Principles & Practices

From the start, CLPI intended for the principles and practices to be useful to nonprofits in their core work, not just an intellectual exercise or research project.  Further, we see them as (1) aspirational - we know that no single nonprofit will excel at all of the practices at every moment, and (2) invitational - not the basis for standardization or certification.

Thus, we invite nonprofit lobbyists and advocates to use the following principles and practices to benchmark and continuously improve their own efforts to advance public interests and improve public policy. Consider incorporating them into strategic planning, staff and volunteer training, and other organizational capacity building, as well as opportunities for dialogue with coalition partners, constituents, board members and other stakeholders. You can use the accompanying benchmarking chart to help you outline your progress and next steps for applying these Smart and Ethical Principles and Practices in Public Interest lobbying.

Read Chronicle of Philanthropy Opinion Piece on Public Interest Lobbying Principles