So, we have a new federal administration. Now what?
On January 20, 2021, many of us sat glued to our television screens to witness the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden. Perhaps you, like me, allowed yourself a faint sigh of relief, a breath, when the threats of another siege on the Capitol building did not manifest. After President Biden and Vice President Harris were sworn in, perhaps you also joined me in asking, now what?
For those of us in the field of philanthropy, how might we use our platforms and partnerships to step on the gas? Knowing our local and state elections are of utmost importance in realizing the progress we hope for, we would do ourselves and our communities a great service by clarifying how civic engagement can remain a leading focus in our work.
Stacey Abrams deserves every bit of praise being offered for helping turn Georgia blue for the first time since 1992. However, as much as we want a simple narrative celebrating the tireless work of a single champion, it is unfair to shower Stacey alone with all of our accolades. By Stacey’s own telling, it took a decade of work, targeted voter education campaigns, and hundreds of hands and boots on the ground.
If advocacy, in particular, is a vague or unstated component of your nonprofit’s mission, this is no time to shy away from being political. Development professionals have the potential to further amplify voices and platforms of the grassroots leaders, activists, and champions among us. Their work is never-ending and, especially in this age of misinformation and distrust, uniquely challenging.
Though an imperfect union, this imperfect union belongs to us. In all of our fundraising, soliciting, and event planning, let’s remember that we, too, are agents of social change. Here are some additional ways we might engage:
- Have conversations with your executive leadership team, Board of Directors, and stakeholders (those you serve) to determine and document your advocacy strategy.
- Track any legislation that might merit lobbying for or against. While the exceedingly confusing tax code does permit nonprofit organizations to do some lobbying, the slope can be a slippery one, especially if you are new to this realm. If you are wary, do not undertake it alone.
- Develop and distribute a newsletter specifically for your local alderman, city council members, state representatives, etc. What do they need to know about your organization and mission? How can they help?
- Identify and connect with local grassroots organizations. Can your organization offer to host a meeting space? Better yet, can you attend as a show of support?
If you are already doing all of the above and more, consider reaching out to your peers and lending a hand in the name of civic education. Our fierce National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, said it best, “our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation.” Let us stay reminded that we can realize the ideals of democracy if we commit to finding the hope, healing, and lessons among the obstacles that lay ahead.