Advocacy Stories

CLPI Lobbying Success Stories
Examples of how nonprofit lobbying has changed organizations and changed lives. 

Making Friends - Before They Are Needed: "It's Hard to Say 'No' to a Friend"
The tendency to measure legislative “success” by simply counting the number of good bills passed and bad bills defeated can overlook other invaluable victories. John Askew, Executive Director of the SunriseArc chapter of the Arc of Florida, reminds us that true legislative success can come in a variety of shapes and forms, including nonprofits becoming friends with policymakers. 

Being Prepared Pays Off for Arkansas HIPPY Program
In 2000, the Arkansas affiliate of Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (“HIPPY”), a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit headquartered in New York, hosted HIPPY’s annual conference in Little Rock, Arkansas.  As 600 delegates from across the country gathered, word spread like wildfire through the conference hall that Arkansas’ Governor was about to slash funding for early childhood education programs.

Success Stories Featured in Make a Difference for Your Cause: Strategies for Nonprofit Engagement in Legislative Advocacy

MADD Success Story
"Across the country, everyday people just like you are making a difference in their communities and for the nation.  Find a few of their stories here."

Civic Education Legislation Passed in NC
Usually it takes a number of years to pass major legislation. The civic education legislation passed in North Carolina in 2003 was a striking exception. The measure was introduced in March of that year and became law in July of the same year. The story illustrates very clearly the importance of foundation funding of organizations that engage in advocacy. Here is how it happened.

A "Mere Mom" Moves Mountains -- And Legislation
Anna McCartney is the embodiment of Arthur Ashe’s quote: “Start where you are; use what you have; do what you can.”  This Seattle-area mom, who modestly proclaims “Gee, if I can do it, then anyone can do it,” has worked with various nonprofits to help pass legislation in Congress, the state legislature, and local governments.  And to think that it all started with a simple breakfast.

SOCIAL MOVEMENTS CASE STUDY: America's Community Mental Health Movement From 1960 - 1980
The purpose of the study is to show the enormous power of the federal government to influence social movements. ...  There are at least four, and probably more, possible [ways to use] this case study. 1) Educate students about this episode in American history. 2) Provide insight as to how a social movement began as well as progressed and digressed. 3) Provide first hand impressions about the successes and failures of the federal government, hospitals and nonprofit advocacy organizations to improve care for persons with mental illness. 4) Help anyone who is interested in government, public policy formation, politics, social movements, nonprofit advocacy, health care and social work to come to better understand this critical period in the history of mental illness, homelessness, and the great society.