Principles and Practices

for Nonprofit Excellence

Civic Engagement and Public Policy

Nonprofit organizations play a central role in the democratic process by providing a means for individuals to deliberate on public policies and decisions that affect them. To the extent possible, nonprofit organizations should engage constituents in public policy and advocacy activities as a means to fulfilling their missions and promoting community interests. Open communication and consultation between policy makers and constituents of nonprofit organizations contribute to well-informed policies and the effective implementation of them.

Promoting Participation

1) When possible, nonprofits should assist their constituencies in developing skills and learning about opportunities for public and civic engagement.

2) Nonprofits should promote nonpartisan efforts to encourage voting and other participation in federal, state and local policy making.

3) Organizations whose constituencies are affected by government actions have an obligation to provide public forums for discussion and information about the effects of all the various policy choices.

Advocacy and Public Policy

4) Nonprofit organizations should take appropriate public positions on relevant issues while working and communicating with other organizations to inform the public about these issues.

5) Nonprofits should maintain a sound understanding of the current public policy environment in their activity area and the resulting impacts on the communities they serve.

6) If engaged in public policy and advocacy activities, nonprofits should adopt a written policy that clarifies the scope of the work as well as the time and resources to be allocated to those activities.

Lobbying

7) Nonprofits that engage in lobbying activities subject to state and federal reporting requirements must file accurate and timely reports on their lobbying activities and comply with all laws governing politics and elections.

8) Federally funded nonprofits that engage in lobbying activities must organize their legislative work so that no federal funds are used for this purpose.

9) Nonprofits should join together around policy issues to strengthen their impact on public policy.

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Principles and Practices

Click on the links below to jump to the different sections of The Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence.

• Introduction
• The Principles
• Role in Society

• Governance

• Planning

• Transparency and Accountability

• Fundraising

• Financial Management

• Human Resources

• Civic Engagement and Public Policy

• Strategic Alliances
• Evaluation
• Advice for Users
• The Origins of the Principles and Practices

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Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence