Advocacy Resources

Stand for Your Mission: Engage Your Board in Advocacy

The Stand for Your Mission campaign envisions a reality where nonprofit and philanthropic missions are fully realized because board members are standing for the mission of their organizations and helping set priorities in partnership with government – rather than waiting for the outcome. Use the Campaign tools to better engage your board and increase your organization and our sector’s impact!

More Than Charity: The Economic Importance of KY’s Nonprofit Sector (Report)

Every other year, KNN releases a new More Than Charity report to increase understanding of the economic importance of Kentucky’s nonprofit sector, as well as it current challenges. The 2024 report highlights that over 162,000 jobs in Kentucky are at nonprofit employers, making the nonprofit sector the fourth largest private sector employer in the Commonwealth. This statewide report and/or your Local Workforce Area report are fantastic resources to share on visits with elected officials. Most are shocked to learn of the economic importance of Kentucky’s nonprofit sector. Print and share with elected officials, sponsors, donors, board, staff, volunteers – help spread the word that nonprofits are More Than Charity!

Lobbying Registration and Reporting

Lobbying is only one form of advocacy and the key distinction between the two is that lobbying means attempting to influence specific legislation. Not all advocacy is lobbying, but all lobbying includes advocacy.

The bottom line is that, nonprofits can and should advocate for their missions and those they serve at all levels of government. And nonprofits can – and many should – also lobby. Federal government protects nonprofit advocacy and lobbying by 501(c)3 organizations through the 1976 Lobby Law and 1990 IRS regulations. For organizations that are lobbying, there are important things to know about registration and reporting:

Other Resources