Nonprofit Advocacy: Do’s and Don’ts From a Longtime Lansing Observer

Nonprofit Advocacy: Do’s and Don’ts From a Longtime Lansing Observer

Part of the Johnson Center’s free Brown Bag Lunch & Learn series

Legislators don’t bite… often. But if you are not used to the public policy process, writing to a legislator or speaking at a public hearing can be very intimidating. And it is true that nonprofits have special rules to mind when engaging with the political process. But — especially in 2020 — voices from nonprofit workers, supporters, volunteers, and the organizations themselves need to be present in your local community, in Lansing, and in Washington, D.C.

Join Jeff Williams, director of the Community Data and Research Lab at the Johnson Center, as he shares wisdom gained from his 30-year experience in government affairs. We’ll explore lobbying rules governing nonprofits, tips about communicating with a legislator, and the best times to influence budget discussions.

This online workshop will be a live, interactive experience. It will not be recorded or available to registrants after the end of the live session.

Speaker:

Jeff Williams, M.A., M.B.A., is the director of the Community Data and Research Lab (CDRL) at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University. In this role, he oversees a staff of researchers, database experts, and web developers who promote access to data and provide insights into nonprofit and philanthropic organizations and activities. He oversees the lab’s annual research agenda, supervises staff, and is a member of the Johnson Center’s leadership team.