The number of U.S. nonprofits engaging in advocacy or lobbying has declined by more than half since 2000, an analysis from Independent Sector (IS) finds.

The report, The Retreat of Influence: Exploring the Decline of Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Engagement (84 pages, PDF), is based on surveys completed by 2,282 public charities designated as nonprofits under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) and found that only 31 percent of nonprofits engaged in advocacy or lobbying over the last five years, compared with 74 percent in 2000. Only 32 percent of nonprofits were aware that federal rules permitted them to support or oppose federal legislation—a decline from 54 percent in 2000. Among organizations that engage in advocacy, 70 percent reported that such activities are expressly encouraged by the organization’s mission. More than half of respondents (56 percent) indicated that advocacy is not applicable to their mission, and 18 percent reported that their organization’s mission discourages advocacy.

The report found that nonprofits belonging to local, state, or national coalitions are far more likely to advocate or lobby for legislation. Of organizations that are part of collaborative groups, 57 percent engaged in some form of advocacy or lobbying, compared with only 12 percent of nonprofits that do not belong to such coalitions. The report also found that while a majority of the nonprofits surveyed have a formal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement, only 36 percent engage in advocacy or lobbying to create more equitable systems.

The report includes recommendations to the sector such as raising awareness among nonprofits that advocacy-related activities are legal; encouraging the view that advocacy can be an effective tool for accomplishing a nonprofit’s mission; increasing the number of nonprofits engaged with collaborative groups; and leveraging advocacy related to DEI as a path for systems change.

“It’s no longer a question of whether nonprofits should engage in public policy advocacy, but rather how we can afford not to,” said Michigan Nonprofit Association social innovation officer Nellie Tsai. “As the saying goes, ‘If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu,’ and this especially applies to laws, regulations, and policies that affect nonprofits and the communities they serve.”

“Advocating for change through the public policy process defines what it means to be a nonprofit,” said IS president Akilah Watkins. “The changes we seek for those we serve rarely come without it. It is a core knowledge—and practice—that is essential for our missions and our survival.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Gremlin)