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The Retreat of Influence

Read the results of our nationally representative survey that illustrates the extent to which U.S.-based nonprofits advocate now compared to 20 years ago.
July 23, 2023
Download Report

All Resources

The Retreat of Influence

Read the results of our nationally representative survey that illustrates the extent to which U.S.-based nonprofits advocate now compared to 20 years ago.
July 23, 2023
Download Report

A New Understanding of Nonprofit Advocacy & Civic Engagement

Independent Sector’s research provides an updated measurement of the status of a major pillar of nonprofit sector health: advocacy and civic engagement. In The Retreat of Influence: Exploring the Decline of Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Engagement, we share the results of our nationally representative survey and provide insights on how advocacy and civic engagement vary by organization size, geography, communities served, and leadership demographics.

This quantitative research helps nonprofit leaders and policymakers understand the current state of advocacy and civic engagement in the nonprofit sector. It also establishes a new baseline that includes three new metrics of nonprofit activity: (1) nonpartisan civic engagement, (2) support of social movements, and (3) level of investment in equity work. 

Download the report and learn more about our research on nonprofit advocacy. 

Key Insights

A significantly lower proportion of nonprofits report advocating or lobbying compared to 20 years ago.

Only 31% of nonprofits report engaging in advocacy or lobbying over the last five years — less than half the percentage in 2000.

Mission plays the largest role in determining nonprofit advocacy and lobbying.

Approximately 70% of nonprofits that engage in policy say their mission encourages it. Among nonprofits that do not engage in policy, 56% say it is not applicable to their mission and 18% believe their mission discourages advocacy.

Significantly fewer nonprofits know what advocacy activities are legally allowed compared to 20 years ago.

In 2000, over half of 501(c)(3) public charities knew they could support or oppose federal legislation, compared to fewer than one-third today.

Only 13% of nonprofits conduct nonpartisan activities to help people vote,

despite being more effective than any other type of organization in getting people of all political persuasions to vote. Among nonprofits that advocate, 1 in 5 provide people with nonpartisan voter information.

Nonprofits that belong to collaborative groups advocate at higher rates than those that are not members.

Of nonprofits that belong to local, state, or national coalitions, 57% advocate or lobby, compared to only 12% of nonprofits that do not belong to coalitions.

Although the majority of nonprofits have a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement, only 36% of them engage in policy activities to create more equitable systems.

However, nonprofits that engage in policy invest more time and resources in DEI activities than nonprofits that do not engage in policy.

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