Advocacy

The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy is the leading voice to policy makers on behalf of Connecticut’s grantmakers. The Council works with its foundation and corporate giving members and its public policy committee to connect the ideas and insights of the Connecticut philanthropic community to policy makers.

Building and maintaining relationships with policymakers is essential to the philanthropic sector’s ability to:

educate policymakers about the work, value and impact of foundations;
advise policymakers about potential legislation or regulation that could harm the sector and decrease much needed philanthropic dollars;
gain policymakers’ support for legislation that could support the growth and effectiveness of philanthropy;
and build partnerships with policymakers to achieve policy reforms that improve the quality of life for those foundations seek to serve.

Advocacy Resources

Find General Resources, documents to help you with Advocacy Rules and Regulations, Best Practices, and Resource Links to help you with the full range of foundation advocacy activities.

Evaluating Advocacy

Find resources to help you evaluate different aspects of your advocacy, including capacity, progress and impact.

Advocacy Websites

Alliance for Justice
The leading expert on the legal framework for nonprofit advocacy efforts and provides definitive information, resources, and technical assistance that encourages organizations and their funding partners to fully exercise their right to be active participants in the democratic process.

Bolder Advocacy
This initiative of Alliance for Justice advances and protects the role of nonprofits in influencing public policy. Find resources on rules and regulations, best practices for supporting advocacy and evaluation tools.

Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI)
CLPI promotes, supports and protects 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy and lobbying in order to strengthen participation in our democratic society and advance charitable missions.

Independent Sector
Independent Sector advocates for public policies that strengthen the ability of individuals to support and take action through nonprofits and foundations to improve lives.

National Council of Nonprofits
The National Council of Nonprofits (Council of Nonprofits) is a trusted resource and advocate for America’s charitable nonprofits. Through a powerful network of State Associations and 25,000-plus members – the nation’s largest network of nonprofits – they serve as a central coordinator and mobilizer to help nonprofits achieve greater collective impact in local communities across the country.

Stand for Your Mission
Nonprofit leaders are coming together to challenge all nonprofit decision-makers to stand up for the organizations they serve by actively representing their mission and values.

Advocacy Tools

Find links for Elected Official Directories; Bill Trackers and Non-partisan News Sites.

Elected Officials

US House of Representatives Directory
Access US House of Representatives member lists, contacts and committee membership.

US Senate Directory
Access US Senate member lists, contacts and committee membership.

State of Connecticut General Assembly
Access State of Connecticut House of Representative and Senate sites for contacts information, committee memberships and staff offices. Also links to Session Information and Bill tracking.

Connecticut State Officials
Find contact information for state officials, including the Governor and Attorney General.

Municipal Chief Executive Officers
A list of the CEOs for each Connecticut municipality including mayors, first selectmen and town managers.

Local Elected Officials
Find local elected officials and their contacts by town.

Project Vote-Smart
A national library of factual information on candidates and elected officials in five basic categories: biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances and interest group ratings.

Legistorm
Factual and non-partisan information about the U.S. Congress, including congressional staff salaries, financial disclosures, privately financed trips taken by members of Congress and congressional staffers, and earmarks.

Bill Trackers

Thomas- Federal
In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas, a government sponsored resource, makes federal legislative information freely available to the public.

CBIA Government Affairs - State
Connecticut Business & Industry Association's (CBIA) Bill Tracker allows you to search for bills by number, category, or title or phrase. There is also a link to the Connecticut General Assembly Bill information for each entry.

News Sites

Stateline.org
A nonprofit, nonpartisan online news site that practices journalism in the public interest by reporting on emerging trends and issues in state policy and politics.

ctmirror.org
A nonprofit, nonpartisan news website with a very clear mission: Through deep reporting on government policies and politics, to become an invaluable resource for anyone who lives, works or cares about Connecticut, and to hold our policymakers accountable for their decisions and actions.