Congress averted a federal government shutdown this weekend, giving the nation another 47 days of federal funding. This does not mean that your nonprofit can get back to business as usual. Things are not usual in Congress unless we presume that “usual” and “insane” are synonymous. Nonprofit leaders need to take two steps right now: advocate about the potential impact of a shutdown and review contingency plans. This post will address advocacy, explaining how nonprofits need to give voice to shutd
Congress averted a federal government shutdown this weekend, giving the nation another 47 days of federal funding. This does not mean that your nonprofit can get back to business as usual. Things are not usual in Congress unless we presume that “usual” and “insane” are synonymous. Nonprofit leaders need to take two steps right now: advocate about the potential impact of a shutdown and review contingency plans. This post will address advocacy, explaining how nonprofits need to give voice to shutdown concern. It also provides specific action items your team can begin taking today to build better advocacy.
Before and during a government shutdown, nonprofit advocacy plays a pivotal role. It allows organizations to voice their concerns, influence policy, and ensure that essential services continue to be provided to the communities they serve. In this section, we’ll discuss the role of advocacy, how to build relationships with policymakers, and how to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
First, let’s get one thing crystal clear – 501(c)(3) organizations are allowed to advocate on public issues. Some nonprofits believe that they “can’t get involved” in politics. With narrow exceptions (such as lobbying for a specific piece of legislation or endorsing a specific candidate), nonprofits are permitted to advocate on issues of public importance.
Indeed, let’s take that a step further. Nonprofits have an obligation to their stakeholders to get involved and make people aware of the potential impacts of government decisions and indecisions. The homeless are not in a position to rally press support. Federal workers who need their incomes to make ends meet may have national union representation, but they are unlikely to seek press to dramatize their plight in their local communities.
Advocacy becomes particularly crucial before and during a government shutdown. Nonprofits often serve as a lifeline for community members in need, particularly when government services are paused or hindered due to a shutdown. Advocacy efforts allow you to voice the needs and concerns of your organization and the communities you serve, and to call for necessary actions and policies.
You can use the press to highlight the impact of the shutdown on your organization’s services and to push for measures that can help mitigate these impacts. Additionally, your advocacy efforts can serve to inform the public about the situation, garner support, and rally resources.
Action Item: Determine whether your nonprofit or the people you serve may be impacted by a shutdown. (Resources hereand here, which describe potential impacts, may help.) Document those impacts with personal stories that dramatize the issue. Use AI queries to help you make the project less burdensome. For example, you can use ChatGPT to make the following queries (substituting your area of focus for the italicized portion):
“Act as an investigative journalist with expertise in nonprofits. How (if at all) are nonprofits that serve victims of domestic violence impacted by a federal government shutdown?”
“Act as an investigative journalist with expertise in at-risk populations. How (if at all) are victims of domestic violenceimpacted by a federal government shutdown?”
Also, remember that you are not alone: other nonprofits are also thinking about a potential shutdown and its impacts. Consider forming a Federal Money Working Group with other nonprofits in your area to harmonize and amplify increase the impact of individual efforts.
Building strong relationships with policymakers is a key aspect of effective advocacy. Policymakers can be instrumental in influencing decisions that affect your organization during a government shutdown.
You can work on building these relationships on an ongoing basis, not just during times of crisis. Regular meetings, updates, and collaborations can foster a strong bond and mutual understanding. During a shutdown, these relationships can be leveraged to push for actions that benefit your organization and the communities you serve.
Action Item: Develop a comprehensive understanding of each member of your state delegation’s stance and record on shutdown voting. Evaluate how you can channel your advocacy to influence each legislator.
Go to ChatGPT and type in the following query: “Act as an investigative journalist. Describe how each member of the your state Congressional delegation has voted on federal government shutdowns.” Use that query to identify the players and begin evaluating your messaging.
Follow that up with queries like the following: “Using the voting record and public statements of legislator, predict the top five messages that would be persuasive to him when advocating against a federal government shutdown.”
Communication is a key component of your advocacy efforts during a government shutdown. You need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including your staff, volunteers, service users, donors, and the general public.
The aim of your communications should be to keep your stakeholders informed about the situation, how it affects your organization, and what steps you’re taking to mitigate the impact. This includes sharing updates about any changes in services, new fundraising initiatives, and how they can help.
Transparent and regular communication can help build trust and can motivate your stakeholders to support your organization during challenging times.
As you navigate through a government shutdown, remember that your advocacy efforts can significantly influence your organization’s ability to continue serving your community effectively. By advocating for your cause, building strong relationships with policymakers, and communicating effectively with stakeholders, you can help ensure your organization rises above the challenges posed by a government shutdown.
Action Item: Use a query like the following with ChatGPT (substituting your location) to identify potential impacts: “Act as an investigative journalist. How would Madison Wisconsin be impacted by a federal government shutdown?” Use subsequent queries to drill down on the answer.
Another way to mitigate the potential impact of a government shutdown is to engage your local community in fundraising efforts. This can involve hosting fundraising events, launching crowdfunding campaigns, or simply reaching out to your supporters with a call to action.
Before launching any fundraising campaign, you should clearly communicate the impact of the government shutdown on your organization and explain how their donations will be used. This transparency can encourage trust and increase the likelihood of donations.
Action Item: Begin sending out regular fundraising emails asking donors to help you create a “shutdown” or “rainy day” fund. Again, experiment with AI to craft messages that would meet your donors’ giving profiles.
*
We’re all a little like George Bailey here: because of the stopgap, we have been given 45 days of reprieve. What we do with it is up to us.
Never waste a crisis.