Charities and nonprofit organisations in the US are increasingly reluctant to lobby policymakers and politicians, according to a new study released. 

The survey, conducted for Independent Sector, a membership organisation of nonprofits and grant makers in the US, found that less than one-third of nonprofits have actively advocated for policy issues or lobbied on specific legislation over the past five years, down from nearly three-quarters of nonprofits in 2000. 

Today, significantly fewer nonprofits know the advocacy activities they can legally do, compared to 20 years ago. 

In 2000, over half of organisations surveyed knew they could support or oppose federal legislation in the US. Today, only 32 per cent of nonprofits are aware of that fact. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statements were found in the majority of organisations. Yet only 36 per cent engage in policy activities to create more equitable systems beyond their mission statements. 

Policy-engaged nonprofits showed a greater investment of time and resources in DEI activities compared to non-policy-engaged nonprofits. 

“Advocacy represents the lifeblood of our democracy. Strengthening advocacy from across the nonprofit sector is vital for the ongoing health and security of our nation, particularly in the context of ensuring that our nation lives up to its deepest ideals and everyone is able to thrive,” says Reverend Adam Taylor, president of Sojourners, a Christian social justice organisation in the US.  

Suzanne McCormick, CEO of the YMCA of the USA, says nonprofits must engage in advocacy to “help solve critical social issues”, adding that the whole sector must engage with more effective lobbying to drive “real change”.

Shafi Musaddique is a news editor at Alliance magazine.