Advocacy for Nonprofits

By Traci Townsend-Gieg

Have you and your organization ever been in the position of identifying a policy or legislative issue that affects you – and wondered what, legally, you can do to advocate on behalf of your constituents and agency?

Wonder no more!

The Nonprofit Alliance for Monterey County website has a number of resources for you to determine what kind of advocacy is best for your organization and staff.

You'll find a great .pdf booklet entitled SHAPING THE FUTURE: A Compliance Guide for Nonprofits Influencing Public Policy in California from Bolder Advocacy, an initiative of the Alliance for Justice. The booklet includes in an easy-to-use reference format guidelines for shaping your agency’s advocacy policies and procedures.

You will also find on NAMC’s website a link to Bolder Advocacy’s toolkits, including one on California advocacy resources.

Your NAMC Advocacy Committee is determining the best way to inform NAMC members on topics for action or advocacy. Stay tuned for more information in 2016 on the power of nonprofit advocacy!

Nonprofit Tech Trends in Monterey County

By Tom Conway

In 2005 there was no Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.  This was the year that the Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County (NAMC) commissioned an economic impact study of nonprofits in Monterey County.  Now, 10 short years later, new technologies are used by 80% of county nonprofits to contact and serve constituents, to publicize activities, and to remain in regular contact. This, from the study released in 2014: For the Common Good – Report of the Impact of Our Nonprofits on Monterey County. 

The report also highlights that nearly two-thirds of the respondents report that they use social media for fundraising activities. Top media platforms include websites (92%), email (89%), Facebook (80%), print newsletters (45%), Telephone (27%) and Twitter (25%)

In the third Lunch-and-Learn in the series (following sessions on social and environmental impacts), NAMC invited a distinguished panel of local experts from Alvarez Technology Group (ATG) and Digital Nest to addressing the technological impacts.  Luis Alvarez, of ATG and Jacob Martinez of Digital Nest shared with the nearly 30 attendees their insights and expertise related to the impacts identified in the 2014 report.

Luis stressed the importance for nonprofits (any agency, really) to “have a technology strategy in place so that you can address your mission appropriately given the tools at your disposal.”  Some things that should be addressed in any technology strategy include the use of social media; security and mobility among others.  Jacob stressed the “need to develop a highly skilled workforce in our local communities.”  Jacob’s organization, Digital Nest offers youth and young adults professional training so that they are both ready for higher education and available to work at businesses in our community at affordable rates. 

The issue of social media was one of the biggest question-generators for the audience.  For nonprofits (and again, for anyone, really), the key is to make information accessible and timely.  In The Millenial Impact Report released by the Case Foundation, 60% of respondents liked it most when nonprofits shared stories of successful projects or the people they help.  Additionally, digital multimedia needs to be integrated into any marketing/fundraising strategy.

In closing, when asked to predict what technology trend we will be looking at 10 years from now, Luis responded with a statistic that predicts that “70% of jobs in 2025 don’t even exist today!”  Nonprofits can certainly expect that the way we do things in 2015 will change over the next 10 years.  The good news is that millennials, who are already emerging as leaders in technology and other industries and will comprise 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025, and they want to work for organizations that foster innovative thinking, develop their skills, and make a positive contribution to society.  We need to grow and build on that!

25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

By Tom Conway, CEO of Easter Seals of Central California and NAMC Core Leader

Did you know that, as recently as 25 years ago, it was legal to discriminate on the basis of disability? It’s true. But on July 26, 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act became a law, guaranteeing the civil rights of individuals with disabilities and other special needs in our country.

Easter Seals supporters, staff, volunteers, clients and their families along with other non-profits led advocacy efforts across the country to ensure passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These advocacy efforts ultimately made it easier for people with disabilities to navigate workplaces, neighborhoods, college campuses and community gatherings with the inclusion of sidewalk curb cuts, wheelchair lifts, designated parking, automatic doors etc. It made discrimination in employment illegal.

While there’s certainly much to celebrate on the ADA’s 25th anniversary this July, there’s still more to be accomplished in advocating for policies that empower people with disabilities. At Easter Seals Central California, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to reach for and realize their potential. That’s why we work tirelessly as champions for ability. Every day, in communities across the country, non-profits like us provide pathways to opportunity for each person we serve, regardless of the challenges they may face.

For nearly 100 years, Easter Seals affiliates everywhere have been pioneers in helping children, adults and veterans with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives. Today, we’re an innovator in early childhood development, adult independence, veteran transitions and caring for caregivers. We support more than 1.8 million people worldwide, helping them realize their goals, dreams and aspirations.  Visit www.easterseals.com/centralcal for more information about how you too can be an advocate for individuals with disabilities!

$3 Billion in new CA revenues – How to Spend it?

By Kaki Rusmore, NAMC Core Leader and Director of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence

According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, California may have as much as $3 billion in revenues above the Governor’s budget 2015- 2016 estimates. This provides an unprecedented opportunity to restore services cut in the Great Recession and support the communities our nonprofits serve. The CA Senate, Assembly and Governor have until June 15 to finalize the 2015-2016 budget, and many elements of health and human services funding are still being debated. The CA Budget and Policy Center just outlined 12 key health and human services issues that are under discussion. Read more and contact your legislator to advocate for the issues your nonprofit addresses.

Welcome to the Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County's New Blog!

NAMC is jumping into the blogging sphere head first!  As an added value to our members, we plan over the coming weeks and months, to post brief articles and musings about nonprofits issues locally, regionally, and beyond.


You'll see posts about nonprofit leadership, board governance, changes in tax laws, planned giving and annual fund strategies, social media management and marketing....all sorts of topics.


We hope you will engage and explore with us in this new venture!  If you have an article you would like to share or post in this space, please contact NAMC's resident blogger, Jennifer Pettley.


See you in the blogosphere!


Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County
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