsey Hodel, Director, Colorado Participation Project

“An essential resource that should be on the desk of every nonprofit leader.” —Gary Bass, Executive Director, Bauman Foundation and former Executive Director of OMBWatch

“This handbook is an important part of the work that we do: teaching current and future nonprofit leaders the value and practice of nonprofit advocacy. It’s been used successfully here at Georgetown . . . Students and nonprofit leaders alike appreciate its practical and well organized guidance.” —Kathy Postel Kretman, Ph.D., Director, Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership, Georgetown University

“Nonprofit advocacy has never been more essential than it is today. Avner’s excellent handbook is a practical and realistic source of knowledge, guidance and support that makes it possible for any nonprofit, regardless of prior experience, to be effective in the important work of advocacy and lobbying.” —David O. Renz, Ph.D., Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, Henry W. Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri-Kansas City

“I have used Avner’s book as a textbook in my graduate school class because it gives such clear, practical advice on how to change public policy for the better with your staff and board. If you’re trying to figure out how to do it, these are the tools for you.” —Sheila Smith, Executive Director, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts

“Marcia Avner . . . and the book put us on the leading edge of nonprofit advocacy.” —Wy Spano, Founder and Co-Director, Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership Program, University of Minnesota-Duluth

“Practical and useful, this is a clear and up-to-date guide on all aspects of advocacy. It’s a must-have for nonprofit executives.” —Elizabeth Boris, Director, Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, Urban Institute